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Politics

House Republicans to Discuss President Biden’s Mental Fitness Under 25th Amendment

Monday 08 July 2024 - 12:13

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In a move that underscores the ongoing political tensions in Washington, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is set to initiate a discussion among House Republicans about invoking the 25th Amendment concerning President Joe Biden's mental fitness. The discussion is slated for a meeting scheduled on Tuesday, Roy revealed in an interview with Fox News.

Roy emphasized the necessity for Republicans to establish a clear stance on President Biden’s mental competence, a subject that has been a point of contention among his critics. The 25th Amendment, specifically Section 4, delineates the procedure for removing a president from office if they are deemed incapacitated.

However, bringing a resolution on the 25th Amendment to the House floor is not straightforward. Unlike impeachment, which is considered a "privileged" resolution due to its constitutional assignment to Congress, a 25th Amendment resolution must first pass through committee stages. This procedural hurdle was highlighted by a senior House Republican leadership source in the Fox News interview.

This initiative by Roy follows a recent statement by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who mentioned that the cabinet should consider the 25th Amendment in relation to President Biden. The discussion gains further momentum from comments made by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) on "Fox News Sunday." Donalds expressed his doubts about Biden's capability to complete his term or run for re-election, voicing his support for invoking the 25th Amendment.

"I do agree we have a responsibility to ensure that the occupants of the Oval Office have the mental capabilities to do that job," Donalds stated. He pointed out that this responsibility lies with Vice President Kamala Harris and the cabinet. Donalds accused them of protecting their political agenda at the expense of the American people's best interests. He affirmed his support for a 25th Amendment resolution if it were brought to the floor, stating, "I would vote for it 100 percent."

As the debate unfolds, the focus will be on whether Vice President Harris and the cabinet will act on what some Republicans perceive as their constitutional duty. The outcome of Tuesday's meeting could set the stage for a significant political showdown, testing the mechanisms of the 25th Amendment and its application in modern American politics.