House of Representatives Votes to Refer Impeachment Resolution Against President Joe Biden to Two Committees

The House of Representatives voted Thursday to refer a resolution to impeach President Joe Biden to two committees, Homeland Security and Judiciary. The 219-208 party-line vote came after Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., a conservative hard-liner, huddled with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and agreed to forgo her push to force an impeachment vote this week.

The Colorado Republican initially wanted to actually impeach President Joe Biden, and she used a special House procedure that would have forced the vote, but the idea was unpopular with a lot of Republicans and she wound up settling for the committee referral instead.

Despite the change in plans, Boebert described Thursday’s vote as historic, hailing it as the first time in 24 years that a Republican majority moved forward with impeachment proceedings. She said the referral to the committees was a way to “ensure the American people have the answers they deserve” about the president’s actions.

The referral of the resolution to the committees is seen as a way for Republicans to avoid a hasty impeachment vote that likely would have failed on the floor, infuriated conservative activists and caused further division within the party.

The committees will now review the resolution and decide whether to take any action. It is unclear when the committees will make their decision, but it is likely to be a lengthy process. In the meantime, the resolution will remain in limbo, and the fate of President Biden’s impeachment remains uncertain.