This may come as a surprise, but it’s glaringly apparent that Republican leadership does not have the stomach to pursue the impeachment of President Joe Biden.
MAGA Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) leveraged a procedural tool earlier this week to force a vote on an impeachment resolution. The resolution alleges Biden violated his oath by failing to enforce immigration laws and secure the southern border.
In a strictly party-line vote, 219-208, the House voted Thursday to send the matter to a pair of congressional committees – the House Homeland Security and Judiciary – for possible consideration.
Sounds good, right?
Except, as the Associated Press points out, those committees “are under no obligation to do anything.”
They describe the effort as having “pushed off” the impeachment resolution, while Reuters reports that the House has “sidelined” the measure.
U.S. House sidelines far-right Republican impeachment vote on Biden https://t.co/bwVM0FeIRF
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) June 22, 2023
RELATED: GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy Pre-Surrenders, Saying GOP Won’t Impeach Biden
Shrinking Violets: Republicans Retreating From Biden Impeachment
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has been trying to tamp down impeachment efforts from firebrand GOP lawmakers Boebert and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
Greene (R-GA) has announced plans for similar impeachment initiatives against Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, the attorney prosecuting January 6 participants.
McCarthy, meanwhile, urged Republicans to oppose Boebert’s resolution, saying, “I don’t think it’s the right thing to do” and citing a need for investigation and following the traditional process.
Rep Boebert explains that Republican leadership is not supporting her resolution to impeach Joe Biden right now.
CALL: 202-225-3121 or https://t.co/EItwnhbD8z pic.twitter.com/mcyswtXCtx
— Grace Chong “I think the country doesn’t like impeachment used for political purposes at all,” said McCarthy. “If anyone ever rises to that occasion, you have to, but I think the country wants to heal and … start to see the system that actually works.” (@gc22gc) June 21, 2023
McCarthy is being true to form, so long as you listen very carefully to what he says. Just a couple of weeks before the midterm elections he wasn’t a fan of impeaching President Biden.
“I think the country doesn’t like impeachment used for political purposes at all,” said McCarthy. “If anyone ever rises to that occasion, you have to, but I think the country wants to heal and … start to see the system that actually works.”
Perhaps he doesn’t recall that Democrats didn’t give a rip about whether or not former President Donald Trump “rose to the occasion of impeachment,” going after him twice for requesting an investigation of corruption in Ukraine and for telling people to protest peacefully at the Capitol.
Considering recent news, Trump’s ask for an investigation was perfectly legitimate.
Perhaps Greene should have been directing her recent remarks about Boebert to the Speaker instead.
NEW in @PunchbowlNews AM — MCCARTHY on investigations if House Rs take the majority.
TOP LINE: @GOPLeader is quite bearish on impeachment.
Check out what he told us pic.twitter.com/jboHv9NPoX
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 19, 2022
Senate Republicans Too
A new Axios report indicates Senate Republicans are also a bit squeamish about pursuing President Biden’s impeachment. Several top GOP senators – members of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s leadership team – are quoted as being in opposition.
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) – “I don’t know what they’re basing the president’s impeachment on … I can’t imagine going down that road.”
John Thune (R-SD) – “I’d rather focus on the policy agenda, the vision for the future, and go on and win elections.”
Steve Daines (R-MT) – Hasn’t “seen evidence that would rise to an impeachable offense.”
Top GOP senators bristle at House impeachment efforts via @axios https://t.co/khacJym6zK
— Chris (@Chris_1791) June 22, 2023
Senator Daines – You haven’t seen any evidence?! Perhaps a visit to the optometrist is in order.
The border crisis, Afghanistan withdrawal, the criminal pursuit of political opponents, colluding with school boards to treat parents like terrorists, corruption and bribery, an obvious lack of mental acuity? Do any of these things ring a bell?
Every single Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee voted this morning to hide the IRS whistleblower testimony and keep it secret.
Now we know why: it is devastating proof that the Biden family is a criminal organization and DOJ is a corrupt Democrat protection racket. pic.twitter.com/pzniJCIFak
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) June 22, 2023
What is the point of the Republican party right now? Can anybody explain what they’re doing?
Perhaps these Republican squishes should listen to the words of Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) who pointed out that it was the Democrats who opened Pandora’s Box when it comes to impeachment.
“Whether it’s justified or not, the Democrats weaponized impeachment. They used it for partisan purposes to go after Trump because they disagreed with him,” Cruz said.
It’s time the GOP exercised its own power. Their colleagues on the other side of the aisle didn’t hesitate to take down Trump’s presidency. They won’t hesitate to do the same if a Republican wins the White House in 2024.
Grow a spine.
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The post McCarthy, Senate Republicans Shrinking Away From Biden Impeachment Efforts, House Sidelines Vote appeared first on The Political Insider.
