US House committee votes to recommend Hunter Biden be held in contempt

WASHINGTON

The House Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to recommend that the full chamber vote to hold US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, in contempt of Congress for defying a congressional subpoena.

The Republican-led committee voted along party lines 23-14, according to multiple reports, to refer the matter to the full House to weigh whether Hunter Biden should be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution on contempt charges for failing to appear for closed-door testimony last month.

Another vote is expected in the Oversight Committee later Wednesday.

The junior Biden had earlier made a surprise appearance at the Oversight Committee hearing before abruptly leaving as Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was speaking.

Hunter Biden was subpoenaed for a deposition at the Capitol on Dec. 13. While he did appear at the federal legislature that day, he refused to provide testimony behind closed doors, defying lawmakers.

Biden said during a press conference on the Capitol grounds that he would testify publicly, but did not want to do so behind closed doors out of concern that his words would be manipulated by Republicans. That prompted Republicans to announce that they would pursue contempt proceedings.

Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, lambasted Republicans for voting to hold Biden in contempt, saying three of their members defied earlier issued subpoenas.

"You should not be standing in judgement on contempt of other people who allegedly have violated their subpoenas when you have violated a subpoena and have not complied with the orders of the US House of Representatives," Raskin said in reference to Representatives Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs and Scott Perry.