House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated his intention to move forward with a formal vote on the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, stating that it is a "necessary step." Johnson highlighted the obstacles faced by the House in obtaining vital testimony and evidence, including witnesses from the Department of Justice (DOJ), a former White House counsel, and the national archives, all of whom are being withheld by the White House.

Speaking in an interview on Fox News, Johnson expressed frustration with the White House's refusal to cooperate, stating, "We're being stonewalled by the White House, because they're preventing at least two to three DOJ witnesses from coming forward, a former White House counsel, the national archives... the White House has withheld thousands of pages of evidence."

In light of these challenges, Johnson believes that a formal vote on the impeachment inquiry is imperative. "I think it's something we have to do at this juncture," he added.

The speaker's announcement followed predictions from several Republicans on Friday who anticipated that a vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry would take place before the House adjourns for its December recess.

The Biden administration, however, maintains that the impeachment inquiry is illegitimate due to its lack of formalization through a House vote. While it is technically not required, a House vote has been utilized in previous impeachment processes to lend credibility to the investigation.

The ongoing impasse between the House and the White House underscores the contentious nature of the impeachment inquiry, with both sides asserting their positions. As the debate intensifies, the House speaker's decision to initiate a formal vote could set the stage for a significant milestone in the proceedings.

It remains to be seen whether the House will indeed schedule a vote on the impeachment inquiry and how this development will impact the trajectory of the investigation into President Biden.