Why the GOP will likely rubber-stamp its fact-free Biden impeachment inquiry

Three months after then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, the House is set to vote Wednesday to formally authorize one. It’s a move that McCarthy dodged in September because he knew he didn’t have the support to pass any authorizing resolution in the face of skepticism from moderates and members from districts Biden won.

But Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is plowing ahead despite the risk of a failed vote. He’s banking on his slim majority holding together in the name of asking Biden questions. What will happen when Republicans don’t get answers they like, though, is a whole other question.

So far, the investigation has been less about the president himself and more about the business conducted by his son Hunter and his brother James over the last decade or so. There’s been no evidence that shows Biden used the office of the vice presidency or the presidency improperly to enrich himself or his relatives. But when has something like a lack of evidence ever stopped congressional Republicans from making allegations of corruption?