House Republican leaders are planning an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden next month, according to new reports.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) informed GOP lawmakers in a private conference call that the impeachment inquiry is a "natural progression" from ongoing investigations.

Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (OH-04) also informed members that McCarthy suggested a vote on opening an impeachment inquiry next month, as reported by Fox News.

Impeachment inquiry to start in September

A Republican lawmaker, who requested anonymity, confirmed reports that Jordan told members of the speaker's expectation that an impeachment inquiry would come to the floor in September.

Another source familiar with the discussions confirmed that McCarthy expressed to several conference members that the momentum from Congress' probes is enough to push for an impeachment inquiry in the fall, after the August recess.

President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, are under scrutiny by three separate House GOP-led committees over allegations of bribery and other corruption in Hunter's foreign business dealings.

There is also an investigation into a nearly struck plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department regarding the first son's taxes, although that deal has since fallen apart.

McCarthy's statement

McCarthy, in an interview with Fox Business Mornings With Maria, stated that an impeachment inquiry was a "natural step forward" in the investigations, although he did not specify when it could occur.

However, not all Republicans are confident that the effort will succeed.

A GOP lawmaker who spoke with Fox News Digital expressed doubt about having the votes to get it authorized. The anonymous lawmaker stated:

I don't think they have the votes to get it.

A source familiar with the discussions also mentioned that there was some argument that a vote is not needed to authorize an impeachment inquiry.

During former President Donald Trump's first impeachment, House Democrats held a vote on a resolution to formalize the rules for the public phase of his inquiry, which was largely an endorsement of the process that had already begun behind closed doors.

Reluctance among moderates

The GOP lawmaker suggested that McCarthy would only move forward with his plan next month if there was overwhelming support and not risk endangering vulnerable Republicans.

The lawmaker believes that moderates would be very reluctant to support the impeachment inquiry. The lawmaker said:

I think they would be very reluctant to make the moderates walk the plank on that boat. I think McCarthy will only bring it to the floor for a vote if he thinks that he has the votes to do it.

The lawmaker also suggested that the impeachment inquiry is being set up for next month to appease conservatives who are watching McCarthy closely to see if he works with Democrats to strike a deal to fund the government next year. The GOP lawmaker said:

He's using impeachment to distract from the issues that he has with the appropriations bills.

The House of Representatives is returning from its six-week August recess on Sept. 12.

At that point, the impeachment inquiry will likely take a backseat to Congress' race to strike a deal on funding the government by Sept. 30, otherwise risking a partial government shutdown.

Conclusion

• House Republican leaders are planning an impeachment inquiry against President Biden next month.
• There is skepticism among some Republicans about the success of this effort.
• Some believe the impeachment inquiry is being used as a distraction from other pressing issues, such as the appropriations bills.
• The House of Representatives will return from its August recess on Sept. 12.