Several House Republicans voiced their discontent on Wednesday regarding Representative Lauren Boebert's attempt to expedite a vote on impeaching President Biden, circumventing the established committee process. Boebert, a Colorado Republican, introduced a privileged resolution on Tuesday evening, aiming to impeach Biden due to the ongoing border situation. This move seemingly caught many of her fellow party members unprepared. A privileged resolution enables legislators to compel a vote on the House floor without committee review, a procedure some Republicans oppose.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, refrained from indicating his support for Boebert's resolution, but expressed his displeasure with her circumvention of his committee, despite its ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption against the Biden family. "I disagree with her approach of bypassing the committee, particularly as our Oversight Committee investigation, of which she is a member, uncovers new information almost daily," Comer stated to Fox News Digital.
Comer emphasized the importance of the Oversight Committee's ongoing work. "We need to complete our investigation and issue a report. Based on the report's findings, the Judiciary Committee would then hold hearings on any potential wrongdoing and potential impeachment. I wish she had chosen a different course of action."
Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, criticized the perceived trivialization of impeachment. "The previous majority cheapened impeachment, turning it into a political game. This should be a serious matter, handled through the Judiciary or Oversight Committee. Impeachment should be pursued only if there's substantial evidence, not used for political maneuvering."
Echoing this sentiment, Representative Kelly Armstrong, a North Dakota Republican, advocated for adherence to established procedures. "I believe in following regular order. We fought hard to ensure rank-and-file members have committee access. We should utilize this process."
Both Bacon and Representative Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican and former Interior Secretary under President Trump, indicated their intention to vote with Democrats to table Boebert's resolution. Zinke, recalling the impeachment proceedings against President Trump, emphasized the importance of a thorough and transparent process through the Judiciary Committee. "Impeachment should be pursued so the American people can see all the evidence. The Judiciary Committee, under Jim Jordan's leadership, is the appropriate venue for this." He criticized Boebert's approach as "theatrical" and "self-serving."
Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, noted Boebert's absence from Wednesday morning's party meeting. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, offered a noncommittal response to Boebert's actions, stating, "Members have the right to pursue their chosen course of action." Given the narrow House majority, Democrats only require a small number of Republican votes to table Boebert's motion.
