Republicans seek contempt charges for Hunter Biden

House Republicans have recommended that Hunter Biden be charged with contempt of Congress, after he refused to appear at a closed doors hearing last month.

Mr Biden was subpoenaed to testify privately about his business dealings for the impeachment case against his father, President Joe Biden.

He refused, and Republicans called his actions "contemptuous" and unlawful in a report published on Monday.

Democrats say the case is a meritless partisan attack against the president.

Rep James Comer, who chairs the Oversight Committee, released the report on Monday. It recommends that Hunter Biden face charges, which he will if a resolution is passed by Comer's committee and then the entire House.

"We planned to question Hunter Biden," Mr Comer said in a statement, "but he blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas, choosing to read a prepared statement outside of the Capitol instead of appearing for testimony as required."

Mr Biden's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In November, Mr Biden told House Republicans that he was willing to testify to the Oversight Committee, but only if it was a public hearing. His counsel, Abbe Lowell, said it would "let the light shine" on the proceedings.

Republicans refused, and instead Mr Biden made a rare in-person statement outside the Capitol on the day he was to appear before Congress. He slammed Republicans, alleging they had "distorted the facts" and called for a public hearing.

He added that he would not testify privately, and said there was "no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business, because it did not happen".

"Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say," the president's son added. "What are they afraid of? I'm here. I'm ready."

The Oversight Committee, which Mr Comer chairs, is planning to consider the resolution on Wednesday morning. Its passage through that body is the first step toward it being considered by the wider House.

At the same time, the Judiciary Committee - chaired by Rep Jim Jordan of Ohio - will review the report released on Monday that lays out the Republicans' case against Hunter Biden. The process will give opposition Democrats an opportunity to read the report and offer notes.

But the entire House would have to vote to refer Hunter Biden to the Justice Department for contempt of Congress charges. Because of the razor thin majority Republicans have in the House, all of its members would likely have to vote to pass it.

Republicans have led a months-long investigation into the president that has yet to uncover any concrete evidence of misconduct.

The inquiry has centred in part around Hunter Biden, who also faces federal tax and gun charges. He has pleaded not guilty. The impeachment probe has focused on his work for companies overseas, including in Ukraine and China.

House Republicans have also alleged that the US Justice Department "impeded, delayed, and obstructed" an ongoing multi-year criminal probe into the president's son.

Democrats and even some Republicans have criticised the impeachment investigation, which the White House has called a "political stunt" designed to hurt the president's re-election bid.