To say that the House GOP needs to get its priorities straight is the biggest of understatements.
Republicans have decided to continue their quest to impeach President Joe Biden. On Wednesday, the House voted 221-212 — strictly along party lines — to formalize an impeachment inquiry into the president .
Seems like the Republicans have their ducks in a row, except for one little thing: evidence.
The GOP impeachment inquiry is based on political payback rather than actual fact.
Since former House Speaker and soon-to-be former Congressman (oh, how time flies) Kevin McCarthy directed the House to conduct an impeachment inquiry, not one shred of evidence has been found to show the president is guilty of any wrongdoing, much less “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
This sham is all about damaging the president as the 2024 election season heats up.
No evidence, no problem
Also on Wednesday, House Republicans subpoenaed Hunter Biden to testify behind closed doors. He refused to comply. In a news conference Wednesday, Biden made clear what he thinks of the GOP’s move to impeach his father.
“During my battle with addiction, my parents were there for me,” Hunter Biden said. “They literally saved my life. They helped me in ways I will never be able to repay. In the depths of my addiction, I was extremely irresponsible with my finances. But, to suggest that is grounds for an impeachment inquiry is beyond absurd, it is shameless.”
Hunter Biden is not perfect; his troubled past is well documented. From his statements, he would be the first person to tell you that. He wants to testify in public instead of in private, as GOP lawmakers had wanted. Furthermore, he’s going to stand trial for crimes he’s accused of committing. The justice system is already handling his case, so why does the GOP feel the need to attack him?
In short, it’s because they don’t know how to lead. The House Republicans’ thin majority is about to shrink even more. Instead of leading on policy, they are choosing theater and political hit jobs. Lurking in the background is former President Donald Trump, who has vowed retribution for his two impeachments.
The House vote formalizing the impeachment inquiry guarantees this ridiculous dog-and-pony show will extend into next year. Republicans are eager to keep their red base angry and animated.
Here is Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District Rep. Chuck Fleischmann:
“The American People are calling for the truth from President Biden and his Administration,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. ” … My colleagues and I in the House are committed to delivering the truth, transparency, and accountability that the American People demand and deserve.”
Seriously? No evidence produced yet. It surely is election season for Fleischmann, who seems more focused on rallying his MAGA base than actually serving his community. The accountability that Fleischmann is referring to should be directed back at him. What is he doing for the people of Tennessee right now? How is supporting an impeachment inquiry that is based on nothing but political retribution beneficial to Tennessee residents? Fleischmann and his GOP colleagues are fanning the flames of divisiveness. No one is getting help, no one is being served.
Prioritize your vote
It’s clear where the Republican priorities are: Impeach Biden and help Trump return to the one place he should never be seen in again — the White House. The most important question is where are the priorities of the American people?
We have the power in next year’s elections to pry the power from Republican hands and the influence they have on our political process at the state and federal levels.
Whatever your feelings about President Biden are, he is a decent man, a leader who has dedicated his life to making this country better, not by listening to just one side but by working with everyone. Impeaching him is a waste of taxpayer resources and a vindictive effort by Republicans to distract Americans from a tragic reality: They cannot govern. They cannot lead.
As dark as this might seem to the common-sense American, there will always be hope. We will find that at the ballot box.
So vote. Plain and simple.