Senate GOP Holds Hearing on Former President Biden's Health
Republicans question autopen use while Democrats largely abstain
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on June 18, 2025, titled "Unfit to Serve: How the Biden Cover-Up Endangered America and Undermined the Constitution," focusing on former President Biden's health and use of an autopen for signatures. Republican senators, led by John Cornyn (R-TX) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), questioned whether Biden personally authorized the use of the autopen for official documents including pardons and executive orders. The hearing marks what Republicans described as the beginning of broader investigations into the former president's cognitive health.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) requested White House records to verify if Biden personally approved autopen use on critical decisions. The Oversight Project, a watchdog organization, presented findings that Biden used multiple autopen signatures throughout his presidency, including on days when he also signed other documents by hand. Former Justice Department official Theodore Wold suggested that records from the staff secretary's office could provide information about when documents were presented to Biden and when he gave consent for autopen use.
KEY POINTS
- •GOP questions Biden's autopen use
- •Democrats largely absent from hearing
- •Republicans signal further inquiries
The hearing featured witnesses including former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer and constitutional law scholars. Democratic participation was minimal, with only Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Peter Welch (D-VT) delivering opening remarks before departing. Durbin presented a video montage of statements from President Trump's first term, suggesting they raised similar questions about cognitive ability. Welch criticized the hearing's premise and suggested Congress should focus on its "core Article I duties."
Republicans indicated that further hearings and possible subpoenas may follow as part of their investigation into Biden's autopen use and decision-making capabilities. The hearing occurred simultaneously with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee regarding tensions between Iran and Israel, which received more media attention. House Republicans are reportedly conducting parallel investigations into Biden's pardon record, cognitive function, and decision-making timeline from 2022 and 2023.