House GOP Considers Impeachment Inquiry Vote on President Biden
In a recent memo, the White House has suggested that if the House GOP proceeds with a vote authorizing an impeachment inquiry of President Biden, it would indicate that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is "truly calling the shots."
This memo is part of the White House's ongoing effort to link the push for an impeachment inquiry to the more conservative members of the Republican Party, such as Greene, a vocal supporter of former President Trump.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) (Twitter)
The potential vote on an impeachment inquiry poses a dilemma for GOP lawmakers representing districts won by President Biden. The memo serves as a warning that the White House and Democrats could use votes on the inquiry as a political weapon against these lawmakers.
Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight, emphasized that while Greene may be advocating for the House to proceed with an impeachment inquiry, many House Republicans have already stated that the evidence does not support such proceedings.
Sams pointed out that American citizens already overwhelmingly believe that House Republicans are focusing on the wrong priorities. A vote in favor of Greene's favored course of action would further strengthen the perception that she wields significant influence within the more extreme wing of the House Republican conference.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has indicated that a vote to open an inquiry is forthcoming, after previous Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) chose not to hold a formal floor vote to initiate the inquiry.
The memo, obtained exclusively by The Hill, highlights the stance of some House Republicans who have expressed skepticism regarding the need for formal impeachment proceedings.
Rep. Ken Buck (Colo.) wrote an op-ed outlining his belief that there is insufficient evidence to support impeachment, while Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.) made a similar comment. The memo also references a report from The Washington Post, which stated that Johnson had indicated that there is currently insufficient evidence to initiate formal impeachment proceedings.
Sams drew attention to a survey conducted by Impact Research in November, which found that 68 percent of Americans believe that Republicans are prioritizing the wrong issues.
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The White House's increased pushback comes as House Republicans consider the possibility of solidifying their impeachment inquiry by holding a formal vote on the matter.
Last week, Sams refuted claims made by Republicans that the White House has hindered the investigation, stating that the administration has reached out to House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) through letters, offering to hold meetings or further discussions.
Sams also noted that President Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has offered to provide testimony and even offered to testify publicly.