Washington, D.C. – As December unfolds, Congress finds itself grappling with a range of pressing issues. From an impeachment inquiry to passing the annual defense policy bill, lawmakers are facing critical deadlines. While there is no imminent government shutdown on the horizon, the possibility of dual shutdowns looms as negotiations continue. Against this backdrop, House Republicans are pushing for a formal impeachment inquiry, aiming to capitalize on their political and legislative objectives.
Historically, December has been dubbed “impeachment month” on Capitol Hill. Notably, both President Clinton and former President Trump were impeached during this time. However, the current impeachment inquiry is not expected to result in President Biden’s impeachment before Christmas. Instead, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., aims to pass a resolution formalizing the impeachment probe in the coming week. This move is seen as an opportunity for House Republicans to score a political win and address concerns over obstructed witnesses and alleged wrongdoing by the Biden administration.
If the impeachment inquiry resolution reaches the floor, it is likely to pass, given that Republicans can only afford to lose three votes. The recent shift in favor of an impeachment inquiry can be attributed to lawmakers’ interactions with constituents during the Thanksgiving break. Concerns over foreign donations to the Bidens and the alleged failure to pay taxes on them have resonated with Republican voters. However, Democrats dismiss these efforts as political diversions ahead of the upcoming election year.
While impeachment dominates the headlines, other critical issues demand Congress’s attention. One central matter is the passage of the annual defense policy bill, which faces obstacles related to declassifying information on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). Additionally, the renewal of the foreign surveillance counter-terrorism program known as “FISA” is another contentious topic. However, the most significant challenge lies in President Biden’s international aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. With no hard deadline except the end of the year, it remains uncertain whether Congress will address this issue before the holiday recess.
Republicans insist that Democrats attach a robust border security plan to the aid package. However, Republicans themselves lack consensus on what these provisions should entail. Talks over the border and supplemental spending have recently stalled, potentially derailing the entire package. The consequences of failing to pass international aid are far-reaching, with adversaries like Vladimir Putin, Hamas, and Iran closely watching the outcome. Democrats warn that failure to defend democracy in this critical hour due to border policy disputes could have severe historical repercussions.
While the possibility of Congress leaving town without resolving these issues remains, no one anticipates celebrations. The holiday season has witnessed previous legislative pantheons of five-alarm fires on Capitol Hill, and this year could add to that list. As December progresses, Congress’s ability to address impeachment, defense, and international aid will define the effectiveness of its legislative agenda.
