Democrats on the judiciary committee took the uncommon step after Mr Barr refused to publish an unredacted model of the exceptional counsel's findings.
President Donald Trump has hit back by putting forward executive privilege over the report, protective it from public view.
The White House and Congress accused every different of abusing power.
Why was once there a contempt vote?
The judiciary committee voted 24-16 along birthday celebration lines on Wednesday to refer a contempt quotation in opposition to the legal professional typical for a full House vote.
Democratic lawmakers put forward the measure after Mr Barr did no longer comply with a legal order to release the Mueller document minus the redactions.
The 448-page document was once launched last month with components blacked out, consisting of statistics that is categorized or linked to pending investigations.
The unique assistance did not conclude there was once a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
Image caption Chairman Nadler has criticised the Trump administration's efforts to "stonewall Congress"
But Mr Mueller specific 10 situations where Mr Trump perhaps tried to hinder the investigation.
Democrats say they need to see the full file and its underlying evidence to look at feasible obstruction of justice by means of Mr Trump.
House judiciary chairman Jerrold Nadler stated formerly that the Trump administration's refusal to provide the full Mueller record to Congress amounts to a "constitutional crisis".
The New York Democrat stated his birthday party had had "no choice" but to cross ahead with the contempt vote, "otherwise, we have a monarchy".
But Doug Collins, a leading Republican on the committee, stated Democrats had been acting out of anger and worry "without any valid legislative reason".
Could the attorney customary be charged?
For Mr Barr to definitely face the prospect of charges, the whole House - where Democrats hold a 235-197 majority over Republicans - would have to vote against him.
The measure may additionally be largely symbolic as few assume the Department of Justice to indict its personal head with criminal contempt.
However, it would send a effective message to the White House that congressional Democrats won't turn away in an an increasing number of vitriolic showdown.
Mr Barr is the first attorney generic held in contempt of Congress because the Obama administration's Eric Holder in 2012.
Image caption President Trump has insisted the Mueller Report absolves him of any wrong-doing in his election campaign
How did the White House respond?
The White House earlier on Wednesday accused Democrats of a "blatant abuse of power" and blocked get admission to to the full Mueller document by way of claiming "executive privilege".
Executive privilege approves a president to keep sure substances non-public if disclosing them would disrupt the confidentiality of the Oval Office decision-making process.
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the president had taken such a step at the attorney general's request to reject "unlawful and reckless demands" by means of Democrats.
She added in a statement: "They did not like the results of the [Mueller] report, and now they favor a redo."
The judiciary committee chairman argued the White House used to be misapplying the doctrine of govt privilege.
Mr Nadler said: "This decision represents a clear escalation in the Trump administration's blanket defiance of Congress's constitutionally mandated duties."
Media captionThe Mueller document - in 60 seconds
Will Robert Mueller testify?
The House Judiciary Committee has formally requested that Mr Mueller testify, even though a date has now not been set.
The distinctive counsel is nevertheless a Department of Justice employee, which capability the lawyer popular could stop him from testifying.
Mr Barr has beforehand said he would now not thinking Mr Mueller testifying earlier than Congress.
Mr Trump, however, has stated the exceptional counsel have to no longer testify, tweeting: "No redos for the Dems!"
When Mr Mueller originally passed in his report, a spokesman stated he would be leaving the department "within the coming days".
If he does quit, he will emerge as a personal citizen and in a position to testify regardless of the department's wishes.
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