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☆ House GOP Biden inquiry stalls as impeachment becomes less likely
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Hunter Biden arrives at the Thomas P. O'Neil Jr. House Office Building for a closed door deposition on February 28, in Washington, DC. Abbe Lowell makes a statement to the press following a closed-door deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and House Judiciary Committee in the O'Neill House Office Building on February 28, in Washington, DC. “He was well-prepared for the kind of questions,” Issa recounted of Hunter Biden. GOP focus shifts away from impeachment probeInvestigating the Biden family and going after President Biden was a top priority for House Republicans when they reclaimed the majority and got control of committees. GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana said the three Republican chairmen leading the impeachment inquiry have the same message: “They say we’re not in a position to go forward on impeachment.”

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Hunter Biden, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Comer, Donald Trump, Thomas P, O'Neil Jr, Countess, Merrick, Justice won’t, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, “, Jordan, Johnson, “ I’m, ” Johnson, Ralph Norman of, Troy Nehls, impeaching Biden, We’ve, Let’s, ”, ” Nehls, Alejandro Mayorkas, I’m, Trump, weaponized, ” Jordan, Vernon, Ed Siskel, ” Siskel, Hunter, Mary, ” Hunter, Abbe Lowell, Samuel Corum, Hunter Biden’s, Darrell Issa, ” Issa, Robert Hur, Garret Graves, Chip Roy, Texas, Lisa McClain, Richard Hudson of, it’s, Nick LaLota, ” Norman, Ryan Zinke Organizations: House Republicans, Department of Justice, CNN, Fox News, Merrick Garland’s Department, Justice, Louisiana Republican, ” Staff, GOP, Caucus, Democratic, Homeland, Senate, Trump, White, Getty, Committee, Republican, of, Hunter Biden, Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Judiciary, House, House Republican, “ Locations: Washington ,, Merrick Garland’s, Louisiana, House, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Miami, Vernon Hill, Florida, O'Neill, Washington , DC, California, Lisa McClain of Michigan, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, New York, Montana

The sun rises through the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 11. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesWhite House officials are planning a real-time, rapid-response and fact-checking operation for Robert Hur’s testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, according to a White House official. Hur’s highly anticipated appearance comes weeks after he released a controversial report on his investigation into Biden’s handling of classified materials. The White House has pushed back forcefully on Hur’s report, both in its substance and its motivation. “We are preparing to make clear yet again that the conclusion of the investigation was that there was no case here,” the White House official said.

Persons: Jim Watson, Robert Hur’s, Hur’s, Hur, Biden, ”, Beau, “ Organizations: White, Getty, Capitol, White House Locations: Portico, Washington ,, AFP

After a yearlong investigation, Hur concluded that Biden mishandled classified material and improperly disclosed classified information as a private citizen. Here are four key things to look for in Tuesday’s high-stakes hearing:What will Hur say about Biden’s age and memory? (At 81, Biden is the oldest US president in history, though Donald Trump is only a few years younger at 77.) House Republicans are looking for Hur’s public testimony to provide fresh momentum to their sputtering impeachment inquiry into Biden. Hur’s approach will determine how easy, or hard, it is for lawmakers to extract the political moments that they want.

Persons: Robert Hur, Joe Biden’s, Hur, Biden, wouldn’t, Donald Trump, Beau, Barack Obama, seething Biden, “, ” Biden, ”, Jack Smith, Trump, ” Hur, Will Hur, Hunter, Steve Ruark, Mr, Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Robert Mueller, John Durham, Bill Barr, – Hur, he’ll, Biden’s feebleness Organizations: CNN, GOP, Justice Department, Republicans, National Archives, Department of Justice, Court, Ukrainian, Justice, Internal Revenue Service, White, Trump, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Washington, Tuesday’s, Israel, Florida, Ukrainian, Baltimore, Maryland, Russia

☆ James Biden walked lawmakers through the two loans he received from brother Joe Biden, transcript shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

James Biden walked lawmakers through the process of receiving two interest free loans from his brother Joe Biden, who at the time was a private citizen, and how he paid those loans back, according to a transcript of the interview shared publicly Friday. “I repaid two loans that I secured from my brother,” James Biden said. Then on January 12, 2018, Joe Biden loaned his brother $200,000 via Monzack, and James Biden repaid him on March 1 of that year, he confirmed. The wire transfers from Joe Biden and James Biden’s loan repayments ran through an attorney trust account controlled by Monzack. But, James Biden said there were no official documents memorializing these wire transfers.

