Long Island’s three Republican congressmen – Reps. Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito, and Andrew Garbarino – all voted with their party to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
The inquiry officially began on Sept. 12, when then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) claimed that House investigations “paint a picture” of corruption. The inquiry has focused on Hunter Biden and his business dealings during Joe Biden’s tenure as vice president.
Reuters reported that Republicans have turned up evidence that Hunter Biden had “led clients to believe that he could provide access to the vice president’s office,” but added no evidence had been turned up to prove Joe Biden himself took any official action to help his son’s clients.
Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, claimed to have subpoenaed bank records revealing Hunter Biden’s business entity, Owasco PC, made direct monthly payments to Joe Biden.
“When Joe Biden was Vice President, he spoke by phone, attended dinners, and had coffee with his son’s foreign business associates,” Comer said in a statement. “President Biden and his family must be held accountable for this blatant corruption.”
The vote to formalize the inquiry passed along party lines – 221-212.
Rep. D’Esposito clarified that this was not immediately a vote in favor of impeaching the president.
“I voted to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden so that the full House may conduct important oversight work into the Executive Branch,” D’Esposito said. “This was not a vote for impeachment proceedings against President Biden, but rather provides Congress an opportunity to gather the facts about claims made against the president in a transparent manner.”
Rep. LaLota echoed this sentiment on Twitter.
“The President’s family was paid millions from foreign entities in China and Ukraine,” LaLota wrote. “They were paid either because they were qualified and performed legitimate work or as part of an influence scheme. The impeachment inquiry will help America to know the truth.”
Garbarino also emphasized how he felt the purpose was to ensure transparency.
“Opening an inquiry is the necessary next step in the process of seeking out the facts and providing transparency for the American people,” Garbarino said. “The investigative committees are doing their due diligence by seeking out the facts and conducting the executive oversight that is Congress’ solemn responsibility. However, the administration has refused to cooperate again and again. This inquiry will provide congress with the tools necessary to compel compliance and complete its investigation.”
