United States: Republicans in the US House have voted to formally approve an impeachment inquiry into President, Mr. Joe Biden, over his family’s finances.
The whole House Republican conference officially endorsed an impeachment procedure with a party-line vote of 221-212. The Constitution describes the charges as “high crimes and misdemeanors,” and if proven guilty can lead to removal from office.
The investigation has focused on Mr. Biden’s family finances and the business dealings of the President’s son, Mr. Hunter, and other relatives.
Mr. Biden stated that, “Instead of doing anything to help make Americans’ lives better, they are focused on attacking me with lies.”
“Instead of doing their job on the urgent work that needs to be done, they are choosing to waste time on this baseless political stunt that even Republicans in Congress admit is not supported by facts,” Mr. Biden added.
The investigation, which has been ongoing for months, will last well into the 2024 election season when Mr. Biden will be running for reelection.
Republican presidential front-runner, Mr. Donald Trump, has called on GOP (Grand Old Party) lawmakers to step up the impeachment inquiry against Mr. Biden.
The vote takes place at a time when Mr. Biden is struggling with the humiliating allegations made against his son Mr. Hunter Biden, who has been charged with numerous counts of tax evasion.
“We do not take this responsibility lightly and will not prejudge the investigation’s outcome. But the evidentiary record is impossible to ignore,” US Speaker, Mr. Mike Johnson, and his leadership team said in a joint statement.