The United States House of Representatives conducted a vote on Wednesday to officially authorize an inquiry into the potential impeachment of President Joe Biden. The Republican-controlled chamber approved the investigation with a party-line vote of 221-212, focusing on whether Biden improperly benefited from his son Hunter Biden’s international business dealings. Hunter Biden, at 53 years old, had previously declined an invitation to testify in closed-door sessions.
The White House has dismissed the investigation, deeming it politically motivated and lacking evidence. President Biden, anticipating a potential 2024 election rematch with Trump, is preparing for the upcoming political battle. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, with two impeachments in his history and facing four impending criminal trials, holds the distinction of being the first U.S. president to undergo impeachment proceedings twice.
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that there are sufficient votes to initiate the impeachment inquiry.
“He just told us that … Thursday,” Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said of Johnson in comments to Reuters after leaving a closed-door meeting with the Republican conference on Monday.
Reuters went on to claim that “House Republicans have so far failed to produce evidence tying Biden’s actions as vice president to his son’s businesses,” which is false, per GOP lawmakers.
🚨BREAKING: The House Has Passed the Impeachment Inquiry Resolution.
With this vote, we are now in better legal standing to fight the White House’s obstruction.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) December 13, 2023