House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has announced that Republicans will proceed with a vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt unless a deal for an interview is reached with his legal team. This decision follows Hunter Biden’s recent change in stance, with his legal team expressing willingness for a closed-door deposition if new subpoenas are issued. The contempt vote is currently scheduled for Thursday, and both the Judiciary and Oversight Committees have recommended holding Biden in contempt after he skipped a closed-door deposition last month. Scalise emphasized the GOP’s readiness to move forward with the contempt vote but left room for negotiation, indicating that the vote could be canceled if a deal for a closed-door deposition is reached.
Key Points:
- U-Turn by Hunter Biden: Hunter Biden’s legal team reversed its stance on Friday, announcing that Biden would participate in a closed-door deposition if Republicans issued new subpoenas. This change in position followed the initial decision to skip the closed-door deposition, with Biden’s team expressing a preference for a public hearing.
- Contempt Vote Scheduled: A contempt vote against Hunter Biden is currently on the House schedule for Thursday. The Judiciary and Oversight Committees had passed reports and resolutions recommending contempt after Biden’s initial refusal to appear for the closed-door deposition.
- Republican Unity Needed: Republicans will require near unity to refer Hunter Biden to the Justice Department for contempt of Congress. Scalise acknowledged that Republicans are dealing with absences, with him working remotely until February due to blood cancer treatment and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) recovering from a car crash.
- Conditional Move Forward: Scalise stated that Republicans are proceeding with the contempt “for now,” indicating a willingness to cancel the vote if an agreement for a closed-door deposition is reached with Hunter Biden’s legal team.
- New Subpoenas Expected: Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan sent a letter to Hunter Biden’s legal team, expressing the committees’ readiness to issue new subpoenas for his closed-door testimony. The letter acknowledges Biden’s willingness to testify and proposes arranging a deposition in the coming weeks.
The threat of a contempt vote against Hunter Biden adds a new layer to the ongoing dispute between Republicans and Biden’s legal team. The conditional move forward allows room for negotiation, and the issuance of new subpoenas reflects the committees’ commitment to arranging a closed-door deposition while accommodating Hunter Biden’s willingness to testify. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments in the coming days.
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