Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the Cover-Up of President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.'s Cognitive and Physical Health Decline.

Bill Number

H.Res. 448

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Last Updated

2025-06-16T14:31:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 448) aims to create a temporary investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives to examine allegations of a cover-up regarding President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.'s cognitive and physical health decline, including related issues like concealment of information, media roles, and handling of documents.

Key Provisions

• Establishment and Composition: Creates the "Select Committee to Investigate the Cover-Up of President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.'s Cognitive and Physical Health Decline." The Speaker of the House appoints 13 members, with 5 selected after consulting the minority leader. The Speaker also designates the chair. Vacancies are filled similarly.
• Functions and Jurisdiction:
• Investigate the president's health decline and any concealment from the public.
• Probe the president's cancer diagnosis and potential administration cover-up.
• Examine roles of Vice President Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, and others in alleged cover-ups.
• Assess the influence of "fake news" and legacy media in spreading misleading narratives about the president's health.
• Review the president's use of an autopen (a device for automatically signing documents) for official acts and who controlled it.
• Investigate Special Counsel Robert Hur's tapes, related evidence, and any suppression.
• Examine the president's handling of classified documents.
• Issue a final report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations by December 31, 2025; interim reports and policy/legislative proposals can be submitted earlier.
• The committee has no legislative authority (cannot pass bills) but can hold public hearings, make recommendations, and refer proposals to standing committees within 30 days of adoption.
• Staff and Funding: Staff appointments follow House Administration Committee rules. Existing House or joint committee staff can be detailed to the committee. Federal agencies may provide personnel without reimbursement. Consultants require Speaker approval, per existing law.
• Procedures:
• Access to intelligence community sources and methods related to the investigation, overriding some standard rules.
• Handles classified information like the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
• Follows general House committee rules (Rule XI), with modifications: no certain quorum requirements for some actions; chair can issue subpoenas, compel information via interrogatories (written questions), and authorize depositions (pre-hearing witness interviews under oath).
• Allows extended questioning by members or staff and flexible postponement of votes.
• Termination: The committee ends 30 days after filing its final report.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not amend statutes but establishes a new select committee under House rules, granting it specific investigative powers (e.g., subpoenas, depositions, intelligence access) that mirror or expand on those of standing committees like Intelligence. It introduces deadlines for reporting and limits the committee to non-legislative functions, differing from permanent committees that handle both investigation and legislation.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Could compel federal agencies (e.g., intelligence community, White House staff) to provide documents, testimony, or personnel, potentially straining executive branch resources and leading to legal challenges over separation of powers.
• Citizens: May increase public transparency on presidential health and document handling, influencing trust in government, but could also heighten political divisions without direct policy changes.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though revelations about the president's health or classified documents could indirectly affect U.S. credibility abroad if findings suggest instability in leadership.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• President Biden and Administration: Directly targeted for investigation into health, document handling, and autopen use.
• Vice President Kamala Harris and Jill Biden: Subject to scrutiny for alleged roles in cover-ups.
• Media Outlets: Investigated for spreading "false or misleading narratives," potentially leading to reputational or legal pressures.
• House Members and Committees: Involves appointments, referrals of recommendations, and procedural adjustments.
• Intelligence and Federal Agencies: Required to share sensitive information and personnel.
• American Public: Indirectly affected through potential revelations and policy recommendations on executive transparency.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Empowers subpoenas and depositions, which could lead to court battles if the executive branch resists compliance (e.g., invoking executive privilege). Adheres to House rules but customizes them for efficiency.
• Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's oversight role under Article I (investigative powers), but risks tension with Article II (executive authority), especially on presidential health and classified matters, potentially testing separation of powers.
• Political: As a partisan-initiated resolution (introduced by Republican members), it may deepen congressional divides, serve as a tool for accountability or political theater, and influence public discourse on leadership fitness without binding outcomes. The 2025 deadline aligns with the end of the congressional session, limiting long-term effects.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House
• 2025-05-29: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the Cover-Up of President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.’s Cognitive and Physical Health Decline. — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (8 pages)