Is Congress on a witch hunt? 5 ways to judge whether oversight hearings are legitimate or politicized

Congressional staffers stand beneath a monitor showing House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., in a hearing, July 19, 2023. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Since Republicans regained the majority in the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections, they have initiated a flurry of investigations. Among their targets: the origin of the COVID-19 virus, the FBI’s law enforcement and surveillance activities and Hunter Biden’s business relationships. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California even spoke recently of a possible presidential impeachment inquiry.

Everyone loves congressional oversight – at least in theory. Both Democrats and Republicans have consistently maintained that holding institutions accountable via rigorous oversight and investigations is among the most important functions of the legislature, the so-called “people’s branch” of government.