House Republicans have decided to recommend a Biden impeachment resolution to two committees rather than pushing for an immediate vote. The resolution, proposed by Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, will be directed to both the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees for review. This move allows the Republicans to postpone a divisive internal debate over the impeachment.
The decision came after the House Rules Committee met unexpectedly with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. McCarthy had advised Republicans in a private gathering earlier to send the resolution through the committee system, emphasizing its significance. This strategy permits GOP members who were hesitant about impeaching President Joe Biden to support the resolution’s review by committees, sparing them a direct vote on the impeachment that could have political repercussions in the upcoming primaries.
McCarthy, when questioned about this approach, commented that it was beneficial for all involved. Meanwhile, Boebert pointed out that her goal was to compel the House to act on its responsibilities.
Boebert had initially planned to use a privileged resolution to push for an impeachment vote. Though the House will address the resolution as planned, the emphasis will be on its referral to the committees. Boebert has warned that she would persistently present a privileged resolution if the committees don’t act on her terms.
While McCarthy was previously critical of the Democrats’ speedy efforts to impeach President Donald Trump, he is now cautioning Republicans about hastening the impeachment process for Biden. He clarified that rushing the impeachment could impede ongoing investigations into Biden.
Several House committees are currently investigating Biden. Boebert, known for her conservative stance and criticisms of McCarthy, took many by surprise when she presented her impeachment articles. She later voiced her concerns about Biden’s actions on the southern border.
Some in the GOP believe that the resolution might not secure sufficient Republican votes. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska shared that he believes the impeachment process should undergo committee scrutiny and indicated his inclination to support setting aside Boebert’s resolution.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky praised Boebert’s efforts, suggesting she could have influenced the vote’s direction if she chose. Additionally, this resolution aligns with broader GOP efforts to challenge their political rivals. For instance, a resolution by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida to censure Adam Schiff, a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment, was approved. Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has been at odds with Boebert, accused Boebert of replicating her own impeachment articles against Biden.
In response to Greene’s accusations, Boebert retorted that she wasn’t in “middle school.”
