House Judiciary and Oversight Committee chairmen leading the charge against President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden have indicated their willingness to hold off proceedings should Hunter Biden agree to testify under oath during an in-camera deposition instead of opting for a press conference at the Capitol instead. Republican chairmen wrote in their memos that Hunter Biden disobeyed two subpoenas by opting to hold press conferences outside.
House Judiciary and Oversight Committees Vote to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt
House Judiciary and Oversight Committees recently voted unanimously to hold Hunter Biden in contempt for disobeying congressional subpoenas by refusing to testify behind closed doors. This measure now moves on to the full House, where Republicans hold an slim majority that will decide whether criminal contempt charges should be filed.
Voting was an emotional conclusion to an eventful meeting that began with chaos when President’s son unexpectedly arrived with attorneys during opening statements and offered to testify publicly before Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer refused his request, insisting it must take place behind closed doors as part of an investigation into his father’s questionable business dealings.
Both committees voted along party lines to move forward with a contempt charge against Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). His Democratic members abstained from both panels’ votes. Scalise remains hospitalized for blood cancer treatment until February and will work remotely during his recovery period.
House Judiciary Committee Chairmen Say They’re “Open to Dropping the Contempt Vote”
House Oversight and Judiciary Committees on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend that President Joe Biden’s son, Beau, is held in contempt of Congress for refusing to appear before a closed-door deposition during GOP’s impeachment investigation into family business dealings. These resolutions passed with party-line votes; now these cases could go before full House and be sent for criminal prosecution by Justice Department.
Democratic members argued that this move by Oversight Chairman James Comer set an unlawful precedent, even if Hunter Biden had offered to testify under oath in public. They pointed to several occasions when Rep. Comer had publicly invited Hunter Biden before the committee for questioning and Hunter had declined each invitation publicly.
They argued that it was outrageous for the chairman to call a press conference where he threatened Biden with contempt charges.
House Oversight Committee Chairmen Say They’re “Open to Dropping the Contempt Vote”
Committee votes carry no formal penalties; however, a House floor vote would refer the issue to the Justice Department for prosecution of President Trump’s son for defying congressional subpoenas. At that point in time, they can decide whether or not to prosecute.
Both committees voted to initiate contempt proceedings against Biden after he ignored an Oversight Committee subpoena and declined a closed-door deposition, instead opting to read his statement to reporters outside of Capitol Building before saying he’d only testify publicly at hearings.
Biden’s lawyers defended his choice to read a statement rather than be deposed as being intended to prevent selective leaks and ensure fair treatment by Congress. But committee members condemned this strategy as “flagrantly defiant,” calling him a coward for refusing to comply with lawful subpoenas issued against him by both panels conducting investigations into former vice president Joe Biden’s foreign business dealings.
House Oversight Committee Members Say They’re “Open to Dropping the Contempt Vote”
Biden surprised lawmakers on Wednesday by showing up at an open hearing to assess contempt charges against him, with Abbe Lowell as his lawyer accompanied. They sat for 30 minutes while members delivered their opening remarks.
Republican officials claim that his testimony is critical to their investigation of former president Joe Biden and his foreign business dealings, yet have failed to produce evidence of wrongdoing by either himself or any of his family members.
Resolution will now go before the full House for consideration and vote, which could find him in contempt of Congress. If that passes, Justice Department officials will determine whether to prosecute; previously they refused prosecution of two Republican members who disobeyed congressional subpoenas during Capitol riot investigations.
After the hearing, Biden’s attorney indicated they are open to withdrawing the contempt vote against their client; however, Biden will continue defending himself against accusations of tax evasion, false statements and failing to file tax returns.
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