The House Oversight Committee held its first impeachment inquiry hearing. The hearing veered into several procedural tangents as Democrats attempted to submit their own evidence or introduce motions that required lengthy votes. Republicans for their part managed to highlight new documents that shed light both on the Biden family business dealings and on how the Justice Department handled an investigation into them.
Separately, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) continued to defend himself and refused to resign over corruption allegations despite mounting pressure from his fellow Democrats.
Despite the high stakes of the pending shutdown, as well as the serious allegations Menendez is facing, the Senate still found time to argue over its dress code. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had implemented the relaxed rules to benefit Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA). But the move has prompted backlash about slumping standards in the upper chamber. The Senate dress code had previously required men to wear a coat, tie, and long pants on the Senate floor. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) brought forth a bipartisan bill to properly reinstate a dress code, and it passed by unanimous consent on Wednesday.
Finally, the week ended on a somber note as Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), a five-term senator and the oldest member of Congress, died at age 90.
Here are the pictures of the week from Congress:
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) walks through the Hart Office Building on Capitol Hill on Sept. 29, 2023. Menendez is facing federal charges of bribery. Federal prosecutors say they found more than $480,000 in cash at Menendez’s home in New Jersey, with some of it hidden in clothing and in envelopes. At a private luncheon on Thursday, Melendez told his Democratic colleagues that he does not intend to resign.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) takes questions from reporters on Capitol Hill on Sept. 26, 2023. Booker called for fellow Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to resign on Tuesday, joining a growing list of Democrats who have called for the politician to step down in light of recent federal bribery charges.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), accompanied by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), speaks during a press conference on border security on Sept. 27, 2023, in Washington. Republicans expressed concern for the security of the southern border and the need for more border funding.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fields questions from reporters as he walks to his Capitol Hill office on Sept. 28, 2023. While speaking on the floor, McConnell warned lawmakers of the consequences if the government shuts down, citing Border Patrol funding and security vulnerabilities.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) holds a press conference on Sept. 27, 2023, after the committee released new evidence for the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) holds up a sign of a photo depicting a woman in a bathing suit, as well as a plane ticket that Hunter Biden allegedly purchased, during an impeachment inquiry hearing of President Joe Biden on Thursday. During the hearing, Greene said, “It is sad that my Democratic colleagues pretend to care about women’s rights while allowing Hunter Biden to exploit women.” Greene came under fire in July for showing naked images of Hunter Biden during a hearing.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) shouted and held up a paper saying, “Where is Rudy?”, during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability impeachment inquiry hearing of President Joe Biden on Thursday. During the hearing, House Democrats motioned to cast floor votes to subpoena Rudy Giuliani to testify before the committee.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), dressed in a hoodie, leaves the Senate chamber after casting a vote on Sept. 27, 2023. On Wednesday evening, the Senate passed a resolution to reverse an informal guidance from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that allowed senators to wear informal attire while on the Senate floor.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Friday. McCarthy continues negotiations with House Republican hard-liners in order to avoid a federal shutdown.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), seen here in this October 2018 photo, died on Thursday evening at the age of 90. Feinstein was the longest-serving female senator in history. Her death now puts pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) to name a replacement quickly.
