Biden Impeachment Inquiry

WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives held its first hearing on Thursday in its impeachment inquiry against Democratic President Joe Biden, less than three days before the government will partially shut down without congressional action.

The hearing is not expected to reveal new information about Biden's financial ties to his troubled son Hunter Biden, 53, who pursued a range of international business ventures while struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
As the hearing got underway, Republicans leading the probe alleged that Joe Biden had lied about family members' overseas business dealings and had not taken steps to wall them off from his official duties when he served as vice president between 2009 and 2017.

"The door was wide open to those who purchased what a business associate described as the Biden brand," House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
Republicans have yet to uncover evidence of wrongdoing by Biden after months of initial investigations that have produced thousands of pages of financial records.

"If Republicans had a smoking gun or even a dripping water pistol they would be presenting it today. But they've got nothing," said Jamie Raskin, the panel's top Democrat.

Lawmakers were due to hear from a forensic accountant, a former U.S. Justice Department official and two law professors.