Making laws
contempt of Congress
The sanction for defying a congressional subpoena. Three routes exist: criminal referral to the Justice Department, a civil suit, and the long-dormant inherent contempt power.
In full
A chamber may vote to hold a witness in contempt for refusing to appear, testify, or produce documents. Criminal contempt is referred to the U.S. Attorney, who has discretion whether to prosecute, which makes it weak against an administration's own officials. Civil enforcement asks a court to order compliance, slower but not dependent on the executive. Inherent contempt, in which the chamber detains the witness itself, has not been used since 1935.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.