The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly refused to comply with a subpoena request for an investigative document known as FD-1023 from the House Oversight Committee. Congressman James Comer (R-KY), the committee’s ranking member, had extended the deadline for the FBI to respond on Tuesday, but the bureau continued to refuse to provide the requested information. In response, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) declared that he will hold Director Christopher Wray in contempt if he continues to refuse to cooperate.

The precise contents of FD-1023 are unknown, but Comer has suggested that it contains information about a bribery scandal involving Burisma Holdings – a Ukrainian gas company where Hunter Biden served on the board for several years during his father Joe’s tenure as Vice President. Congressional Republicans have accused Democrats of ignoring alleged misconduct by President Trump while attempting to uncover “dirt” on the Bidens, while Democrats have maintained that there is no evidence that any policy decisions were influenced by interests other than those of the United States.

In defending its refusal to release FD-1023, the FBI argued that such disclosure could potentially jeopardize ongoing investigations and endanger lives. White House spokesperson Ian Sams also tweeted earlier this month that “House Republicans have shown no evidence of any policy decisions influenced by anything other than U.S. national interests.” McCarthy responded by maintaining that names should be redacted from relevant documents in order to protect confidential sources and methods, but emphasized his intention to enforce congressional oversight regarding this matter.

If Congress were to approve criminal contempt charges against Wray, prosecutors could pursue fines and up to one year in prison for him if they decide to take action. While Republicans are increasingly concerned about the FBI, with their worry exacerbated by John Durham’s recently released report, some lawmakers have suggested defunding the agency as an additional form of recourse.

Regardless, Comer remains committed to bringing transparency to the issue: “Americans deserve the truth, and the Oversight Committee will continue to demand transparency from this nation’s chief law enforcement agency,” he asserted. Time will tell whether Wray will comply or if McCarthy will follow through with his threat of contempt charges against him for refusal.