Posted on 01/10/24
| News Source: CNBC
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed a resolution recommending that Hunter Biden be found in contempt of Congress for refusing to be deposed behind closed doors as part of an impeachment probe of his father, President Joe Biden.
A similar resolution is still being debated by the House Oversight Committee. Both panels are led by Republicans.
Both resolutions are expected to move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
If the House finds Hunter in contempt, it can then refer the matter to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution. Republicans hold an ultra-slim majority in that chamber.
Wednesday’s vote by the Judiciary Committee came hours after an explosive Oversight Committee session that was thrown into chaos when Hunter Biden showed up in the panel’s chambers.
The Oversight Committee previously issued a subpoena to Hunter Biden, which demanded that he appear for a non-public deposition for the impeachment probe.
Hunter replied by saying he would agree to testify, but only in public. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, has said House Republicans have a habit of issuing public statements that misrepresent the testimony of witnesses who testify at closed proceedings.
On Wednesday morning, Hunter Biden, Lowell and other lawyers entered the Rayburn House Office Building hearing room and sat down in the Oversight Committee’s chamber shortly after the panel convened.
Hunter sat silently with crossed arms, staring down the Republicans who were pushing to sanction him. He stayed for less than 30 minutes, then abruptly left.
His unannounced appearance — and sudden departure — stoked anger from the committee’s Republicans.
“I’m looking at you, Hunter Biden, as I’m speaking to you,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said shortly after the president’s son sat down. “You are not above the law.”
When Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., began to speak, Hunter stood and exited the room, prompting scoffs and cries of “where’s he going?” from the panel.
“What a coward,” Greene fumed.