House Republicans' efforts to pursue Hunter Biden's contempt of Congress charges are on hold as the eldest son negotiates with a congressional committee about potentially providing testimony related to his father's impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
The House Rules Committee on Tuesday held the 53-year-old son in contempt for ignoring a subpoena to testify amid “ongoing” discussions between the son and the House Judiciary and Oversight Committee. The public hearing on the resolution was removed from the agenda.
A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee said in a statement: “Following the exchange of letters between the parties on January 12th and January 14th, committee staff and Hunter Biden's attorney have confirmed that Hunter Biden's We are working on arranging a date for his court appearance.”
“Negotiations continued this afternoon, and in connection with the suspension of members' movement and the cancellation of votes, the House Rules Committee passed today's contempt resolution to give attorneys additional time to reach an agreement. I haven't considered it.”
Last week, the eldest son's lawyer, Abby Lowell, asked the committee overseeing the 81-year-old president's impeachment inquiry to issue a new subpoena against her client, with the first subpoena issued before the presidential election. The court argued that it was “legally invalid'' because it had been A full house vote to formally decide on a formal investigation.
In a letter to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and the attorney general, Mr. Lowell wrote, “Issuance of a new and appropriate subpoena would be effective now that the impeachment inquiry is formally authorized.'' , Mr. Biden will be available for hearings and depositions.” Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). “We intend to accept such subpoenas on behalf of Mr. Biden.”
Comer and Jordan I responded to Lowell on Sunday. He indicated he would issue new subpoenas “as a convenience to Mr. Biden and at your request.”
While Comer and Jordan maintain that the original subpoena was lawful, the committee welcomes Mr. Biden's renewed willingness to testify in a subpoenaed deposition. I wrote it in a letter.
“To be clear, the issuance of these subpoenas is in no way intended to suggest or imply that the Commission believes the allegations in the January 12 letter have any merit.” wrote the lawmakers.
Despite the new negotiations, House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) won't rule out moving forward with a contempt vote if discussions don't lead to Hunter Biden's testimony. Dew.
“If these discussions are not successful, the Rules Committee could reconvene this week to consider the report,” Cole said Tuesday. According to Hill.
The House Judiciary and Oversight Committees last week said Hunter ignored a scheduled Dec. 13 deposition and instead spoke on Capitol grounds about his father's “financial involvement” in overseas business. They passed a separate resolution to hold Mr. Hunter in contempt after he made comments he claimed he did not commit. transaction.
Contempt of Congress carries a minimum sentence of 30 days in prison.
