On Thursday, the Republican-led House voted to send articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden to two committees. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) introduced the articles of impeachment, accusing Biden of “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to his administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. Boebert initiated a privileged resolution that would force a vote on the House floor.
While some Republicans expressed opposition to bypassing committees for an impeachment vote, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reached an agreement with Boebert to move the matter forward. The House Rules Committee referred the resolution to the House Homeland Security and House Judiciary Committees, following a party-line vote of 219-208 on Thursday.
In a tweet, Boebert stated, “Today, I initiated historic impeachment proceedings against Joe Biden for his unconstitutional dereliction of duty at the southern border. For the first time in 24 years, House Republicans united to protect the separation of powers and start a formal impeachment inquiry.”
Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TX) announced that his committee, which is already investigating Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, will also examine the president’s actions. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) stated that his panel will rely on the House Oversight Committee’s border inquiry report and act accordingly. Jordan noted that the primary jurisdiction for the resolution lies with the Homeland Security Committee.
Democrats criticized Republicans for their efforts to impeach President Biden, dismissing them as frivolous. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) described the entire process as unserious and lacking merit.