House schedules Mayorkas impeachment vote
Alejandro Mayorkas Faces Impeachment Efforts as House Committee Moves Forward
A key House committee is set to take its impeachment efforts against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the next level. Lawmakers will mark up articles of impeachment against the Biden administration official later this month, in a move that is sure to capture attention.
The Homeland Security Committee will convene on Jan. 30 to debate the charges before voting on whether to advance the articles of impeachment to the full House for a vote. The timing of the floor vote is still uncertain, but there is a strong possibility that lawmakers will push for a vote as early as next month.
Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) emphasized the need for accountability:
“This Committee has conducted extensive oversight and passed historic legislation to secure the border. However, the final remedy for dealing directly with Secretary Mayorkas’ willful and systemic disregard for the rule of law is impeachment. After three years of this crisis and a year of investigations and proceedings, we must move forward with accountability.”
The decision to proceed with impeachment follows a yearlong investigation led by Republicans into Mayorkas and his handling of the southern border. Democrats have criticized these efforts, accusing their GOP counterparts of using impeachment as a political attack based on policy differences.
The announcement to advance an impeachment resolution comes one week after Republicans held their final hearing, featuring testimony from “victims” of the surge in illegal immigration. Mayorkas was expected to testify during that hearing but later declined, citing scheduling conflicts.
His absence sparked tension between Republicans and the Department of Homeland Security, with Green accusing the secretary of refusing to appear before the panel. However, DHS officials pushed back on those accusations, claiming that the committee has failed to find a mutually agreeable date.
Democrats on the committee sought to extend the inquiry, with ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) requesting an additional hearing that includes witnesses chosen by the minority party. Green opposed this request, arguing that House rules only require the majority party to allow minority witnesses, rather than dedicating an entire hearing to their defense.
House conservatives have been pushing for Mayorkas’ removal from his top position in the Department of Homeland Security for months. Some members even introduced their own articles of impeachment last year. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has been particularly vocal in her support for impeachment, going as far as forcing her colleagues to vote on his removal. However, the effort failed due to insufficient Republican support.
The latest development comes at a time when border security is a pressing issue for voters, especially as the 2024 election approaches. Exit polls in Iowa and New Hampshire have shown that immigration is the top concern for GOP primary voters.
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How has Mayorkas responded to accusations of creating a culture of incompetence and politicization within the Department of Homeland Security?
Border and immigration crisis. Lawmakers have accused Mayorkas of failing to uphold the rule of law and of implementing policies that have led to an increase in illegal immigration and a lack of border security.
One of the main issues that has drawn the ire of lawmakers is the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis. Since taking office, President Biden has rolled back many of the strict immigration policies put in place by the Trump administration, leading to a surge in illegal border crossings. Critics argue that Mayorkas has not taken the necessary steps to address the crisis and secure the border, resulting in a humanitarian and national security disaster.
In addition, Mayorkas has faced scrutiny over his management of the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers have accused him of creating a culture of incompetence and politicization within the department. They claim that he has prioritized political considerations over the security and well-being of the American people.
The decision to move forward with impeachment is seen by many as a significant step in holding Mayorkas accountable for his actions. While impeachment is a rare and serious measure, lawmakers believe it is the appropriate response to the gravity of the situation at the southern border.
If the articles of impeachment are passed by the Homeland Security Committee and approved by the full House, Mayorkas will be the first Biden administration official to face impeachment proceedings. The outcome of the impeachment effort remains uncertain, as it will require a two-thirds majority in the Senate to convict and remove Mayorkas from office.
Mayorkas has defended his actions, arguing that the administration inherited a broken immigration system and that they are working to address the underlying issues. He has stressed the need for comprehensive immigration reform and a more humane approach to immigration policy.
The outcome of the impeachment effort against Mayorkas will have far-reaching implications for the Biden administration and its handling of immigration and border security. It will also set a precedent for how future administrations are held accountable for their actions. As the date of the committee markup approaches, all eyes will be on the House of Representatives to see how they proceed with this historic impeachment effort.
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