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\n House Republicans are scheduled Wednesday<\/a> to vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over the audio recordings of President Joe Biden\u2019s interviews with former special\u00a0counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden\u2019s handling of classified material and\u00a0declined<\/a>\u00a0to bring charges.\n <\/p>\n \n The vote marks a major escalation in a monthslong dispute over the recordings between House Republicans and the executive branch that came after Biden\u00a0asserted<\/a>\u00a0executive privilege over the files.\n <\/p>\n \n Holding the nation\u2019s top law enforcement officer in contempt would build on Republican allegations that the Justice Department has been weaponized against conservatives, claims that have been particularly ratcheted up in the wake of former President Donald Trump\u2019s conviction in New York for falsifying business records.\n <\/p>\n \n Through their subpoena fight with the Justice Department,\u00a0House\u00a0Republicans have argued that the audio recordings are crucial to their impeachment inquiry into Biden, which remains\u00a0stalled<\/a>\u00a0as the prospects of the investigation ending in impeachment are increasingly unlikely.\n <\/p>\n \n House GOP leadership\u00a0said Tuesday evening that they were confident they have the votes in their narrow majority to hold Garland in contempt, but they have been working behind the scenes to lock down their members ahead of Wednesday\u2019s floor vote.\n <\/p>\n \n A handful of House Republicans have privately voiced concerns about supporting the contempt resolution, raising questions whether the conference with its narrow majority will have the votes to pass it, a source familiar told CNN. Still, House Republicans announced Tuesday evening that the vote would go forward Wednesday.\n <\/p>\n