Why it matters: It marks the House Republicans’ first attempt at enforcing one of the subpoenas this Congress by holding a witness in contempt.
The latest: House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a joint statement, “Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings.”
Driving the news: Biden, in a rare in-person statement outside the Senate on Wednesday, reiterated his demand that he testify at a public hearing of the House Oversight Committee rather than a private deposition.
- “Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say,” said Biden. “What are they afraid of? I’m here. I’m ready.”