A formal impeachment investigation cannot be initiated without a vote in the House of Representatives. It was not brought to the floor by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to make it official when he announced the investigation into President Joe Biden. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who succeeded him, plans to alter that.
Johnson indicated Republicans will vote on whether to initiate a formal impeachment investigation during a press conference he conducted on December 5. He clarified that the vote would not be to remove the president from office, but rather to let lawmakers to “continue the inquiry of impeachment, and that’s a necessary constitutional step.” With the support of every Republican, the speaker expected to approve the measure.
Republicans have been reluctant to put the investigation to a vote due to the fact that not all moderate Republicans back it. Particularly at risk are the representatives whose districts Biden won in 2020. Conservatives may find solace in Johnson’s decision to emphasize that the vote was merely on whether or not to move forward with the investigation, as this seems to be the standard procedure.
Johnson cited a November 17 letter from Richard Sauber, a special counsel to the president, who slammed Republicans for continuing to call it an “impeachment inquiry” and issuing subpoenas. Sauber pointed out that under the Constitution, they need the entire House to authorize the inquiry “before a committee may utilize compulsory process pursuant to the impeachment power.”
Republicans have leveled accusations that President Joe Biden’s son Hunter and brother James received financial support from the Biden family. According to banking records, Hunter paid two payments to his father for a car loan, but the GOP believes they were for evil. On “Meet the Press NOW,” host Ryan Nobles got into an angry argument with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) on the topic. James sent the president another three-figure sum. Supposedly, that was for a different debt. The Republican Party is keen in investigating the finances.
