Some House centrists now support Mayorkas impeachment, with a few still undecided
Centrist Republicans Warming Up to Impeaching Homeland Security Secretary
Just a few months ago, centrist Republicans were hesitant about impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, the tide seems to be turning as House leadership plans to bring the matter to a vote in the coming days.
Impeachment Resolution Advances
The House Homeland Security Committee advanced an impeachment resolution Tuesday during a late-night vote. The resolution seeks to charge Mayorkas with willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and a breach of the public trust. The House is set to vote on the impeachment resolution as early as next week, and GOP leadership must be cautious due to their slim majority.
Republicans currently hold a three-seat majority, with three vacant House seats and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) absent for medical treatment. This means that a few defections could jeopardize the vote entirely.
At least two GOP lawmakers, Reps. Ken Buck (R-CO) and Tom McClintock (R-CA), are leaning towards voting “no” on the impeachment. Both had previously voted to defer Mayorkas’s impeachment late last year.
In November 2023, Republicans voted on whether to charge Mayorkas after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) forced a vote on her impeachment resolution. However, the motion failed as eight Republicans sided with Democrats to refer the matter to the Homeland Security Committee, delaying any action.
However, at least one of those eight Republicans has changed their vote to support the impeachment. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) stated that there is enough evidence to charge Mayorkas with high crimes and misdemeanors.
Centrists and Vulnerable Republicans Joining the Impeachment Movement
Several House centrists who were previously hesitant about impeachment have now come around, including Republican incumbents running for reelection in competitive districts.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) announced that he would vote in favor of impeachment, which is a significant win for Republicans as he was previously undecided.
Additionally, a few vulnerable New York Republicans in Biden-won districts are leaning towards impeachment, including Reps. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), and Mike Lawler (R-NY).
Lawler expressed his support for impeachment, stating, “[Mayorkas] created a catastrophe at the border. He has lied to Congress on numerous occasions and failed to enforce and uphold the law and the Constitution. So I will absolutely support his impeachment.”
The stance of the remaining holdouts is unclear, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has not yet spoken to the eight representatives who initially voted “no” ahead of the next vote.
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The decision to move forward with impeachment follows a yearlong investigation led by Republicans into Mayorkas and his handling of the southern border crisis. Democrats have criticized these efforts, accusing their GOP counterparts of using impeachment as a political attack based on policy differences.
The impeachment also comes at a time when lawmakers from both parties are focusing on the surge in immigration at the southern border in preparation for the 2024 election. Primary election exit polls in Iowa and New Hampshire have shown that this issue has become a top concern for voters, even surpassing the economy.
How have Mayorkas’s actions and decisions eroded public trust in the Department of Homeland Security, according to centrist Republicans?
(R-OR) announced yesterday that he will be voting in favor of impeaching Mayorkas. Bentz stated that he has been increasingly concerned about Mayorkas’s handling of the border crisis and believes it is time to hold him accountable for his actions.
Other centrist Republicans, while not publicly stating their position, have reportedly expressed private concerns about Mayorkas’s performance. These lawmakers are carefully weighing their options and considering the potential consequences of their vote.
The growing support for impeaching Mayorkas among centrist Republicans reflects a growing frustration with the Secretary’s actions and leadership. Many Republicans believe that Mayorkas has failed to effectively secure the border and address the ongoing crisis of illegal immigration. They argue that his refusal to fully cooperate with Congress and his questionable decision-making have eroded public trust in the Department of Homeland Security.
In addition to concerns about border security, some centrist Republicans have voiced objections to Mayorkas’s handling of other issues, such as cybersecurity and terrorism prevention. They argue that his policies and actions have undermined national security and have put American lives at risk.
Despite the hesitations and uncertainties, House leadership is moving forward with the impeachment vote. They argue that it is necessary to hold Mayorkas accountable for his actions and to restore confidence in the Department of Homeland Security. However, they also recognize the need to tread carefully due to the slim majority and the potential for defections.
If the impeachment resolution passes in the House, it will then move to the Senate for a trial. The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, as the Senate is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, making it difficult to secure the necessary two-thirds majority for conviction.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, the growing support among centrist Republicans for impeaching Mayorkas is a significant development. It signals a shift in the party’s stance and reflects the increasing dissatisfaction with the Secretary’s performance. Whether this will lead to tangible consequences for Mayorkas or impact future policy remains to be seen, but it is clear that centrist Republicans are no longer willing to simply accept his leadership without question.
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