House Republicans’ contempt resolution against Attorney General Merrick Garland has moved closer to a chamber-wide vote after passing a key procedural hurdle on Tuesday evening. The resolution aims to hold Garland in contempt for his refusal to release audio recordings of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Biden. The resolution, which passed the House Rules Committee in a party-line vote, led to a contentious hearing where Republicans and Democrats clashed over Hur’s assertions about Biden. Despite efforts to focus on Hur’s findings, the debate quickly turned into comparisons between Biden and his son, Hunter, and former President Trump.
The special counsel report, which runs 388 pages, cleared Biden of any wrongdoing despite finding that he “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials” from before his presidency. Hur described Biden as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, making it difficult to convict him of a serious felony. Republicans have seized on this description as proof that Biden is unfit to be president, accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of selective prosecution. Democrats, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, argue that Hur’s comments on Biden’s mental state were unnecessary and challenged the validity of these claims during the hearing.
Calls for the release of the actual audio of the interview have been made by Republicans, emphasizing the importance of transparency and letting the American people make their own judgment. Rep. Harriet Hageman claimed that Hur’s reason for not recommending prosecution against Biden was based on his mental state as described in the report. Democrats, however, view this pursuit of audio recordings as a distraction from more significant issues and political attacks against the President and his family. The divide among committee members highlights the ongoing debate over the weaponization of the DOJ for political gain.
Despite the likely passage of the resolution along party lines, House GOP leaders are aware of the slim margin they have with their two-seat majority and the need to avoid any errors during the House-wide vote. The wider impeachment inquiry into Biden and accusations of profiting off his political status have further fueled Republicans’ pursuit of the Hur-Biden tapes. The focus on transparency and accountability within the DOJ and concerns over political motivations in prosecuting individuals highlight the ongoing tensions between the two parties in Congress. The outcome of the House-wide vote is eagerly anticipated as it could further deepen divisions within the political landscape.
