Democrats shift focus to Harris as Biden impeachment effort dies

House Republicans unveiled their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Monday, but the announcement lacked the anticipated fanfare, coinciding with a shift in focus towards Vice President Kamala Harris. The inquiry, which has faced skepticism from centrist Republicans, appears to have lost momentum following Biden's decision not to seek re-election. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the Oversight Committee, acknowledged earlier this year that a criminal referral was more likely than an impeachment vote, a sentiment that has gained traction as the political landscape evolves. Despite the diminished urgency, Republicans maintained their assertion that Biden engaged in impeachable conduct, a claim that has been met with strong opposition from Democrats and the White House. The report's release during a congressional break, without a press conference, suggests a strategic retreat from aggressive impeachment efforts. As Biden prepares to address the convention, questions arise about the sincerity of the GOP's impeachment push, with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) challenging the Republicans to take decisive action if they believe their claims hold merit. In a related development, Comer announced an investigation into Harris's role as the Biden administration's "border czar," a title the White House has since distanced itself from. Additionally, the Oversight Committee is probing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's connections to China. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a long-time advocate for Biden's impeachment, urged her colleagues to act on the report, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding alleged corruption within the Biden administration.