Staff Reports
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is reportedly planning to endorse an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. While this move might give McCarthy some breathing room within his party, it is sure to make House Democrats less willing to work with him. In a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, McCarthy is expected to argue that launching an impeachment inquiry is the logical next step for the GOP investigations into Biden’s alleged wrongdoing.
For a while, there have been discussions about an impeachment inquiry within the lower chamber, particularly among hard-line conservatives on the House Judiciary and Oversight committees who are investigating potential criminal activity by the Biden family and the politicization of the Justice Department. McCarthy, however, had previously insisted that any impeachment inquiry should follow formal processes, not “the declaration by one person.”
Now, it seems that GOP leaders are ready to move forward with those processes, but this decision could have significant consequences for McCarthy’s speakership, which is already on shaky ground. It could also impact the fate of the 12 appropriations bills that need to be passed to prevent a government shutdown.
On the positive side, McCarthy’s endorsement of an impeachment inquiry into Biden might earn him points with the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers who have been demanding spending cuts, increased border security funding, and other policy changes in exchange for their votes. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), an ally of McCarthy, has even stated that she would refuse to vote for funding the government unless a continuing resolution addresses the impeachment inquiry.
However, not all Republicans are on board with this move. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has indicated that he would support removing McCarthy as speaker, and other centrist Republicans have expressed skepticism about launching an impeachment inquiry. Taking this path could also put vulnerable Republicans who are up for reelection in 2024 in a difficult position with their constituents, especially in districts that Biden won in 2020.
BREAKING: Far-left activists have stormed U.S. Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s office.
A very sad day for Democracy… will they be thrown in prison for years on end for this?
The radical activists stormed McCarthy’s office to riot in favor of a 5 year reauthorization of PEPFAR, a… pic.twitter.com/OVB5jjEUgE
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 11, 2023
Moreover, McCarthy is already walking a tightrope due to the slim majority of Republicans in the House. With only a four-vote margin on the appropriations bills, losing centrist Republican votes over the impeachment inquiry would be a risky move for him.
In addition to potentially damaging his relationships with House Democrats, endorsing an impeachment inquiry could make it harder for McCarthy to stay in his leadership position. While House Democrats have previously acted as a safety net for McCarthy against potential motions to remove him as speaker, losing their support could leave him more vulnerable if House Republicans move forward with the inquiry.
All in all, McCarthy’s decision to endorse an impeachment inquiry into President Biden has both advantages and risks. While it may please some conservative factions within his party, it could alienate others and strain his already precarious position as House Speaker.
