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Republicans in the US House voted Wednesday to formally authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, escalating a probe that has been underway for several months.
The 221 to 212 party-line vote sets up a high-profile clash between Congress and the White House as the 2024 election approaches. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has urged GOP lawmakers to step up the impeachment inquiry against Biden.
The investigation has focused on Biden family finances and business dealings of the president’s son, Hunter, and other relatives. Biden immediately denounced the inquiry as a “baseless” attack.
“It’s time to get the American people answers,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, who argues the formal approval will give congressional committees investigating Biden and his family greater legal authority to enforce subpoenas.
The vote came just hours after the president’s son, Hunter Biden challenged House Republicans to allow him to testify publicly on his business dealings but refused to comply with investigators’ subpoena for a scheduled closed-door deposition.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said he’s moving toward contempt of Congress proceedings for the president’s son.
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