'You've got to be kidding me.' What local reps had to say about impeachment vote

House Republicans voted on Wednesday to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

The congressional delegation that represents the Cincinnati region had strong opinions about the investigation of the president.

The vote fell along party lines, with all Republicans voting for the proceedings. All Democrats voted against the inquiry except one from Illinois who didn't vote on the resolution.

Republicans have alleged Biden financially benefited from his family’s foreign business dealings but have yet to produce evidence directly implicating the president.

The president called the impeachment inquiry a "baseless political stunt."

"Instead of doing their job on the urgent work that needs to be done, they are choosing to waste time on this baseless political stunt that even Republicans in Congress admit is not supported by facts," Biden said Wednesday.

Here's what the delegation from the Cincinnati region had to say about it.

U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson

The actions of the president and his son related to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma demand further investigation, tweeted Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Troy who represents western Hamilton County and Butler County,

"Compelling evidence demands further action," Davidson tweeted. "Here’s the evidence: 1. Hunter Biden sat on Burisma’s board. 2. He was unqualified to do so. 3. Burisma pressed him to get D.C. to act on policy issues in Ukraine. 4. Joe Biden did just that."

Hunter Biden faces two felony charges in California federal court of filing a false return and one felony charge of tax evasion. The six misdemeanor counts are for allegedly failing to file returns or pay his taxes when required.

Prosecutors have said Hunter Biden made $2.4 million in income in 2017 and $2.1 in 2018 through Burisma, a Chinese development firm, as well as domestic business interests and legal services.

Republicans have focused on testimony from Devon Archer, a business associate of Hunter Biden. Archer said the president's son put his father on the speakerphone 20 times with his business partners present. Archer, however, said business was never discussed.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup

Two IRS agents testified before Congress they were hindered during their five-year investigation of Hunter Biden. Rep. Brad Wenstrup in a statement on Wednesday, called the IRS agents brave.

Wenstrup, a Republican who represents the suburbs east of Cincinnati in Clermont County, said the evidence the agents presented raised "serious national security concerns" related to the behavior of the president and his son, including "an extensive web of email aliases used by then-Vice President Joe Biden, foreign funding sources, and shell companies that enriched the Biden family."

"These factual findings are very concerning and require further scrutiny as honesty is non-negotiable," Wenstrup said in the statement. "This resolution furthers truth and justice in this country. The rich and politically connected must be held to the same standard as every American."

Rep. Greg Landsman

U.S. Rep Greg Landsman, a Democrat from Mount Washington who represents Cincinnati, voted against the impeachment inquiry and voted for a bill to allow whole milk in schools. He found both pieces of legislation ridiculous. In a statement, Landsman called on Congress to work on a budget, aid Israel and Ukraine, border security and other more important issues.

"You've got to be kidding me," Landsman said in a statement. "Of course, let the kids drink milk. No problem. Easy yes. But this bizarre and confusing impeachment inquiry? What are they doing? No one back home is asking for impeachment. No one back home has told me they want us to spend our time and their money on impeachment."

Rep. Thomas Massie

Massie voted with the other members of the party to authorize the inquiry. He has not yet made any public statements on his vote.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What Cincinnati reps had to say about Biden impeachment inquirery