WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered remarks at a press conference before a closed Committee executive session to review new evidence provided by IRS whistleblowers in the Hunter Biden investigation.
WATCH: Chairman Smith’s Remarks
As prepared for delivery.
“Good morning and thank you all for coming today. I have a short, prepared statement I’d like to make.
“The Ways and Means Committee will be entering a closed-door executive session in a few moments to consider additional evidence provided by the two IRS whistleblowers, Joseph Zeigler and Gary Shapley, who first approached our committee back in April, sat for interviews before our committee in May, and who testified before the Oversight Committee in July.
“At this time, we cannot reveal the nature of the confidential documents we have received. What I can say right now is the information we will consider today is significant. It reinforces the integrity of the whistleblowers and the high regard in which they are held by their colleagues, and it brings to light new evidence that builds upon their prior testimony.
“Since we made their initial testimony public in June, these whistleblowers were removed from the investigation into Hunter Biden, their credibility has been questioned, and defense attorneys for Hunter Biden have gone as far as accusing them of breaking the law. In the months since, additional IRS employees subpoenaed by the Committee have confirmed what these brave whistleblowers told Congress.
“Let’s recap what we already know.
“One, we know President Biden lied when he repeatedly claimed he ‘never discussed’ and had ‘no knowledge’ of Hunter Biden’s influence peddling. We also know the president lied when he said his son never made money in China. In fact, just yesterday, new information released by the Oversight Committee revealed that while Joe Biden was running for President, Hunter Biden received two wires worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from China. Joe Biden’s Delaware home was listed as the beneficiary address for both wires.
“Two, we know that President Biden was a critical player in selling ‘the brand’ to Hunter’s foreign business partners and that he interacted with his son’s business associates both via phone and in person on numerous occasions when he was the Vice President of the United States.
“Three, we know the Biden family made millions of dollars as a result of Hunter Biden’s foreign influence peddling and the selling of the Biden brand. At least $24 million in payments were directed to Biden family members and associates through numerous shell companies.
“And finally, whistleblower testimony shows the Department of Justice threw up roadblocks to any investigative step that could have led to Joe Biden, and that the Biden family were afforded special treatment that no other American would receive were they not the son of the President of the United States.
“As I have said before, we will go where the facts lead us. The evidence we will consider today supports the impeachment inquiry that is being led by the Ways and Means, Judiciary, and Oversight Committees. I will not be taking questions at this time but will share more with you following the Executive Session. Thank you.”