Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced this week the opening of a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over allegations of corruption, and Maine’s congressional delegation has begun to speak publicly about it.
[RELATED: Kevin McCarthy To Throw Support Behind Impeachment Inquiry Into Biden]
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), the only Republican in Maine’s delegation, gave a tepid acknowledgement of the inquiry, stating that “the House is going to do what the House is going to do.”
“That is a decision to be made by the House, which has exclusive authority over impeachment proceedings,” she said.
Under impeachment proceedings, the House would vote on charges against President Biden, but his case would be tried in the Senate.
Both of Maine’s Representatives have offered public comment on the impeachment inquiry.
According to WGME, Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-CD1) has said that Speaker McCarthy is “clinging to support from Republicans at the expense of Mainers.”
Rep. Jared Golden (ME-CD2) took a comparatively less aggressive stance.
“I will treat any articles of impeachment brought before the House of Representatives for a vote with the same in-depth analysis as I did past impeachments,” Rep. Golden said.
“No matter who occupies the White House, matters of impeachment must be dealt with responsibly and all charges and supporting evidence should be given proper consideration,” he said.
[RELATED: “Culture of Corruption”: McCarthy Orders Formal Impeachment Inquiry, But Conservatives Are Skeptical]
Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, is the only member of the delegation who has not yet spoken publicly on the matter.
When announcing his intent to pursue the inquiry, McCarthy said that “House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct.”
“Taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption,” he said.
“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction, and corruption, and they warrant further investigation by House of Representatives,” McCarthy elaborated.
The first impeachment proceedings against former Republican President Donald Trump also began with a formal impeachment inquiry launched by then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
According to McCarthy, the inquiry will be led by Chairman of the Oversight Committee James Comer (R-KY), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith (R-MO).
