This new book examines the source of the congressional contempt power, briefly reviews the historical development of early court decisions, outlines the statutory and constitutional limitations on the contempt power, and analyses the procedures associated with each of the three different types of contempt proceedings (inherent contempt, statutory criminal contempt and statutory civil contempt) which can be employed. Also touched upon are the special procedural and constitutional problems encountered when the contempt power is used against an executive branch official. Contents: Preface; Introduction; the Power to Investigate; The Investigatory and Contempt Powers: Early History; Inherent Contempt; Statutory Criminal Contempt; Statutory Civil Contempt; Non-Constitutional Limitations; Constitutional Limitations; Contempt by an Executive Branch Official: Executive Privilege and Precedents; Contempt by an Executive Branch Official: Problems and Alternatives; Index.