Capitol Hill lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed mixed reactions to a possible impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden.
Appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity” on July 24, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) talked about the FBI document, or FD-1023, alleging that Mr. Biden took payments from abroad while he was vice president through shell companies and that this information wouldn’t have been known from whistleblowers were the Republicans not in the majority in the House. Mr. McCarthy said that information rises “to the level of impeachment inquiry, which provides Congress the strongest power to get the rest of the knowledge and information needed.”
Mr. McCarthy went on to lament that Mr. Biden “has used something we have not seen since Richard Nixon: use the weaponization of government to benefit his family and deny Congress the ability to have the oversight.”
Mr. McCarthy doubled down on his threat on July 25.
On July 25, House members gave reactions to a possible impeachment inquiry ranging from supportive to objecting.
“If anybody needs to be impeached, it’s President Biden, but we also have to look to 2024 and get the White House again. So there’s several pitches being thrown at us. We want to make sure we hit the right one at the right time,” said Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), who went on to say he would support such an inquiry due to the border crisis.
“It certainly seems like it’s moving in that direction,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.).
“I mean, everything that we’re uncovering is becoming increasingly disturbing,” she continued. “Every day there’s more information that shows that this president is involved in an influence-peddling scheme and the [difference is] Republicans are actually getting facts, we’re disclosing, and we’re going to follow those facts where they lead.
“And if it leads to impeachment, then that’s where it goes. But I think at the end of the day, it’s about being responsible. And making sure we provide transparency for the American people, get this information out there in the public, and do what we need to do to hold this family accountable to support an impeachment inquiry.”
Nonetheless, Ms. Malliotakis would not say whether she would support such an inquiry.
“It’s nonsense. For one, I mean, everything’s conspiracy, conspiracy around here now, and from them, and I’m not surprised that they would say something like this, but I also think it’s the flank and the Republican Party that is now driving their bus,” said Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.).
“I don’t support that,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), referring to a possible impeachment inquiry.
“It hasn’t risen to a point of impeachment,” he added.
Senators who talked to The Epoch Times on July 25 expressed reactions ranging from being unaware to disapproving.
“I’ve not heard anything about it,” said Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) “So I don’t have a context we'll have to see what it’s about.”
“I don’t know much about it,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) blasted the possibility of a possible impeachment inquiry of the president.
“It would be a big waste of time, but maybe they don’t have anything more productive, I don’t know,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
“I’m focused on our military readiness and preparedness, and I’m hopeful that the House will focus on the real work and very important work that we have as a nation to meet the needs of agencies that require appropriations and our military budget,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
On the other hand, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed support for such an inquiry.
“All for it,” he said, adding that Mr. Biden is “corrupt” and “doesn’t deserve to be president.”
“I’m in the Senate so I’m not involved with that,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) declined to comment.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told reporters that “evidence is mounting enormously” against Mr. Biden.
“And if the allegations in the FD-1023 are supported by the evidence [then] to begin impeachment proceedings on Joe Biden,” he said.
“Now, at this point, those are allegations that’s not conclusively proven,” continued Mr. Cruz. “But if those facts are accurate that is unquestionably impeachable conduct, receiving a bribe from a foreign national it’s not even high crimes or misdemeanors.
“Under the text of the Constitution impeachment lies for treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors and the allegations that, on their face, appear serious and credible. If the evidence backs it up, accepting a $5 million bribe from a foreign national for official government favors not only merits but demands impeachment.”
“I don’t think there’s a single Democrat that cares. I have yet to see a Democrat House member [or] a Democrat Senator express even the tiniest concern over whether the sitting president of the United States received a multimillion-dollar bribe from a foreign national,” added Mr. Cruz.
Mr. Cruz noted that even though the bribery allegation stems from when Mr. Biden was vice president, the Democrats also wanted to impeach former president Donald Trump over something he did before becoming president.
