Nebraska, Iowa senators sound off about lack of full impeachment trial for Mayorkas
(WOWT) - Senators for Nebraska and Iowa blasted Democrats following Wednesday’s quickly failed impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The first article of impeachment charged Mayorkas with “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law.” The second article charged him with a “breach of trust” for saying the border was secure.
The two votes essentially ended the impeachment trial before it started, as Democrats delivered on their promise to “expeditiously” dispatch with the issue by arguing the articles filed against Mayorkas were unconstitutional.
The vote to dismiss the first article was 51-48 along party lines, with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voting “present.” The vote on the second article was 51-49, strictly down party lines.
Republicans voiced their objections thereafter, saying Democrats shirked their responsibility to hear all parts of the evidence against the Homeland Security Secretary. Had a full trial ensued, however, it was unlikely Mayorkas would have been convicted. That would have required a two-thirds vote of 67.
After a failed first attempt, the House narrowly voted in February to send the impeachment articles, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., to the Senate. Greene and Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., walked the articles over on Tuesday.
NEBRASKA & IOWA SENATORS’ STATEMENTS
“For years, I’ve said that the situation unfolding at our southern border is a national security and humanitarian crisis.
The open border is letting terrorists and Chinese nationals into this country, and it’s allowing deadly fentanyl to flood our communities.
It’s long past time for this administration to be held accountable, especially Secretary Mayorkas.
I’m disappointed in my Democrat colleagues for abandoning their Constitutional duty, silencing the voices of millions by refusing to hold a trial and denying Senators the right to fully consider the charges against Secretary Mayorkas.”
“For 227 years, the Senate held a trial when the House presented impeachment articles. By refusing to do so now with Secretary Mayorkas, Senate Democrats have shamefully put politics over exercising the impeachment trial authority granted to the Senate in our Constitution.”
“Senate Democrats paid a disservice to the American people and the United States Constitution today. The Senate has the solemn constitutional responsibility to thoroughly consider the evidence when presented with articles of impeachment. Democrats’ decision to dispose of the impeachment articles without a trial further waters down the impeachment process and obstructs this body’s constitutional obligations.
Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats have taken a page out of former Majority Leader Harry Reid’s book by breaking with centuries of Senate precedent for the sake of partisan politics. Today’s actions weaken this institution and fail the American people.”
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The Associated Press and NBC News contributed to this report.
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