House Republicans took a major step toward impeaching President Joe Biden on Wednesday. According to Speaker Mike Johnson, the resolution to open the inquiry has passed. 

My joint statement with @SteveScalise, @GOPMajorityWhip, and @RepStefanik on House passage of the impeachment inquiry:

Today, the House took a critical step in our investigation into serious matters involving President Joe Biden by formally opening an impeachment inquiry. As…

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 13, 2023

The resolution passed 221-212 with one member not voting. It would appear that every single Republican voted for the inquiry, which is a very rare show of unity in an often disjointed House chamber. 

The House voted in favor of formalizing the impeachment inquiry into Biden pic.twitter.com/2p7uIuYmRK

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) December 13, 2023

Now, Rep. James Comer and the rest of the committee leading the inquiry will have broadened powers to subpoena individuals and documents. That will provide very useful in attempting to garner Biden's personal bank records to compare against those they've already obtained. Were the direct payments from James Biden to Joe Biden really a "loan repayment?" An answer should be provided on that. 

Does this mean House Republicans will now move to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for defying his subpoena? That's not known yet. Prior reports are that the president's son will be given another chance to show up. Regardless, the excuse offered by Rep. Jim Jordan earlier in the day that an inquiry hasn't been opened yet no longer applies.