Biden-district GOPs show backing for impeachment inquiry despite political dangers
House Republicans Consider Impeachment Inquiry into President Biden
House Republicans are poised to greenlight an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden this week, despite the possibility that it may not uncover any high crimes or misdemeanors. This puts vulnerable GOP members in a tough spot as they face a crucial election cycle.
The House is set to vote on Wednesday to formalize the impeachment inquiry into Biden, which is part of the GOP’s ongoing investigation into alleged influence peddling by his family members. This vote will force lawmakers to take a stance on escalating the investigation, a politically risky move for Republicans running for reelection in districts that Biden won in 2020.
Vulnerable Republicans Support Advancing the Inquiry
Several vulnerable Republicans in Biden-won districts have stated that they will vote to advance the inquiry. They clarify that this does not mean they support impeachment itself, but rather believe that formalizing the inquiry will grant them more power to gather evidence. They argue that the White House’s refusal to comply with congressional requests can be countered by having a formal impeachment inquiry.
Representative Marc Molinaro (R-NY) emphasizes that the president should comply with subpoenas, stating, ”It doesn’t seem that they are, so the most appropriate step for the House to assert oversight is to continue the inquiry.”
Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) acknowledges that the investigation may not uncover evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors, but believes it is important for voters to know the truth. He states, “I think the voters deserve to know what did the Bidens do with $25 million. Where did it come in from? Where did it go? I think the voters should know what’s going on.”
Vote to Formalize the Inquiry
The upcoming vote marks the first time the House will officially vote on the impeachment inquiry. Previously, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy unilaterally approved the investigation, sparing vulnerable GOP members from taking a stance on the matter. However, newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson seeks to hold a vote to formalize the proceedings and counter arguments that the investigation lacks constitutional legitimacy.
Representative Don Bacon believes that a formal impeachment inquiry is necessary if the president is not providing information and using the lack of a vote as an excuse. He states, “That means we need to have one.”
Political Risks and Public Opinion
The vote comes at a critical time, with 44% of voters in GOP-held districts that voted for Biden stating that they would be less likely to vote for a member of Congress who supports the impeachment inquiry. Only 24% said they would be more likely to back them. This poses a challenge for vulnerable Republicans who may face backlash from their constituents.
Representative Don Bacon acknowledges that an impeachment vote would have a different impact, stating, “With the information we have now, you wouldn’t get a single Democrat vote. It would just die in the Senate. Whatever party pushes on impeachment loses seats. And so we’d be the minority if we do it with the current information we have. You got to have high crimes and misdemeanors. We should do it right, play this by the book.”
Democrats have consistently pushed back against Republican impeachment efforts, arguing that there is no evidence to implicate the president in any crime. They view the ongoing inquiry as a waste of time.
Other Republicans emphasize that opening an inquiry does not automatically lead to impeachment. They assert that due process allows for all possibilities depending on the evidence and testimony presented.
The House will vote on the impeachment inquiry just before adjourning for the holidays, with no plans to return until next year. This vote will be a significant test of Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership, as he can only afford to lose three GOP votes if all members are present.
What potential political consequences do House Republicans need to carefully consider when deciding on their vote for the impeachment inquiry
Wever, with the vote on Wednesday, all members of the House will be forced to make their positions known.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has stated that he opposes the impeachment inquiry and has urged his fellow Republicans to do the same. He argues that the investigation is a distraction from more pressing issues, such as inflation, the border crisis, and rising crime rates. McCarthy emphasizes the need for Republicans to stay focused on these issues in order to regain control of the House in the next election cycle.
On the other hand, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other Democratic leaders have dismissed the impeachment inquiry as a partisan witch hunt. They argue that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden or his family members and that Republicans are simply trying to undermine his presidency. Pelosi states that the focus should be on passing legislation that benefits the American people, rather than engaging in divisive and fruitless investigations.
The Political Ramifications
The decision to advance the impeachment inquiry will undoubtedly have political ramifications, especially for vulnerable GOP members in Biden-won districts. These members will not only face scrutiny from their Democratic opponents but also from their Republican base, which may view their support for the inquiry as a betrayal of the party.
However, voting against the inquiry may also come with its own risks. If GOP members in these districts choose not to support the investigation, they may face accusations of covering up potential wrongdoing by the president. This could alienate independent and moderate voters, who may see their lack of support for the inquiry as a lack of accountability.
Overall, the decision to advance the impeachment inquiry into President Biden poses a difficult dilemma for House Republicans. They must carefully consider the potential political consequences of their vote while also weighing the importance of oversight and transparency in government. Ultimately, the outcome of the vote on Wednesday will have far-reaching implications for the future of the impeachment process and the political landscape as a whole.
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