Persons: James Biden, Joe Biden, “, ” James Biden, Melvyn Monzack, Mel, Joe, ” Biden, ”, Joe Biden’s, Monzack, James Biden’s, Americore, Americore ” Biden Organizations: Republicans, United States Congress, Monzack

☆ What to watch for out of Hunter Biden’s closed-door depositions with Republicans on Capitol Hill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hunter Biden has been the focus of Republicans in Congress since they won the majority over a year ago. Regardless, Hunter Biden’s appearance is expected to create a spectacle on Capitol Hill, even as he will be testifying behind closed doors. Not surprisingly, the committees are expecting more lawmakers to show up for Hunter Biden than typical for depositions. “You are the epitome of White privilege,” GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina told Hunter Biden from the dais. The stand-off led to contempt proceedings against Hunter Biden, after he showed up on Capitol Hill the day the committees scheduled his deposition.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Joe Biden, –, Biden, There’s, Hunter, ’, Hunter Biden won’t, James Comer, that’s, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Donald Trump’s, White, Nancy Mace, weren’t, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Where’s Hunter, ” Hunter Biden Organizations: Congress, Republican, FBI, Republicans, GOP, CNN, Justice Department, Capitol, South Carolina Locations: Ukrainian, Georgia

Hunter Biden’s appearance Wednesday represents the most significant testimony to date for the two congressional committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a probe that’s heavily focused on Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. But it comes as a key allegation that launched the impeachment inquiry has been discredited. Sources familiar with terms negotiated between Hunter Biden’s team and congressional Republicans told CNN that Wednesday’s deposition will have several unique features that are different from the other interviews the committees have conducted to date. While Hunter Biden’s lawyers insisted that he would only testify publicly, Comer insisted that a public hearing would follow the private deposition. Republicans repeatedly pointed to Smirnov’s allegations as a reason for opening the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden last fall.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, –, Hunter, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, James Comer’s, Comer, Joe Biden, Department’s, Alexander Smirnov, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Burisma, wouldn’t, Abbe Lowell, Lowell Organizations: Capitol, CNN, FBI, Republicans, GOP, Justice Department Locations: Washington

☆ Republicans to grill James Biden behind closed doors in critical interview as GOP looks for lifeline in impeachment probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Hunter Biden is expected to show for his closed-door interview next week, after intense deliberations that almost collapsed. The first check Republicans revealed went to Joe Biden in 2018 for $200,000 from James Biden and James’ wife Sara Biden. What other Biden family business associates have saidBeyond Fox and Langston, Republicans have recently interviewed a number of key Biden family business associates. Walker also attended a 2017 business meeting with Hunter Biden and Chinese business associates, where Joe Biden made an appearance. Another longtime Biden family business associate, Eric Schwerin, performed administrative and bookkeeping tasks for then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2017.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, James, Wednesday, Biden, Hunter Biden, Mike Johnson, —, David Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Robert Hur’s, Biden’s, James Biden, James ’, Sara Biden, ”, James Comer, Comer, Carol Fox, ‘ Biden, ’, Fox, James Biden’s, Joseph Langston, Langston, “, “ Jimmy Biden, ” Langston, Rob Walker, Walker, Biden —, ” Walker, ‘, ’ ”, Eric Schwerin, ” Schwerin, Mervyn Yan, Kevin Morris, Tony Bobulinski, Georges Bergès, White, Bergès, ” Bergès Organizations: Republicans, GOP, CNN, FBI, Burisma Holdings, undercutting, White, Democratic, Banking, Republican, Biden, Kentucky Republican, Fox, Langston, “, White House Locations: South Korea, Washington ,, China, Kentucky, Americore, Romania, American

☆ Schism over Russia drives Republicans apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There are emerging signs of a deep schism in the Republican Party over how or even whether the US should stand up to authoritarianism in Russia. With a not-so-subtle nod to Trump’s failure to criticize Russia for Navalny’s death, she compared elections in democracies to those in autocracies. Compare it with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who, at Trump’s behest, is refusing to bow to pressure to allow a vote on US aid to Ukraine. If it is clear where Haley and Trump stand on opposing Russia and helping Ukraine, what’s in Johnson’s mind is a secret. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.” Read their full report.

