WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci moved one step closer to a potential criminal prosecution Thursday after a Republican-led Senate committee voted to hold the former White House COVID adviser in contempt of Congress for repeatedly refusing to answer questions during last week’s hearing. Republicans sought answers about U.S.-funded gain-of-function research, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, COVID-19’s origins and Fauci’s previous congressional testimony. Democratic members introduced several motions to delay the vote, including one offering Fauci immunity from federal prosecution if he agreed to testify, but each failed. The resolution authorizes Vice President JD Vance, in his role as president of the Senate, to certify the committee’s report for referral to the Justice Department. Fauci’s attorney called the vote a politically motivated attempt to punish his client for exercising his constitutional rights.