In recent developments, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, has been engaging in private discussions with Republican colleagues in an effort to dissuade them from pursuing impeachment charges against President Biden. According to multiple sources familiar with these conversations, Raskin has been dialoguing with various GOP members, ranging from right-wing to moderate, to counter their investigative approaches and evidence amassed in the ongoing inquiry.
Some Republicans have reportedly shown openness to the Biden Administration’s record of cooperation with the investigation. Meanwhile, Fox News Digital has acquired “fact sheets” prepared by House Oversight Democrats aimed at both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. These documents are intended to provide comprehensive information to counter the impeachment narrative. A senior Democratic aide described these sheets as a fact-based approach to provide House Republicans with a complete perspective, which they might not be receiving from their party’s leadership.
One of the memos focuses on obstruction, defending the Biden administration, banks, and private citizens for their extensive cooperation with the committee’s probe into the Biden family’s business activities. Another memo addresses the dismissal of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, countering Republican claims with the assertion that Shokin’s firing was part of a longstanding, bipartisan effort against corruption in Ukraine.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, has expressed irony in the Democrats’ claims of a lack of evidence while simultaneously obstructing the committee’s evidence gathering. Comer insists that evidence collected so far implicates President Biden in benefiting from his family’s use of their last name for financial gain.
The Democrats have also prepared a memo regarding financial transactions involving President Biden and his brother, James Biden. They argue that the transactions were legitimate loan repayments, but Republicans are demanding further documentation to substantiate this claim. They point to the timing of these payments, linking them to Hunter Biden’s dealings with a Chinese energy company.
Amid these developments, President Biden has consistently denied involvement in his son’s foreign business dealings. Last week, reports emerged about Biden’s alleged communication with his son and business partner using an email alias while serving as vice president. Biden has dismissed these allegations as lies.
Raskin’s behind-the-scenes efforts are unfolding as the House Rules Committee prepares to meet to formalize the framework for the impeachment inquiry against President Biden. The inquiry, led by Comer, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, is examining foreign funds received by the Biden family and any involvement of President Biden in these dealings, as well as the administration’s actions regarding the criminal investigation into Hunter Biden.