On Monday, resolutions were released by the House Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary Committees, recommending that Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, be held in contempt of Congress.
The resolutions and accompanying reports suggest that Hunter Biden defied congressional subpoenas by failing to attend a closed-door deposition on December 13. The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees are now urging the House to hold him in contempt for this defiance.
The Oversight Committee report states, "Mr. Bidens testimony is a critical component of the impeachment inquiry into, among other things, whether Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as Vice President and/or President: (1) took any official action or effected any change in government policy because of money or other things of value provided to himself or his family; (2) abused his office of public trust by providing foreign interests with access to him and his office in exchange for payments to his family or him; or (3) abused his office of public trust by knowingly participating in a scheme to enrich himself or his family by giving foreign interests the impression that they would receive access to him and his office in exchange for payments to his family or him." The report from the House Judiciary Committee echoes these sentiments.
The Oversight report further criticizes Hunter Biden's actions, stating, "Mr. Bidens flagrant defiance of the Committees deposition subpoenaswhile choosing to appear nearby on the Capitol grounds to read a prepared statement on the same mattersis contemptuous, and he must be held accountable for his unlawful actions." The report recommends that Congress find Hunter Biden in contempt for his failure to comply with the Committee subpoena issued to him.
On the day of the deposition, Hunter Biden opted to hold a press conference outside of Capitol Hill, where he read prepared remarks. Following this, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan announced their intention to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against him.
During his press conference, Hunter Biden stated, "Let me state as clearly as I can: My father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma. Not in my partnership with a Chinese private businessman. Not my investments at home nor abroad and certainly not as an artist." He also reiterated his willingness to testify publicly instead of attending the closed-door session.
Comer and Jordan, along with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, are leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The House Republicans voted on December 13 to formalize this inquiry.
The Judiciary and Oversight Committees announced on Friday that they will hold markups on January 10 to consider the committees respective resolutions and reports.
Login