Persons: Donald Trump, It’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, Alexey Navalny, ” Haley, Trump, CNN Haley’s intransigence, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, @realDonaldTrump Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Republicans, United, Republican, “, Mar, Trump, Twitter, ’ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, South Carolina, Russian, autocracies ., Soviet

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson faces critical decision on Ukraine aid as international pressure grows to act
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson is facing international criticism over his lack of swift action on Ukraine aid, which is ratcheting up pressure to make a critical decision that will not only have massive implications for his rookie speakership but also for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort against Russia. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.”The pressure cooker Johnson is facing has exposed some frustration over how he has approached his speakership. At a time when House Republicans are looking to their leader to make a decisive choice, the speaker has instead elevated members to bring forward their own ideas without articulating his own preferences. “Ukraine is in desperate need of the US aid, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the floor of the United States Senate. “We’re looking at a number of options on our leadership team.”Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has repeatedly hammered Johnson over his inaction.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Alexei Navalny, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sen, J.D, Vance, Johnson —, Warren Davidson, ” Davidson, Virginia Sen, Mark Warner, ”, Ben Cardin, “, ” Cardin, It’s, Brian Fitzpatrick, someone’s, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Trump, ” Scalise, Joe Biden, ” Biden, NATO … I’ve, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Putin “, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Schumer, it’s, There’s, Mike Turner, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Russia, Democratic, Congress, Global, Security, Republicans, Republican, NATO, GOP, Caucus, languishes, Senate Intelligence, United, United States Senate, Senate, NATO …, New, New York Democrat, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Press, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Warren Davidson of Ohio, “, Munich, United States, Russia, Pennsylvania, Baltic, Florida, New York, Washington

CNN —House Republicans were shocked by some of the recent high-profile retirements announced by their colleagues, which have included powerful committee chairs and rising stars inside the GOP. And on the Energy and Commerce Committee alone – a highly sought-after assignment – there are eight Republicans who are retiring. “So, yeah, I’m very worried about it.”Others, however, said the turnover is completely normal, especially since the House GOP has self-imposed term limits for chairs, which they argued allows them to inject new blood into the ranks. We probably need a few more retirements.”McCarthy – who resigned at the end of last year – suggested that was perhaps the goal of hard-liners like Good and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida who voted to oust him. It’s just a number of things piling up,” said House Science Committee Chair Frank Lucas, reflecting on the retirements.

Persons: “ They’ve, we’re, ”, Ken Buck, Don Bacon of Nebraska, ” Bacon, Carlos Gimenez, Kevin McCarthy, “, it’s, –, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Mike Gallagher of, Alejandro Mayorkas, Greg Pence, Pfluger, Tom Cole, I’ve, I’m, Bob Good, ” Good, ” McCarthy –, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, ” McCarthy, Frank Lucas, Mark Green of, Debbie Lesko of, McCarthy, ” Lesko, can’t, Brian Fitzpatrick, Steve Womack, Donald, Trump, Kelly Armstrong of, ’, Erin Houchin, Patrick McHenry of, Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, GOP, Energy, impeaching Homeland, Commerce, Indiana, Republicans, Congress, Capitol, ”, House Homeland Security Committee, Representatives, Financial Locations: Ken Buck of Colorado, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Washington, China, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Texas, Congress, Florida, Mark Green of Tennessee, Debbie Lesko of Arizona, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, New York, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Erin Houchin of Indiana, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

