The deepening of the investigation into President Biden in Congress and the battle for the budget

2023-09-18 19:57:47, Kosova & Bota CNA

The deepening of the investigation into President Biden in Congress and the

President Joe Biden says he's "focused on the things the American people need," not the political theater of the House of Representatives, which has opened an investigation into whether or not there's evidence of impeachment. for the impeachment of the president regarding his son Hunter Biden's financial dealings with foreign companies. Democrats call the investigations an attempt to divert attention from important matters. The investigations come as lawmakers must reach a deal with President Biden to keep the government open after Sept. 30.

US President Joe Biden went to church in his home state of Delaware, just days after House Republicans opened an investigation into him, citing corruption allegations. The White House calls the investigations a political coup.

"House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said last week.

He emphasized that the charges highlight issues such as "abuse of duty, obstruction of justice and corruption", which "require further investigation by the House of Representatives".

Democrats say this is one of the worst cases of partisan political gamesmanship.

"The White House has cooperated and I believe it will continue to cooperate, because it has nothing to hide. There are no facts to suggest that President Biden has engaged in any violations of the law and acts that would lead to impeachment charges. This is an illegal impeachment inquiry," said House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Republicans say they want more information about the allegations.

"The facts are everywhere. There are sms messages, emails, witnesses, beepers, meetings and phone calls. We have evidence of dinner parties, and it cannot be said that these will not lead to the discovery of other crimes," says Republican legislator Nancy Mace.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate who himself faces more than 40 criminal charges in several court cases, says he supports a government shutdown if House Republicans fail to reach what he calls "a fair deal" for a short-term budget. He did not elaborate on what a "fair deal" on the budget would have to contain.

The futures of President Biden and Republican leader McCarthy are intertwined in this deepening congressional investigation into the President. Even if the House of Representatives approves the impeachment of the President, it is unlikely that the Senate, controlled by Democrats, will agree to conduct the trial against him.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has just a few business days to pass a temporary budget to fund the government to avoid a shutdown.

Some conservative Republicans are seeking bigger cuts in government spending than the level that lawmaker McCarthy agreed to in a budget deal with President Biden earlier this year./ VOA