Democrats urge Republicans to use their better judgment and halt the impeachment of Mayorkas
House Democrats Call on Centrist Republicans to Scuttle Impeachment Process Against Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security
House Democrats are urging centrist Republicans to put an end to the impeachment process against Alejandro Mayorkas, President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security. In a late Tuesday call, House Homeland Security Committee Democrats outlined their plan to appeal to Republicans’ better judgment as action begins on Capitol Hill to remove Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border.
Appealing to Republicans’ Sense of Duty
Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI) expressed hope that there are still congressional Republicans who take their oath to the Constitution seriously and are committed to upholding it. He believes that if enough Republicans prioritize the Constitution, the impeachment process will fail. Representative Glenn Ivey (D-MD) emphasized that Republican votes on how to handle Mayorkas could have long-term implications in the upcoming November elections.
Contentious Hearing on Capitol Hill
A three-hour hearing is scheduled to take place on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers will question a panel of witnesses, including three state attorneys general who will speak about the impact of illegal immigration on states. Republicans are expected to aggressively build a case against Mayorkas, accusing him of neglecting his duty to protect the American people.
Impeachment Articles and GOP Support
A Republican committee aide confirmed that impeachment articles will be taken up in the coming weeks. However, Mayorkas’s impeachment is contingent on near-unanimous GOP support. With a slim majority, House Republicans will need to rally together to secure the necessary votes. The outcome may be influenced by the departure of Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-LA) absence due to cancer treatment.
Policy Dispute or High Crime?
Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) argued that there is no legal basis for Congress to take a vote on Mayorkas’s impeachment. He believes that the Republicans are using their power to convert a policy dispute into a high crime and misdemeanor, despite the absence of any clear crime. Goldman asserts that dereliction of duty is not a crime but a military concept.
Background and Border Crisis
Mayorkas was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security in January 2021, and since then, President Biden has issued numerous executive actions on immigration matters, reversing Trump administration policies. The number of immigrants encountered after crossing the border illegally has surged under Biden’s administration, setting monthly records. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) supported investigating Mayorkas before pursuing impeachment, acknowledging the Senate’s Democratic majority would likely prevent a successful impeachment.
Republicans’ Accountability Push
As the border crisis worsened and McCarthy was replaced as speaker, Republicans became more determined to hold the Biden administration accountable. New House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has initiated a formal vote on a Biden impeachment inquiry and authorized impeachment hearings for Mayorkas. Republicans released a list of instances where they believe the Biden administration undermined border security. However, not all conservatives agree on pursuing Mayorkas through additional hearings, and Democrats oppose the move due to the number of hearings already conducted.
Potential Consequences and Political Capital
Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, expressed concern that the impeachment effort could backfire on Republicans. He believes it may divert attention from Senate funding negotiations and a possible government shutdown. Democrats argue that the investigative hearings have replaced bipartisan negotiations on a long-term border and immigration policy, with Republicans excluding them from the process.
Democrats’ Criticism and Support for Mayorkas
Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the top Democrat on the committee, dismissed the impeachment efforts as baseless and a political stunt. He commended Mayorkas for faithfully carrying out his job and negotiating with Senate Republicans and Democrats to address border issues. Thompson criticized House Republicans for their lack of involvement in border-related matters.
What specific failures and negligence have Republicans criticized Mayorkas for in regards to the border crisis?
That have been met with criticism from Republicans. The current border crisis has intensified the scrutiny on Mayorkas, as lawmakers from both parties express concern over the increasing number of migrants attempting to cross the southern border illegally.
Republicans argue that Mayorkas has failed to address and control the border crisis effectively, leading to a rise in illegal immigration and poses threats to national security. They believe that his mishandling of the situation warrants impeachment, as it is a dereliction of his duty to protect the American people.
Democrats, on the other hand, contend that the Republican push for impeachment is politically motivated and lacks any legal grounds. They view it as an attempt to undermine the Biden administration’s immigration policy and distract from more pressing issues. Democrats argue that Mayorkas is dealing with a complex and multifaceted problem inherited from the previous administration, and impeachment would be an excessive and unwarranted response.
The Call for Bipartisanship
In their appeal to centrist Republicans, House Democrats are urging their colleagues across the aisle to prioritize their oath to the Constitution and the well-being of the American people. They argue that the impeachment process against Mayorkas is not in the best interest of the country and would only further deepen the partisan divides.
Representative Magaziner emphasized the importance of working together and finding bipartisan solutions to address the border crisis and other pressing issues. He called on Republicans to set aside political motivations and engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation.
The upcoming hearing on Capitol Hill will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the impeachment process. Republicans will seek to present a compelling case against Mayorkas, highlighting his alleged failures and negligence. Democrats, meanwhile, will defend Mayorkas and emphasize the complexities and challenges he is facing in managing the border crisis. The witnesses, including the state attorneys general, will provide their perspectives on the impact of illegal immigration on states, adding further weight to the arguments presented.
The Stakes for November Elections
Representative Ivey warned that Republican votes on Mayorkas’s impeachment could have significant ramifications in the upcoming November elections. The American public will be closely observing how lawmakers from both parties act and vote on this contentious issue. The outcome will likely influence voters’ perception of their representatives and their party’s commitment to tackling key challenges, such as immigration and national security.
Regardless of the final outcome, the impeachment process against Mayorkas will undoubtedly intensify the already heightened political polarization in Washington. It will test the ability of centrist Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and work towards effective governance. The handling of the border crisis and the broader immigration policy will continue to be contentious issues that will shape the political landscape leading up to the November elections.
As the impeachment process progresses, the nation will be closely watching the actions and decisions of both centrist Republicans and House Democrats. The outcome will not only determine Mayorkas’s fate but also reflect the state of bipartisanship and the willingness of lawmakers to prioritize the needs and interests of the American people over political agendas.
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