McCarthy directs committees to launch impeachment inquiry into Biden. Here's what that means

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday announced he's directing Republican-led House committees to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a move that has long been sought by far-right members of the Republican conference. 

"House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden's conduct," McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol. He said that the allegations, "taken together, these allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption." McCarthy added that Mr. Biden "did lie to the American people about his own knowledge of his family's foreign business dealings," and said he himself had witnessed this. 

Under the Constitution, the House has the authority to charge the president, vice president or other federal official with wrongdoing through the impeachment process. Any of these officials may be impeached for charges of "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors."