The recent proposition from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to initiate an impeachment inquiry into President Biden has met with uncertainty from Senate Republicans. Some have cautioned against a precedent set by Democrats which, in their view, degraded the impeachment process during former President Donald Trump’s tenure.
“There needs to be a strong case,” stated Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., during a Tuesday press briefing. “It requires substantial evidence and a structured process to accumulate such evidence if not already present.”
He further added, “Their remarks suggest they have, or believe they possess, evidence that could meet the high standards of high crimes and misdemeanors. However, as I’ve said before, the most effective route to change the presidency is through winning the election… It would be more beneficial for us to provide reasons why we should hold the majority in the House, the Senate, and the White House after January 2025.”
In a recent interview on “Hannity,” McCarthy raised the idea of an impeachment inquiry into Biden, stating that “this is escalating to the point of an impeachment inquiry.” He suggested that the evidence unveiled through House committee investigations into the president might warrant a full-scale inquiry to further scrutinize the purported corruption within the Biden family.
“There are claims from IRS whistleblowers and informants regarding the government’s differing treatment of the Bidens and potential bribes involving the Biden family. Are we to disregard this, or should we probe into it?” McCarthy asked reporters on Tuesday. “The only way to investigate this is through an impeachment inquiry, which grants the committee the power to access all the necessary documents.”
Nonetheless, Senate Republicans didn’t seem enthused about the possibility of witnessing a third presidential impeachment in a four-year span.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, remarked, “Impeachments seem to have become a trend here, haven’t they?” When asked whether this was a positive development, he replied, “No, it’s not. Unfortunately, what goes around comes around. The revelations about the Biden family business from the House are indeed alarming, but the Senate doesn’t have any involvement in that.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., stated, “I will reserve judgment until they present their evidence. However, we must carry out our due diligence. The last two impeachments have devalued the process, and we don’t want to make the same mistake.”
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., noted there were ongoing serious concerns about the Biden family, including what President Biden knew about his son Hunter’s overseas business transactions and whether he profited from them. Nonetheless, Kennedy stated that mere political differences should not constitute grounds for an impeachment.
“Impeachment, especially of a president, should only occur if there is compelling evidence of high crimes or misdemeanors,” stated Kennedy. “I will not support impeaching someone just because I disagree with their politics.”
Impeachment is a process initiated by the House, but removal from office only occurs if two-thirds of the Senate votes to convict the president.
Securing an impeachment through the House could be challenging given McCarthy’s slim GOP majority. Additionally, it would put significant pressure on his most moderate members in districts that supported Biden if impeachment were brought to the floor. Like the two Trump impeachments, it’s improbable the Senate would vote to convict Biden, given its Democratic majority and the supermajority vote required for removal.
However, at least one Senate Republican, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., seemed in favor of additional investigatory powers for the House in its scrutiny of the Biden family.
“I believe we are nearing a point where a committee may need to be established to launch an impeachment inquiry solely for the purpose of investigation, especially given the White House’s lack of cooperation,” Hawley commented. “The American people have a right to know if their president is corrupt.”
Yet, even Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a leading voice in investigating President Biden and Hunter Biden, clarified in a floor speech about evidence detailing an alleged bribery against the president that his primary concern was federal law enforcement.
“My oversight focus is, and will remain, ensuring the Justice Department and the FBI are held accountable to explain their actions and findings to the American public,” Grassley said.
