The House is set to proceed with holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress in the week of January 15, rejecting his recent offer to undergo a closed-door deposition if reissued a subpoena.

Committee chairmen James Comer (R-KY) of the House Oversight Committee and Jim Jordan (R-OH) of the House Judiciary Committee expressed skepticism about Hunter's commitment, citing his history of employing delay tactics and public relations strategies.

House Moves Forward on Hunter Biden Contempt Vote, Rejecting ‘Stunts or Delay’ Tactics https://t.co/j0ir8etrzn

— Eli (@RobertEliason7) January 13, 2024

The proposal

Hunter Biden's proposal to participate in a closed-door deposition was contingent on the reissuing of a subpoena. He argued that the previous subpoenas were legally invalid as they were issued before the existence of the impeachment inquiry.

House investigators perceive this offer as an attempt to elicit public sympathy and potentially dissuade Attorney General Merrick Garland from pursuing charges in the event of a successful contempt vote.

The vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt is scheduled for the week of January 15.

The GOP response

In response to Hunter's offer, Comer and Jordan stated that while they would work to schedule a deposition date, they would not tolerate additional delays or maneuvers from Hunter Biden.

They emphasized that neither the American people nor the House would grant special treatment to the Biden family.

House Republicans have been steadfast in their demand for Hunter Biden to participate in a deposition as part of the ongoing impeachment inquiry, citing his crucial role as a material witness.

The contempt debate

Despite Hunter's current willingness to comply with a subpoena, Republicans highlighted that he had already defied two valid subpoenas. They pointed out that instead of appearing for his deposition on December 13, 2023, Hunter Biden made a public statement on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol without taking questions.

At a recent Oversight Committee markup of his contempt resolution, Hunter Biden continued to defy duly issued subpoenas, according to Republicans.

The House investigators initiated the impeachment inquiry into the Biden family in November 2022, revealing financial transactions involving Joe Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden, as well as payments to additional Biden family members from foreign business ventures.

Hunter Biden argued that the previous subpoenas were legally invalid as they were issued before the existence of the impeachment inquiry. At a recent Oversight Committee markup of his contempt resolution, Hunter Biden continued to defy duly issued subpoenas, according to Republicans.

The House investigators to pursue its investigation President Joe Biden, James Biden, and Hunter Biden, as well as payments to additional Biden family members from foreign business ventures.