House Republicans vote for Biden's impeachment probe

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved opening an impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden.

Republicans said the vote, which was 221-212, was needed to give them full authority to continue their investigation amid anticipated legal challenges from the White House.

All Democrats voted against the probe and criticized the vote as a political stunt and a move to exact retribution on behalf of former president Donald Trump, who was impeached twice by the House before being acquitted by the Senate.

Authorizing the inquiry ensures the impeachment investigation goes well into 2024 when Biden will be running for reelection and is expected to again face Trump.

In a statement about the impeachment effort, the president questioned the priorities of House Republicans in pursuing an inquiry against him and his family.

"Instead of doing anything to help make Americans' lives better, they are focused on attacking me with lies," the president said following the vote.

Since winning the majority, House Republicans have been investigating various aspects of the president's family and administration, looking for evidence that could be used to prove he is corrupt and should be impeached. Trump has urged their investigation at each step.

The investigation will look into whether the president had ties to the overseas business dealings of his son, Hunter. GOP lawmakers have obtained testimony that Biden, before becoming president, occasionally met with his son's business associates. Their investigation has raised ethical questions, but no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice-president.

The Republican inquiry has focused heavily on Hunter Biden, who is under indictment on federal tax and gun charges and the work he did for firms and partners overseas.

They are also examining whether the Biden administration interfered with the Justice Department probe of Hunter Biden and whether the president mishandled classified files when he was vice-president or a senator.