The first hearing focussed on foreign payments to family members.US Republicans leading an impeachment inquiry of American President Joe Biden detailed foreign payments to members of his family in their first hearing on Thursday, but did not provide evidence that the Democratic president had personally benefited.
"If Republicans had a smoking gun or even a dripping water pistol they would be presenting it today. But they've got nothing," said Jamie Raskin, the panel's top Democrat. George Washington University professor Jonathan Turley and forensic accountant Bruce Dubinsky said the panel had enough evidence to open an impeachment inquiry but did not have enough evidence to justify impeachment charges.
On Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said that he had issued subpoenas for bank records belonging to Hunter Biden and the president's brother, Frank Biden, as part of an investigation into the family's financial dealings.It is unclear if House Republicans, who have a narrow 221-212 majority, would have the votes at the end of the inquiry to support actual impeachment.