On Friday, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reportedly put an end to speculation that Republicans may proceed without a House vote by stating that he would only launch a formal impeachment investigation into Vice President Biden with a unanimous vote.
“To open an impeachment inquiry is a serious matter, and House Republicans would not take it lightly or use it for political purposes. The American people deserve to be heard on this matter through their elected representatives.That’s why, if we move forward with an impeachment inquiry, it would occur through a vote on the floor of the People’s House and not through a declaration by one person.” McCarthy said in a statement he gave to Breitbart.
McCarthy’s comments come in response to a CNN report from Monday that said Republicans explored whether they could advance an impeachment investigation without a vote by the entire House in order to circumvent a lack of GOP support.
Despite McCarthy’s assertion that an impeachment investigation is a natural step forward in the House GOP’s inquiries into Biden and his family’s international financial connections, several moderate members have objected, claiming that there is not enough proof to support that action.
A vote is not necessary to approve an investigation according to the Constitution.
However, refusing to cast a vote would go against McCarthy’s position from 2019, when he urged Democrats to cast a formal vote to sanction an investigation into former President Trump’s impeachment.
A unanimous vote in the House would also help McCarthy demonstrate broad conference support and strengthen the legal case that impeachment may enable Republicans to demand more evidence from the Biden administration in court.
A majority of the members of the chamber would have to vote in favor of any impeachment inquiry.
If all members vote in favor of authorizing an impeachment probe, McCarthy would need just four GOP votes to lose because of the narrow House majority and the anticipated unanimous opposition from House Democrats.
Republicans have not demonstrated that Biden directly benefited from those commercial activities while he was vice president or made policy decisions based on his family’s enterprises, according to the White House, which has stated that Biden was not involved in his family’s business dealings.
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