# "House to start an impeachment inquiry into President Biden" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 12, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995 "2023-09-12T16:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/101 "2023-09-15T21:26:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They don’t know yet. That’s why they need the inquiry. While that might be tongue-in-cheek, [that’s literally true](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_inquiry_in_the_United_States). It’s like a police investigation prior to charging someone. You might have suspicions but you won’t levy charges until you see what the evidence says. (Not that I’m saying things like “evidence” are going to matter in _this_ particular situation.) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/102 "2023-09-15T21:29:05Z")
I think the best thing would be for McCarthy to totally call their bluff. If they don’t remove him, it was all a bluff and he can ignore them going forward as the mere powerless spoiled children they are. And if they do remove him, the R House delegation will very publicly tear itself apart for 6 or 12 months creating lots of opportunities for D congressmembers and congressmember wannabes to stoke public resentment over these clowns. Improving the D’s seat haul in 2024. Whichever result occurs, the USA is better off for it. The problem with McCarthy doing what he’d doing, repeatedly submitting to the terrorists demands, is that it simply encourages them to wave the same (fake?) bomb around the room again and demand more. And more. And MORE. Do not negotiate with people like that. Especially do not appease people like that. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/103 "2023-09-15T21:35:47Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think the best thing would be for McCarthy to totally call their bluff. > **[McCarthy dares GOP detractors to 'file the f---ing motion' if they want to...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mccarthy-dares-conservatives-motion-vacate-speaker-government-shutdown-rcna105069)** > > The remarks, confirmed to NBC News by two sources in a closed-door meeting, reflect renewed tension within the House Republican ranks as a government shutdown looms. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/104 "2023-09-15T21:40:13Z")
Of course if McCarthy bends the knee to their demands in public then all we have is a moment of spunk during the pre-game warm-up. But it does show may, just maybe, McCarthy is tiring of this game. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/105 "2023-09-15T21:53:17Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Further, I don’t think this would work – the minute some Democrats started supporting McCarthy, he’d lose virtually all Republican support. I was thinking the same thing. If he was seen to be working with the Democrats, that’s what would unite _all_ of the Republicans, full wacko and less wacko alike, and they’d make sure he was out of there ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/106 "2023-09-15T22:30:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The problem with McCarthy doing what he’d doing, repeatedly submitting to the terrorists demands, is that it simply encourages them to wave the same (fake?) bomb around the room again and demand more. And more. And MORE. I’ve seen this before. It’s part of the Russian playbook in Ukraine. If you send or use such and such a weapon here or there; will go nuclear. It’s a bully threat from a playground near you. Unfortunately for Americans, this playground is the seat of government. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/107 "2023-09-15T22:35:48Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > And if they do remove him, the R House delegation will very publicly tear itself apart for 6 or 12 months creating lots of opportunities for D congressmembers and congressmember wannabes to stoke public resentment over these clowns Let’s get the government financing bills done first, though. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/108 "2023-09-15T23:19:47Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I was thinking the same thing. If he was seen to be working with the Democrats, that’s what would unite _all_ of the Republicans, full wacko and less wacko alike, and they’d make sure he was out of there ASAP. A different option is for the Dems to abstain on the motion to vacate. (Did someone else post that upthread?) They could just say that this is an internal problem for McCarthy to solve, within his own conference. Get back to us when you’re ready to deal with real business, not your party squabbles. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/109 "2023-09-15T23:31:44Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > I’ve seen this before. It’s part of the Russian playbook in Ukraine. If you send or use such and such a weapon here or there; will go nuclear. It’s a bully threat from a playground near you. Well, we’ve seen the opposite of it with Russian nuclear threats in Ukraine. Nobody in positions of importance has ever taken them seriously; they’ve been blindingly obvious bluffs. To condense Perun’s video on the topic down, nations publicly declare their nuclear doctrines specifically to make it very clear to potential adversaries what they consider to be actions that could result in a nuclear response. Providing the country they have invaded with specific types of military hardware has never been grounds for nuclear escalation by Russia, or any other country for that matter. > **[Calling Russia's nuclear bluff - Russian nuclear doctrine & the Ukraine war](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOO0hCCSk4%2F)** > > I survived COVID, let's talk about nuclear war.Russia's nuclear threats, and warnings of potential nuclear war growing out of the Ukraine invasion, make for ... ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/110 "2023-09-16T01:55:03Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s like a police investigation prior to charging someone. You might have suspicions but you won’t levy charges until you see what the evidence says. Is it common for police to start an investigation into a person when they don’t even know what crime they are investigating? I mean, I guess a corrupt police chief could just investigate people he didn’t like to see what he could come up with… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/111 "2023-09-16T02:31:38Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > And if they do remove him, the R House delegation will very publicly tear itself apart for 6 or 12 months creating lots of opportunities for D congressmembers and congressmember wannabes to stoke public resentment over these clowns > > Let’s get the government financing bills done first, though. Assuming it takes another nine weeks for the Republicans to choose a new speaker, this is a good does this mean that nothing could happen legislatively during the vacancy period? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/112 "2023-09-16T02:31:49Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > IMHO, if I were Hakeem Jeffries, I would be talking with McCarthy behind the scenes, and assuring him that the Democrats will vote against his ouster should that come about, as long as he can deliver on the budget agreement and not shutting down the government. You want Democrats to give McCarthy something he wants now, in return for something the Democrats want later; have you learned nothing about dealing with Republicans in the age of Trump? ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/113 "2023-09-16T02:49:29Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Assuming it takes another nine weeks for the Republicans to choose a new speaker, this is a good does this mean that nothing could happen legislatively during the vacancy period? There would be an acting speaker. The current speaker has to provide a list when he or she is elected of members who can fill a vacancy due to illness, death, or being ousted. That person serves until a new speaker is elected. > Under the [rules of the House](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedures_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives), the speaker, “as soon as practicable after the election of the speaker and whenever appropriate thereafter”, must deliver to the clerk of the House a confidential list of members who are designated to act as speaker in the case of a vacancy or physical inability of the speaker to perform their duties.[[50]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives#cite_note-50) ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/114 "2023-09-16T02:57:49Z")
Oh dammit, I was just writing this up when you sniped me. 🙂 I’ll just add, the rules state that the Member acting as Speaker _pro tempore_ during a vacancy may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be “necessary and appropriate” until the election of a new Speaker. It’s not clear what authorities would fall under that “necessary and appropriate” umbrella, or who even gets to make that determination. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/115 "2023-09-16T04:35:11Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > There would be an acting speaker. Is there any rule that that acting speaker can’t also be voted out? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/116 "2023-09-16T05:56:32Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Is it common for police to start an investigation into a person when they don’t even know what crime they are investigating? They’ve said what they’re investigating; corruption. That’s not a mystery. They’ve been howling about it for a long time. They’ve been open about that for a long time. Specifically, corruption in regards to money deals with foreign entities, misusing his VP position to get money in Ukraine and China. On top of that, he’s accused of using his current position to force the DOJ to sweep Hunter’s crimes under the rug. Of course, all of those accusations are based on nothing. There’s no “probable cause” to use the law enforcement term. But there’s never been a mystery in regards to the accusations. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/117 "2023-09-16T08:02:49Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > > Assuming it takes another nine weeks for the Republicans to choose a new speaker, this is a good does this mean that nothing could happen legislatively during the vacancy period? > > There would be an acting speaker. The current speaker has to provide a list when he or she is elected of members who can fill a vacancy due to illness, death, or being ousted. That person serves until a new speaker is elected. > > > Under the [rules of the House](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedures_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives), the speaker, “as soon as practicable after the election of the speaker and whenever appropriate thereafter”, must deliver to the clerk of the House a confidential list of members who are designated to act as speaker in the case of a vacancy or physical inability of the speaker to perform their duties.[[50]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives#cite_note-50) If he can update the list at will, can he change it to designate a Democrat? Ooh! Or maybe he already made a Democrat his designee when he was elected to put a poison pill in the agreement to get the gavel! Anyone think he’s that smart? ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/118 "2023-09-16T09:17:09Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Anyone think he’s that smart? Or that the MAGA nuts are that dumb? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/119 "2023-09-16T09:20:54Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > > Anyone think he’s that smart? > > 0r that the MAGA nuts are that dumb? Hell, that proposition isn’t even controversial. And it _does_ say that the list is confidential.\* \*Which I concede is not synonymous with “secret.” ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995/120 "2023-09-16T09:45:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > that proposition isn’t even controversial. Accepting “Hakeem Jeffries” as McCarthy’s replacement would be a new level of MAGA nuts shooting themselves in the foot, though, virtually assuring McCarthy a lock on holding onto the speakership. It would be interesting to know who this person is, because it’s hard to imagine anyone who’d take the designation other than a MAGA nut, but it’s harder to imagine that McCarthy would designate one of them to replace him since that gives them an enormous motive to zotz him immediately. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-to-start-an-impeachment-inquiry-into-president-biden/989995.md?page=7)