The Senate GOP-led effort to investigate Hunter Biden’s role on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings appears to be on hold as the coronavirus pandemic has seized all of Congress’ attention.
The probe appeared to be taking off just weeks ago, after the Senate Homeland Security Committee, led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), had almost secured enough support to vote in favor of launching a probe into the younger Biden’s work in Ukraine during his father’s tenure as vice president.
Now, with coronavirus at the forefront of Americans’ minds, Johnson says the probe has been put on hold — at least until after the Senate’s extended recess, which ends on April 20.
“There’s not much we can do for the time being, is there?” Johnson said when asked by The Hill about his subpoena plans. “It is what it is.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who is working with Johnson on the potential probe, told the outlet that work is still being done on the matter by Senate and committee aides, but that lawmakers’ focus was elsewhere.
“Our oversight team has continued their work on ongoing matters,” Grassley spokesman Taylor Foy said.
Senate Republicans argue that Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden may have acted inappropriately as vice president when his son Hunter — who had no material experience for the job — was given a high-paying seat on the board of Burisma when the elder Biden was in charge of US policy toward Ukraine.
The Bidens have denied any wrongdoing.