☆ House Republicans seek to downplay FBI informant charges that undermine Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden tried to downplay the importance of an FBI informant whose claims they once championed after he was charged with fabricating foreign bribery allegations involving the president and his son. Special counsel David Weiss charged the FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, with lying to the FBI and creating false records. The indictment is just the latest setback to House Republicans who are struggling to build momentum to impeach the president. In the wake of the charges, President Joe Biden called out the informant for lying and said Republicans should end their impeachment inquiry. In the wake of the charges, Republicans have seized on the idea that Smirnov was initially presented as a credible witness.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Weiss, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, Biden, Jim Jordan, Jordan, James Comer, Comer, Jason Smith, Joe Biden corruptly, Hunter, Donald Trump’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Johnson, Scott Brady, Brady, ” Brady, Tony Bobulinski, ” Comer, Raskin, Hunter Biden, James, CNN’s Marshall Cohen Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, FBI, Republicans, CNN, Fox, of Homeland, House Republicans, Hunter Biden, CHS, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian

CNN —House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner has made intelligence around a “serious national security threat” available to all members of Congress to review. Two sources familiar with the matter and a US official tell CNN the threat is related to Russia. “That’s been on the books. He declined to elaborate on the nature of the threat. “I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time,” he said.

Persons: Mike Turner, Turner, ” Turner, Joe Biden, declassify, Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, “ That’s, “ I’m, ”, Biden Organizations: CNN — House, CNN, House Intelligence, ” National Locations: Russia, United States

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson in no rush to address foreign aid request while others weigh rewriting Senate-passed plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But some conservatives say they won’t support any Ukraine aid, even if it’s just narrow military aid. “There’s the possibility that the Republican majority would support Ukraine aid paid for, with real border security attached to it,” Good said. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, also a Freedom Caucus member, laid out a number of conditions he would need in order to support Ukraine aid. One option that was discussed during the meeting was stripping the aid package of its humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and only including military aid for Ukraine. And I think we should have been focused on military aid,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing district Republican from Nebraska, told CNN.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Brian Fitzpatrick, “, ” Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, Joe Biden, Dan Crenshaw, Bob Good, ”, Chip Roy, ” Roy, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Ann Wagner, ” Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Mike Johnson, Jeffries, ” “, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Bacon, ” Wagner, ” Bacon, CNN’s Manu Raju, Mario Diaz, “ I’ll, we’re, CNN’s Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Sam Fossum Organizations: Republican Conference, GOP, Republican, Pentagon, Virginia Republican, Freedom Caucus, Caucus, ”, Republicans, CNN, “, Missouri Republican, Democrat Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Taiwan, Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Texas, United States, Nebraska, Missouri, Florida

☆ Former Biden family business associate recycles unproven allegations to House panels
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annie Grayer | Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A former Biden family business associate levied critical but unproven allegations against President Joe Biden in a closed-door House interview Tuesday, resurrecting claims he has lobbed since 2020. He further said he believed the multi-million-dollar business deals secured by Joe Biden’s son and brother only materialized “because Joe Biden was in high office.” He said, “the Biden family business was Joe Biden, period,” and specifically mentioned Joe Biden’s alleged role in a lucrative proposed deal with a Chinese energy conglomerate. “He had two encounters with President Biden in back-to-back days in May of 2017 that seemed extremely casual,” Raskin said. Despite providing information to the FBI, federal prosecutors haven’t cited his materials in the sweeping tax indictment filed against Hunter Biden. The Justice Department has accused Hunter Biden of tax evasion and other financial crimes over many years.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Tony Bobulinski, Trump, —, “ Joe Biden, ” Bobulinski, Joe Biden’s, ”, “, Bobulinski, Jamie Raskin, ” Raskin, Hunter, Hunter Biden, Rob Walker, Walker, ” Walker, “ You’re, Bobulinski’s, Raskin, pounced, Robert Hur’s, Jasmine Crockett, haven’t, Republicans ’ Organizations: CNN, Street, Maryland, Justice Department, FBI, IRS, Republicans, Fox News, Democratic, Bobulinski, GOP, The Locations: China, Los Angeles, Jasmine Crockett of Texas

