Republican members of the House Oversight Committee told Fox News Digital that they are confident Wednesday’s committee hearing will not sway their colleagues to support possible impeachment of President Biden.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), when asked if he thought he would change his mind after the committee’s second impeachment hearing, answered emphatically, “No.”
He also accused his fellow Republicans of conveying two different opinions about impeaching Biden to lobbyists in Washington and voters back home.
Rep. Tim Burchett (left) tells Fox News Digital that he is confident his fellow lawmakers will not be swayed to support possible impeachment of President Biden during Wednesday’s committee hearing. Ta. (Getty Images)
House holds hearing on ‘impact peddling’ with former Hunter Biden associate of Biden family
“Everyone’s going to vote the way they know they’re going to vote. That’s what a lot of people are worried about. [is] If you have the right to vote. I want to vote yes or no,” Burchett said.
When asked why he was concerned, he said, “They were telling their K Street buddies, ‘I’m not going to vote on this,’ because they don’t think they need to vote on it.” Ta. They said to the people back home, “Oh, yeah, I’m going to impeach.” But in reality, they don’t have the courage to do it. ”
Congressman Tim Burchett speaks to reporters as he arrives at the House Republican Conference on November 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Rose Leyden/Getty Images)
House Republicans are investigating Biden over allegations that he used his former position as vice president to enrich himself and his family. Of particular concern are his son Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings with companies in China and Ukraine.
There is near unanimity within the House Republican conference that Biden appears to have at least acted inappropriately, but whether they believe these issues rise to the necessary standard for impeachment is unclear. It’s not clear.
The House Republican majority remains dangerously thin, and two or more defections would be enough to sink the effort.
President Biden (right) and his son Hunter Biden. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Several Republican lawmakers told Fox News Digital last week that they were pessimistic about the chances of an actual vote in their chambers.
“I don’t think we have the will to impeach Joe Biden. … We’re not going to do that. We have a two-seat majority. There’s probably a lot of alienation in this tough district. There are going to be people who don’t want it, whether they’re independents or moderates,” Rep. Troy Neals (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital at the time.
“They’ve laid out a good case to impeach Joe Biden…but I don’t think we have the will to do it.”
Another Republican lawmaker, who spoke freely on condition of anonymity, agreed that the impeachment push has lost momentum due to the busy presidential election year environment.
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“I think elections are always going to lose momentum. As soon as we move into a formal presidential election, I don’t think we’ll know if the same enthusiasm will continue,” the Republican said.
Asked about skepticism within the conference about actually voting in favor of impeaching Biden, he said, “I’m not the one to worry about, but there are dozens of others.”
Wednesday’s hearing, titled “Influence Peddling: An Investigation of Joe Biden’s Abuse of Office,” began with testimony from Republican witnesses, former Hunter Biden business associates Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis. Ta. Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas.
