House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is battling some reluctant moderate Republicans as he considers pushing for an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
McCarthy has vowed to hold a floor vote if he decides to pursue an investigation into the Biden family’s overseas business dealings — and could only afford to lose four Republican complaints.
“For me, as far as prosecution is concerned, we’re not there yet,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) to CNN in a clip that aired Sunday. “It’s not about focusing on prosecution, it’s a question, do the facts and evidence warrant any further action.”
Lawler had one of the narrowest congressional election victories of the 2022 cycle and faces a competitive re-election in 2024.
He didn’t look alone.
“I think before we continue [an] impeachment inquiry … should be directly related to the president in some evidence,” Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said in a recent interview with The Hill. “I think we need to have more concrete evidence to go down that road.”
An unnamed Republican lawmaker, referring to House members pushing for the investigation, told Fox News last week, “I don’t think they have the votes to get it,”‘
Speaker McCarthy on Friday said he would have the vote to formally open an impeachment inquiry into Biden. But some swing district Republicans aren’t ready to support it. “We’re not there yet,” Mike Lawler said. He could only lose four GOP votes. More than today @dalampolitik pic.twitter.com/nHehXxFJB0
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 3, 2023
Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy asked the press before Congress to break for a break for underestimating him.AFP via Getty Images
So far, it is unclear how many arrests there are in the impeachment inquiry, which is a separate process from the official impeachment of the president.
Republicans who vote against the investigation will face the uncomfortable political position of having to defend Biden.
In theory, the speaker could skip the tradition of holding a floor vote to start a formal investigation, similar to what former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif.) did to former President Donald Trump.
But McCarthy seems to be dismissing that.
“To open an impeachment inquiry is a serious matter, and House Republicans will not take it lightly or use it for political purposes,” McCarthy told Breitbart News in a statement. “Therefore, if we move forward with the impeachment inquiry, it will happen through a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives and not through a declaration by one person.”
The White House has ripped Republicans for toying with the impeachment inquiry into President Biden.REUTERS
McCarthy has not publicly committed to opening an impeachment inquiry but has reportedly hinted behind the scenes he could proceed as soon as the end of the month.
“The credible thing is whether we’re doing an impeachment inquiry — give us the documents we’re asking for,” McCarthy told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow last month, referring to Biden. “The whole determination here is how Biden handles this.”
“If they give us the document, there is no need for a dismissal investigation. But if they withhold documents and fight like they are now to not give the American public what they deserve to know, we will be moving forward with an impeachment inquiry when we come back into session.”
Further complicating matters was the government shutdown struggle McCarthy faced.
McCarthy opted for a short-term stopgap measure known as a continuing resolution to keep government funding in September.
If Congress fails to act, the government will shut down in October, when the next fiscal year begins.
But some conservative members of his caucus are asking for concessions on the two issues. For example, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) demanded McCarthy hold an impeachment inquiry vote in exchange for funding the government.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has cut off House Speaker McCarthy’s lifeline during past battles for the speakership and the debt ceiling.Shutterstock
Tonight, I made an announcement directly to my constituents at my Floyd County Town Hall.
I will not vote to fund the government if Congress does not do this:
– Vote for Impeachment Investigation of Joe Biden– Reject the use of weapons by the Biden government– Eliminate all COVID vaccines and… pic.twitter.com/2WXd4CrV7R
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene?? (@RepMTG) August 31, 2023
House Republicans have been eyeing the Biden family’s foreign business dealings. AP
Still, much of the GOP House caucus appears to be on track with the impeachment inquiry.
“I think there is a consensus in our conference now that we need to go to an impeachment inquiry. Obviously, that would be Speaker McCarthy’s call,” Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week.
“I feel like that’s going to happen.”
Comer has been a key figure in the House GOP investigation into the Biden family’s foreign business dealings, which will be the basis for impeachment.
Given the Republican majority of 222 to 212, McCarthy could only afford to lose four votes if all members of the lower house were present.
The House is scheduled to return to session next week.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
