Reporter's Notebook: Rand Paul's contempt vote crusade could be doomed despite Fauci pleading Fifth 111 times

Contempt of Congress must go before the entire Senate. It takes a simple majority to hold someone in contempt. But such a resolution must clear one filibuster, requiring 60 yeas.

WATCH: FAUCI ATTORNEY EJECTED FROM SENATE HEARING AFTER CHAOTIC EXCHANGE: 'YOU ARE NOT RECOGNIZED!'

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 03: Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic at the Rayburn House Office Building on June 03, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Subcommittee is holding a hearing on the findings from a fifteen month Republican-led probe of former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci and the COVID-19 pandemic's origins. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Thus, it’s doubtful Fauci is held in contempt.

Even if the Senate broke the filibuster, the Senate must approve a separate resolution to make a criminal referral to Department of Justice (DOJ).

That would face at least one filibuster, again entailing 60 affirmative votes.

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It is more common for the House to hold someone in contempt compared to the Senate. The Senate last successfully held someone in contempt in 1971.