Senate GOP doesn't want witnesses. But what if they have to have them? Growing sense that House Dems have opened door wide for calling Hunter Biden. 'Not only relevant, now critical,' says GOP senator. Also: What about whistleblower? https://t.co/ySpuF497u5

— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 24, 2020

Another GOP senator, Josh Hawley, told Fox News’s Special Report, “If we call witnesses, I think the House has made it very clear, we’re going to have to call Hunter Biden and probably Joe Biden.”

“Hunter Biden is not only relevant, he is now critical,” Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said. “That was a very odd strategic decision from the House managers.”

None of that means Republicans would love to call Hunter Biden or his father. They’d rather there be no witnesses at all. As all the Biden talk was happening, another GOP senator said, “At the end of this, we will move to summary judgment. I don’t think we will have witnesses.” But Thursday’s developments do mean there is increasing Republican consensus on the Biden option.

Link: In witness debate, growing GOP focus on Hunter Biden; some press for whistleblower. https://t.co/T3crduVSWA

— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 24, 2020

1) Because HBiden goes to validity of Trump's Ukraine concerns. Why do you think Ds have said over and over that HBiden allegation is baseless? 2) Because Senate cannot pass judgment on case whose origins are shrouded in mystery. https://t.co/xjCWMmFg6v https://t.co/aOAzgrsIjV

— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 24, 2020