Congressional Republicans in New York’s swing districts are so far not joining a push by more conservative House members to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
But they are not ruling it out yet, either.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently floated the prospect of a formal impeachment inquiry as a next step in House Republicans’ ongoing look into Biden’s finances. That probe centers on unverified allegations he engaged in a bribery scheme with a foreign national security before becoming president – a claim the White House denies.
North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP Conference, endorsed the idea in an interview on Fox Business last week, saying, “I’m in conversations with Speaker McCarthy and all of our members.”
Escalating it to an impeachment inquiry would enhance the GOP’s investigatory powers. But several Republicans representing districts Biden carried in 2020, including on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, are so far not sold on invoking the “I word.” Though, they are not taking it off the table, either.
Rep. Marc Molinaro, whose district went for Biden by nearly five points in 2020, suggested it is an open question at this point whether an inquiry is warranted.
“Having served every day of my adult life in New York state politics, I can smell corruption. And frankly, the administration would be well served to answer the questions, be transparent and provide their response to the committees that are inquiring,” he said.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, whose Nassau County district favored Biden by nearly 15 points in 2020, said in an interview that he will look at what facts are presented to him. But, he emphasized, he was elected to work on improving public safety and affordability.
“That's what I'm going to focus on now. Until I get presented with something different, that's my focus,” he said.
Asked if the facts are there right now, he said, “I don't see it.”
In a comment to Politico, Rep. Mike Lawler said, “Are the [investigations] producing enough facts and evidence that warrant taking it to the next step? I don’t think it’s there at the moment.”
In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Rep. George Santos said, “I have full trust in Speaker McCarthy’s ability to assess the evidence, and if it comes down to an impeachment inquiry, I will be supportive of the measure and then see what comes of the trial.”
Lawler’s district favored Biden by roughly 10 points in 2020. Santos’ district went for Biden by eight points.
Spokespersons for Reps. Nick LaLota and Brandon Williams, who also represent districts Biden won, did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is already telegraphing his rebuttal to any move by Republicans toward impeachment, weaving it into his argument for winning back control of the chamber next year.
“The extreme MAGA Republicans, who now constitute the majority in the House of Representatives, are out of control and uninterested in solving real problems on behalf of the American people because they'd rather focus on peddling conspiracy theories, impeaching President Biden,” he said.
With the House out of town for August recess, the impeachment question is on the back burner for now. But with many conservative Republicans intent on making this an issue, swing district Republicans may be forced to take a stand: for or against.