In response to Attorney General Merrick Garland’s refusal to provide subpoenaed audio of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur, House Republicans voted on Wednesday to hold him in contempt of Congress.
After numerous members privately expressed apprehension regarding supporting the measure, the Republican priority remained unresolved for nearly a month.
However, the 216-207 vote is a victory for the House GOP. If all members were present, Republicans could afford to lose only two votes due to their razor-thin House majority.
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) was the sole Republican to vote against the measure.
Republicans have already obtained the transcript of the conversation.
Although the president did not address any topics that are pertinent to their impeachment investigation, the GOP has nevertheless linked the matter to their investigation.
On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair, James Comer (R-Ky.), initiated the debate by accusing the Justice Department of attempting to “conceal President Biden’s wrongdoing.”
Additionally, they regard the audio as a means of investigating Hur’s assertion that Biden had a poor memory.
In contrast, Democrats contended that the action was an attempt to bolster an impeachment investigation that was in danger of collapsing.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) referred to Garland as “collateral damage for [this] failed effort to impeach the president of the United States.”
Although the resolution constitutes a formal censure of Garland, it is improbable that it will produce any tangible outcomes.
These measures are referred to the Justice Department, which is responsible for determining whether they warrant prosecution.
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