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Thus, a person called to testify before Congress can refuse if they believe the government could use the testimony against them in criminal proceedings. To render the protections against self-incrimination ineffective, Congress can provide immunity from criminal prosecution.
Witnesses in congressional hearings who make false statements under oath can be prosecuted for perjury, a criminal offense. But at the same time, witnesses in legislative hearings are covered by a common-law privilege that is analogous to the legal privilege that protects witnesses in judicial proceedings.