☆ House impeaches Alejandro Mayorkas, first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annie Grayer | Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The House of Representatives, by an extremely narrow margin, voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years. The Department of Homeland Security said that House Republicans “will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution” following the vote to impeach. “Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe,” the statement said. Ken Buck, Tom McClintock, and Mike Gallagher are three House Republicans who voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Mayorkas has sent a letter to House Republicans to defend his record in public service in advance of the vote.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Mayorkas, Joe Biden, William Belknap, Republicans – Ken Buck, Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of, Tom McClintock, California –, Republicans “, Mia Ehrenberg, Steve Scalise, Texas Democrat Al Green, Ken Buck, Mike Gallagher, impeaching Mayorkas, “, Troy Nehls, we’re, ”, Lance Gooden, Patrick McHenry of, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, “ He’s, Ian Sams, Chuck Schumer’s, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, ” Schumer, Johnson, Donald Trump, ” Mayorkas, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Manu Raju Organizations: Homeland, Republicans, Biden, Department of Homeland Security, “, Texas Democrat, AP, Getty, GOP, CNN, Texas, Democratic, Pro Tempore, House Republicans, ”, Communist, Democrats, Homeland Security, Republican, Border Patrol Locations: Republicans – Ken Buck of, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, California, Israel, Texas, “, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Cuba

☆ GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher won’t seek reelection
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Wisconsin GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher said Saturday he will not seek reelection, making him the latest Republican to announce an exit from Congress as the House GOP looks to save its shrinking majority in November. The House is expected to hold another vote on impeaching Mayorkas as soon as next week, when Majority Leader Steve Scalise returns from receiving cancer treatments. Former President Donald Trump carried the solidly Republican district over Joe Biden by about 15 points in the 2020 presidential election. Over a dozen House Republicans have stated that they will leave Congress at the end of their term. House Republicans currently control 219 seats to Democrats’ 212, with four vacancies.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Alejandro Mayorkas, ” Gallagher, ”, impeaching Mayorkas, Steve Scalise, Wisconsin’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, George Santos ’, CNN’s Simone Pathe, Molly English Annie Grayer, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN, Wisconsin GOP, GOP, impeaching Homeland, Wisconsin Republican, Congressional, Republican, House Energy, Washington, Republicans, House Republicans, ’ Locations: Green, China, New York, Tuesday’s

The special counsel report found that Biden willfully retained classified information, including top secret documents, and knew he was in possession of some documents as far back as 2017. House Oversight Committee Republicans, who have separately investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents, criticized Hur’s report before it was even released or delivered to Congress. “Most notably, after being given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite.” Hur wrote. “Among the places Mr. Biden’s lawyers found classified documents in the garage was a damaged, opened box containing numerous hanging folders, file folders, and binders,” the report said. The photos included in Trump’s charging documents showed how he allegedly stored classified documents in various places at his Mar-a-Lago estate, including a ballroom, bathroom shower and his bedroom.

Persons: Robert Hur’s, Joe Biden, Biden, Hur, ”, Donald Trump, Biden Hur, Biden’s, “, ” Hur, “ Mr, Tom Emmer, ” Emmer, X, Biden “, Hur’s, – Biden, Trump, Jack Smith, Smith, ’, Richard Sauber, Bob Bauer, Bauer, ” Bauer, CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer Organizations: Washington CNN, flouting, Department, FBI, Trump, Republicans, GOP, Investigators, Biden, ”, Capitol, Judiciary, Department of Justice, Mar, White, National Archives, ” Sauber, flouted Locations: Biden’s Wilmington , Delaware, Afghanistan, Virginia, Delaware, Biden’s, Lago

“I was embarrassed for our conference, for our party, because we can do better than we did last night,” said GOP Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas. It was a huge mistake,” said GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, an ally to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And the stunning defeat, which prompted a chaotic scene on the House floor, completely overshadowed the Democratic opposition to the Israel bill. “The Democrats played hide and seek with us,” GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida told CNN. We’ll put it back up.”For their part, Democrats took a victory lap in their maneuvering that led to a nail-biter vote and embarrassment for House Republicans.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Troy Nehls, “, we’re, ”, Lance Gooden, GOP Sen, Lisa Murkowski, I’ve, I’m, Nancy Pelosi, George Santos, Pelosi, Ralph Norman of, Patrick McHenry of, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, “ He’s, Jen Kiggans, Johnson, speakership, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell’s, James Lankford of, Kevin Dietsch, Mayorkas, Mike Gallagher of, impeaching Mayorkas, ” Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Dan Bishop of, Steve Womack, ” Womack, Mitch McConnell, Chip Somodevilla, they’re, ’, Steve Scalise, Tom Cole of, Al Green of, Carlos Gimenez, “ It’s, Scalise, We’ll, ” Pelosi, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot, Lauren Fox, Sam Fossum Organizations: Homeland, GOP, CNN, Texas, Republican, ”, Republicans, House Democrats, GOP Rep, Caucus, Congress, Navy, Capitol, Getty, Democratic, Democrat, Arkansas Republican, House Republicans Locations: “, Texas, Israel, Alaska, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Virginia, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Washington , DC, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Arkansas, ”, Washington ,, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Al Green of Texas, Florida

