Local Congressmen weigh in on House impeachment inquiry of President Biden

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to formalize its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

The vote was along party lines with all 221 Republicans voting for the resolution which includes Bill Johnson (OH-6), David Joyce (OH-14) and Mike Kelly (PA-16).

According to CNN, the vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry is connected to a probe into the Biden family's alleged foreign business dealings, which has struggled to uncover any wrongdoing by President Biden.

Rep. Mike Kelly released this statement after the vote:

"With a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden underway, it's important that we follow the facts to where they lead," said Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). "Over the last several months, investigations led by the House Committees on Ways & Means, Judiciary, and Oversight have produced important information, but questions still remain. We will go where the evidence takes us. The American people deserve the truth."

Future Youngstown State University President Rep. Bill Johnson released this statement:

"Today I voted to continue the inquiry into the business dealings of the Biden family, because I believe we need to continue the debate and collecting the facts so that the American people can come to their own conclusion. This vote did not bring any formal charges against the President; rather, it authorizes the continuation of current existing House committee investigations into whether sufficient grounds exist for impeachment. I believe there is enough credible evidence to continue these preliminary investigations. If the White House was being cooperative, instead of continuing to stonewall and throw up roadblocks, today's vote would not have been necessary."

President Joe Biden called the inquiry "baseless":

"The American people need their leaders in Congress to take action on important priorities for the nation and world.

On Tuesday, I met with the President of Ukraine, who is leading his people in a battle for freedom against Russian aggression. He came to America to ask us for help. Yet Republicans in Congress won't act to help.

The people of Israel are in a battle against terrorists, and they are waiting for our help. Yet Republicans in Congress won't act to help.

We have to address the situation at our southern border, and I am determined to try to fix the problem. We need funding to strengthen border security, but Republicans in Congress won't act to help.

We need to continue our progress on the economy and make sure inflation keeps going down and job growth keeps going up. That means avoiding self-inflicted economic crises like a government shutdown, which Republicans in Congress are driving us toward in just a few weeks because they won't act now to fund the government and critical priorities to make life better for the American people.

There is a lot of work to be done. But after wasting weeks trying to find a new Speaker of the House and having to expel their own members, Republicans in Congress are leaving for a month without doing anything to address these pressing challenges.

I wake up every day focused on the issues facing the American people - real issues that impact their lives, and the strength and security of our country and the world. Unfortunately, House Republicans are not joining me. Instead of doing anything to help make Americans' lives better, they are focused on attacking me with lies. Instead of doing their job on the urgent work that needs to be done, they are choosing to waste time on this baseless political stunt that even Republicans in Congress admit is not supported by facts.

The American people deserve better. I know what I am going to remain focused on. I would invite Republicans in Congress to join me."