By Zachary Stieber of Epoch Times
Members of Congress on Jan. 10 permitted a report and backbone that recommends holding President Joe Biden’s son in contempt.
A U.S. Home of Representatives panel voted approve the report and backbone, which says that Hunter Biden, 53, violated federal legislation by refusing to look for a deposition behind closed doorways.
The vote was alongside celebration strains. No Republicans voted no and no Democrats voted sure. Republicans at the moment management the decrease chamber, so have extra members on every panel. The total Home is about to take up the matter sooner or later sooner or later.
Mr. Biden declined to take a seat for a transcribed interview in December 2023, insisting he would solely reply questions in public.
Federal legislation states that when people who find themselves subpoenaed by Congress refuse to testify or present requested paperwork, Congress shall refer the matter to U.S. prosecutors. The individuals who defy congressional subpoenas can land a jail time period of 1 to 12 months and a high quality or $1,000.
Two former advisers to ex-President Donald Trump have been convicted by juries of violating the legislation for refusing to adjust to subpoenas.
The Home Judiciary Committee voted to approve the report. The Home Oversight Committee was additionally scheduled to carry a vote, however lawmakers have been nonetheless marking its report and backbone up greater than six hours after its markup began.
Markups contain discussing proposed laws, proposing amendments, and voting on amendments.
Mr. Biden “blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas,” Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the Home Oversight Committee, mentioned earlier on Wednesday.
“What we’re doing right here as we speak is exhibiting the nation that Hunter is not going to obtain particular therapy as a result of his final identify. It’s very, quite simple. And he will likely be held to the identical customary that each different American citizen can be anticipated to do,” added Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.).
Democrats spent a lot of the hearings speaking about President Trump. Some mentioned they supported Mr. Biden refusing to testify in non-public, pointing to feedback Mr. Comer made that invited witnesses to decide on whether or not to testify in public or non-public.
Mr. Comer mentioned the votes have been concerning the subpoena and that Mr. Biden might communicate in a public listening to after testifying behind closed doorways.
Mr. Biden made a shock look throughout one of many hearings, sitting briefly together with his attorneys earlier than departing.
Republicans are in search of to talk to Mr. Biden concerning his enterprise dealings and his father’s involvement with them. They’ve obtained proof exhibiting financial institution transfers between one in every of Mr. Biden’s firms and the president, amongst different data.
“Our investigation has produced vital proof suggesting President Biden knew of, participated in, and benefited from his household’s cashing in on the Biden identify,” Mr. Comer mentioned.
Mr. Biden advised reporters in late 2023 that “my father was not financially concerned in my enterprise.” He sat in on a part of one of many hearings on Wednesday, however didn’t try to talk.
White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned this week that Mr. Biden makes his personal selections.
“We don’t have anything to share past that,“ she mentioned. ”He’s a non-public citizen, and he makes his personal choices.”
She declined to say whether or not President Biden spoke together with his son earlier than or after his look in Congress.
Mr. Biden’s look sparked anger.
“You’re the epitome of white privilege, coming into the Oversight Committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) advised Mr. Biden. “What are you afraid of?”
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