☆ House GOP skeptical Biden inquiry leads to impeachment as election draws near
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Some of the ire has been directed at House Oversight Chairman James Comer, who has spearheaded the investigation into Biden family business records. “I don’t think it goes anywhere,” one Republican lawmaker said of the Biden impeachment inquiry. One senior GOP impeachment inquiry aide said it would be “a win too in our eyes” if the probe ended with legislative proposals to reform federal ethics laws, regardless of the decision on impeachment. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who is co-leading the investigation, acknowledged a Biden impeachment is not a forgone conclusion. “Nobody is talking about that,” said GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington state, when asked for his thoughts on the Biden impeachment inquiry.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden's, Hunter Biden, James, ahas, Scott Perry, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Biden, “, Nicole Malliotakis, ”, –, James Comer, Kevin McCarthy, Comer, we’ve, it’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, Jim Jordan, ” Jordan, Jason Smith, Biden – it’s, I’m, ” Comer, Comer’s, Steve Scalise, BIden’s, ” Scalise, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, David Schweikert, Mike Garcia of California, Dan Newhouse, David Valadao of, you’re, Hunter Biden’s, Hunter, Victoria Spartz, “ It’s, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Republican, New York, CNN, Homeland, Representatives, Committee, Biden, Washington, Victoria Locations: Scott Perry of, New, Jordan, Missouri, Arizona, David Valadao of California, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, House

☆ House Ethics Committee reached out to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend amid ongoing investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to an ex-girlfriend who was a key witness in the federal investigation into the Florida lawmaker, according to a source familiar with the ethics probe. Gaetz said in a statement to CNN that the Ethics Committee investigation is “payback” for Gaetz’s efforts to oust Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker of the house, and that he sees “through this sham and the American people will too.” The Ethics Committee declined to comment. That federal probe concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. She is not expected to voluntarily cooperate with the Ethics probe. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust the former speaker because of the ethics probe.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, “, ”, Annie Grayer Organizations: GOP, Florida Republican, CNN, Capitol Hill, Justice Department Locations: Florida, California

CNN —House Republicans on Sunday released two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, laying out their allegations that the cabinet secretary committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” ahead of a committee vote later this week. The first article charges Mayorkas with “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and House Republicans allege in the second article that Mayorkas has “breached the public trust” by allegedly making “false statements.”The Homeland Security Committee will meet Tuesday to mark up the articles. That should come as no surprise because Republicans’ so-called ‘investigation’ of Secretary Mayorkas has been a remarkably fact-free affair,” Thompson said in a statement. Secretary Mayorkas is enforcing and utilizing the law to safeguard our homeland exactly as every one of his predecessors did,” the memo reads. If the Homeland Security secretary is impeached, it would be an exceedingly rare event.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, “, Bennie Thompson, ”, Republicans ’, Mayorkas, ” Thompson, William Belknap Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, Sunday, of Homeland, Republicans, Homeland Security, Democrat, GOP, Department of Homeland Security, Biden, CHS, White, Homeland Locations: Washington, Mayorkas

☆ White House offers key GOP lawmaker access to unredacted January 6 panel transcripts as part of Republican probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Annie Grayer | Zachary Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The White House is offering a key Republican lawmaker the chance to review transcripts from the House January 6 committee’s interviews, according to a letter obtained by CNN, with the goal of appeasing a GOP-led investigation into the panel. As part of the White House offer, Loudermilk will be allowed to review but not keep the transcripts. CNN has reached out to Loudermilk for comment on the White House offer. Loudermilk, who is spearheading the Republican-led investigation into the work of the former January 6 select committee, prompted the White House for the unredacted transcripts because he claimed the redacted versions he had access to excluded key details, according to a letter obtained by CNN. The offer from the White House comes as House Republicans have sought to discredit the January 6 committee’s investigation and related criminal cases against Trump since taking over the majority.

