The House has now held Lois Lerner in contempt.  The principal sanction under existing practice derives from a criminal statute, but this sanction requires Eric Holder’s Department of Justice to prosecute Lerner. That seems exceedingly unlikely. Thus, many assume that there will be no consequences for Lerner’s contempt and no incentive for Lerner to testify. But the House has other options. It can seek a civil contempt ruling from a federal judge, but this option has a significant disadvantage – the ruling might not be enforced by the end of the existing Congress and therefore would require a new authorization by the…

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