TEXAS, USA — Congressman Tony Gonzales is one of the many Republicans who voted to formalize their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
The San Antonio Republican says the primary reasons he supports continuing the investigation are President Biden’s border policies and the flawed withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021.
“While others are looking at Hunter Biden and his dealings, I’m looking at it in the manner of how he’s handled the border and how he’s handled national security and expanding that inquiry,” Congressman Gonzales told us on Inside Texas Politics.
We asked the Republican directly if he truly believes the President has committed high crimes and misdemeanors, the constitutional requirement for impeachment and removal, and for which no evidence has been provided so far.
“I think this inquiry is going to take us there,” Congressman Gonzales said.
The U.S. House recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which is required every year. President Biden is expected to sign the defense policy bill, which also includes a 5.2% pay raise for troops.
But the compromise legislation was stripped of some of the more controversial demands made by far-right Republicans, including provisions that took aim at the Pentagon’s policies on abortion and DEI initiatives.
While the measure did extend some funding for Ukraine, the majority of any future aid to that country will have to be passed in a separate bill.
Congressman Gonzales explained why: “I strongly support Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from its aggressor, Russia, who invaded them illegally. And I think the United States needs to stand firm with our allies, whether that be Israel, whether that be Ukraine or Taiwan or anywhere else,” the Congressman said. “I also believe we shouldn’t just be sending a blank check. We have to make sure that the funds, and more importantly the resources, are going to achieving a mission.”
Congress faces its next spending deadline to avoid a government shutdown on January 19, 2024, and the Republican does not expect any more funding or appropriations bills to be approved before the new year.
“Congress will punt on first down if you allow them to. And you should absolutely expect us to punt on first down,” he said.
Congressman Gonzales also discussed his bill, “The Find and Protect Foster Youth Act,” which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to find better ways to identify and respond to missing children from foster care systems.
“I’m excited about this bill that’s about to be signed into law that identifies foster care children that run away, what happens to them while they’re gone,” the Republican explained. “And then when they get back, you know, why did they run away? What happened when they were gone? And what can we do to advocate on their behalf to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”