Washington: The US House of Representatives has approved a resolution to formalize the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden over his son’s controversial business dealings in Ukraine and China. The resolution, which was passed by a vote of 221-212 on Wednesday, authorizes the House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether Biden abused his power and violated his oath of office by influencing the foreign policy of the US to benefit his son.
Why are the Republicans targeting Biden?
The Republicans, who have a majority in the House, have accused Biden of being involved in a quid pro quo scheme with the Ukrainian government in 2019 when he was the vice president under Barack Obama. They allege that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, who was investigating a gas company called Burisma, where Biden’s son Hunter was a board member. They also claim that Biden received millions of dollars from China through his son, who had lucrative deals with Chinese firms.
The Republicans have not provided any concrete evidence to back up their allegations, but they have cited a laptop that allegedly belonged to Hunter Biden, which contained emails and documents related to his foreign business ventures. They have also referred to a book by a former business partner of Hunter Biden, who claimed that he had met Joe Biden and discussed the deals with him.
The Democrats, who control the Senate, have dismissed the impeachment inquiry as a political stunt and a distraction from the pressing issues facing the country, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and climate change. They have defended Biden as a man of integrity and honesty, who has always acted in the best interest of the nation. They have also pointed out that the impeachment inquiry is unlikely to succeed, as it requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate to convict and remove the president.
What is the impact of the impeachment inquiry on the 2024 elections?
The impeachment inquiry has added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere in the US, as the country gears up for the presidential elections in 2024. Biden, who is 81 years old, has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term, but he has indicated that he is open to the possibility. His main rival is expected to be Donald Trump, the former president who was impeached twice by the House but acquitted by the Senate. Trump, who is 77 years old, has not officially declared his candidacy, but he has hinted that he will run again.
The impeachment inquiry could have a significant impact on the public perception of Biden and his administration, as well as on the voter turnout and the campaign strategies of both parties. It could also affect the relations between the US and its allies and adversaries, especially Ukraine and China, who are at the center of the controversy. The outcome of the impeachment inquiry could determine the fate of Biden’s presidency and the future of the US.
