The House Rules Committee has halted its proceedings on a key vote regarding Hunter Biden.
The committee's decision follows a proposal from Hunter Biden's lawyers to arrange a new deposition amidst ongoing discussions with House Republicans.
Originally set for Tuesday, the meeting to consider holding Hunter Biden in contempt was deferred. This development comes after last week's resolutions by the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees. They sought to penalize Biden for non-compliance with a December 13, 2023 deposition subpoena.
Friday brought a significant shift when Hunter Biden's legal representatives proposed a discussion to reschedule the deposition. This offer is now under negotiation with House Republicans.
In a previous stance, Hunter Biden had expressed willingness to testify publicly. However, the committees insisted on a private session. His absence on the scheduled date led to a public declaration by Biden, asserting his father's non-involvement in his business activities.
Abbe Lowell, representing Hunter Biden, challenged the legality of the initial subpoenas. He stated they were issued prematurely before formalizing the impeachment inquiry. Lowell assured compliance with a new, legally valid subpoena.
Comer and Jordan, chairs of the respective committees, responded favorably. They agreed to issue a new subpoena, provided it secures Hunter Biden's cooperation.
This series of events began with Hunter Biden's failure to appear for the December 13 deposition. It was followed by the House Oversight Committee's contempt resolution on January 4, 2023.
The next day, the House Judiciary Committee echoed this resolution. By January 6, Lowell's letter marked a turning point, offering compliance with a new subpoena. This culminated in the recent postponement by the House Rules Committee.
As a House Oversight Committee spokesperson outlined, the ongoing negotiations reflect a complex interplay of legal and political considerations. They stated, "Following an exchange of letters between the parties on January 12 and January 14, staff for the committees and lawyers for Hunter Biden are working to schedule Hunter Biden’s appearance."
Committee chairs Comer and Jordan are open to modifying the legal proceedings to guarantee Hunter Biden's involvement in the deposition:
Although the Committee’s subpoenas are lawful and remain legally enforceable, as an accommodation to Mr. Biden and at your request, we are prepared to issue subpoenas compelling Mr. Biden’s appearance at a deposition on a new date in the coming weeks.
The unfolding situation presents a delicate balance for both parties. On one hand, the House Republicans are keen on enforcing their subpoena. On the other, Hunter Biden's legal team is poised to ensure his compliance under acceptable terms.
Lowell's offer, dependent on issuing a new subpoena, sets the stage for potential resolution. It suggests a possible path forward in these complex congressional proceedings.
As these negotiations continue, the political landscape watches closely. The outcome of these talks could significantly impact the broader impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
The House Rules Committee has postponed its vote on whether to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, following his lawyers' offer to reschedule a missed deposition from December 13, 2023. Hunter Biden, initially unwilling to comply with the subpoena for a private session, has shown readiness to testify publicly, asserting his father's non-involvement in his business dealings.
His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, questioned the legality of the initial subpoenas and agreed to comply with a new, legally valid one. This development led to a positive response from committee chairs Comer and Jordan, who are prepared to issue a new subpoena for Biden's deposition.