Persons: Barry Loudermilk, Loudermilk, Donald Trump, Trump, Richard Sauber, Joe Biden, “, ’ ”, Bennie Thompson, Thompson, ” Thompson, ” Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, White House, Republicans, Trump, Justice Department, ’ ” Sauber, Department of Homeland Security, Service, Democratic Locations: appeasing, Georgia, Loudermilk

☆ Biden family business associate had no contact with Joe Biden, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

House Republicans interviewed a former business associate of Hunter and James Biden on Thursday who told Congress ahead of the interview he had “no contact” with President Joe Biden, according to a letter obtained by CNN. “He never heard mention of President Biden with respect to any of the transactions pursued by Hudson West III and is unaware of any involvement President Biden may have had with his son’s business pursuits,” Dayananda added. As a result, Dayananda wrote, “Mr. He has had no professional contact or communication with President Biden at any time,” Dayananda wrote in May to Comer. Hunter Biden began to “investigate potential infrastructure projects” with the Chinese-backed energy company, CEFC, in 2015, when Joe Biden was vice president, according to the recent indictment in the federal tax case against the president’s son.

Persons: Hunter, James Biden, Joe Biden, James Comer, Mervyn Yan, Yan, Biden, ” Yan, Soumya Dayananda, Comer, “, ” Dayananda, Dayananda, “ Mr, Biden’s, ”, Hunter Biden, Gongwen Dong, “ Mervyn Yan, Mervyn Yan’s, ” Comer, Jamie Raskin Organizations: Republicans, CNN, Republican, Hudson West, Hudson, ” Republicans, Yan Locations: United States, Kentucky, American, III

☆ Exclusive: House ethics probe of Gaetz seeks information from DOJ and woman who allegedly had sex with congressman as a minor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Paula Reid | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to the woman whom the congressman allegedly had sexual relations with when she was a 17-year-old minor, according to a source familiar with the committee’s work. The federal probe, which also included allegations he had sex with a minor, concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. The increased activity under Republican leadership is notable given the committee probe was started by House Democrats in 2021. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust the former speaker because of the ethics probe. The probe expanded over the years before the Justice Department officially decided last year not to charge the congressman.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, ” Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, “, Norman Eisen, Donald Trump’s, ” Eisen, Eisen, ”, Bill Barr, Joel Greenberg, Department’s, won’t Organizations: GOP, Florida Republican, Justice Department, CNN, Justice, Republican, House Democrats, Department of Justice, Democrats, DOJ, Trump, Gaetz Locations: Florida, California

☆ Jayapal issues new statement that she ‘unequivocally condemns Hamas’ use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Haley Talbot | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state said Tuesday that she “unequivocally condemns Hamas’ use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war,” following comments she made to CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday that set off a firestorm among her Democratic colleagues in the House. “Let me be completely clear again that I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war,” Jayapal said in her latest statement. Hear Jayapal's response 03:00 - Source: CNNIn her statement Tuesday, Jayapal said her comment “about balance was not about rape, and not intended to minimize rape and sexual assault in any way.”“It was about recognizing the tremendous pain and trauma of so many—Israelis, Palestinians and their diaspora communities—in this terrible war,” Jayapal stated. The House passed a Republican-led resolution on Tuesday condemning antisemitism in the United States and globally. Separately, Democratic Reps. Lois Frankel of Florida and Debbie Dingell of Michigan are planning on introducing a resolution this week condemning Hamas’ use of sexual violence and rape against Israeli women.

Persons: Pramila, “, CNN’s Dana Bash, ” Jayapal, Jayapal, ”, Lois Frankel of Florida, Debbie Dingell, CNN’s Annie Grayer Organizations: Democratic, Congressional Progressive Caucus, CNN, Democratic Party, Hamas, Republican Locations: Washington, “ State, Gaza, Israel, United States, Michigan

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