Mayorkas impeachment articles move forward in House panel
The House Homeland Security Committee Approves Articles of Impeachment Against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
The House Homeland Security Committee made a significant move in the early morning hours on Wednesday, approving two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This development sets the stage for a floor vote as early as next week.
In a marathon mark-up hearing that lasted past midnight, lawmakers voted along party lines to proceed with impeaching Mayorkas for his handling of the southern border crisis. If a majority of the full chamber votes in favor, Mayorkas will become the first Cabinet official to be impeached since 1876.
A Grave Day for Homeland Security
Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Today is a grave day. We have not approached this day or this process lightly. Secretary Mayorkas’s actions have forced our hand. We cannot allow this border crisis to continue. We cannot allow fentanyl to flood across our border or criminals to waltz in undeterred. We cannot allow a Cabinet secretary with no regard for the separation of powers, the rule of law, to remain in office. That is why today we present this committee with the articles of impeachment against Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.”
The articles, approved in an 18-15 vote just after 1 a.m., accuse Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and a breach of the public trust. Republicans unveiled the charges on Sunday morning, gaining momentum in the 48 hours leading up to the mark-up.
Border Crisis and National Security
The articles state, “Alejandro N. Mayorkas has repeatedly violated laws enacted by Congress regarding immigration and border security. In large part because of his unlawful conduct, millions of aliens have illegally entered the United States on an annual basis with many unlawfully remaining in the United States. His refusal to obey the law is not only an offense against the separation of powers in the Constitution of the United States, it also threatens our national security and has had a dire impact on communities across the country.”
The articles will now move to the House Rules Committee for review before a full House floor vote. To impeach Mayorkas, at least 218 lawmakers must vote in favor in a chamber where Republicans hold a narrow majority of 221 seats to Democrats’ 213.
A Long-Awaited Move
Republicans have been calling for Mayorkas’s impeachment for the past three years, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introducing articles against him twice. However, it was not until the start of an election year that the GOP made a move to strip him of his title. Since President Joe Biden took office and Mayorkas was confirmed in January 2021, over 7.5 million illegal immigrants have been encountered attempting to enter the United States, with 6 million entering illegally between ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. These figures far exceed the numbers encountered during the Trump and Obama administrations combined.
Mayorkas himself admitted in a private meeting with Border Patrol officials that 85% of illegal immigrants caught at the border were released into the U.S.
Democrats Dismiss Impeachment Proceedings
Democrats have criticized the impeachment proceedings, calling them unfounded and accusing Republicans of engaging in political stunts. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) stated, “House Republicans have produced no evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has committed an impeachable offense. This is a political stunt and a hit job ordered by two people: Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene.”
Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the committee, alleged that the impeachment effort was a distraction from the GOP’s failures in governance. He said, “The MAGA-led impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas is a baseless sham, and the few rational Republicans left in the House know that – even if they refuse to admit it.”
Mayorkas Remains Unfazed
In response to the Republican effort, Mayorkas sent a letter to the committee expressing his lack of concern. He stated, “I assure you that your false accusations do not rattle me and do not divert me from the law enforcement and broader public service mission to which I have devoted most of my career and to which I remain devoted.”
What are the accusations against Alejandro Mayorkas that have led to the impeachment effort against him in February 2021?
Of impeachment against him in February 2021. They have accused Mayorkas of systematically failing to secure the southern border and implement effective immigration policies. The recent surge of migrants crossing the border has only intensified these calls for his removal from office.
Democratic Response
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats argue that the impeachment effort is purely partisan and lacks merit. They accuse Republicans of using the situation at the border as a political tool to undermine the Biden administration’s immigration agenda. Democrats argue that Mayorkas has been working diligently to address the challenges at the border and find compassionate solutions for migrants seeking asylum.
They highlight the progress that has been made in reuniting families separated under the previous administration’s zero-tolerance policy and the efforts to provide better care for unaccompanied minors. Democrats maintain that the impeachment is an unnecessary distraction from the real issues at hand and a waste of time and resources that could be better spent on comprehensive immigration reform.
Conclusion
The approval of articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by the House Homeland Security Committee is a significant development that highlights the deep divisions surrounding immigration policies and border security. The move sets the stage for a potential floor vote, which could make Mayorkas the first Cabinet official to be impeached in over a century.
While Republicans argue that Mayorkas’s handling of the border crisis warrants impeachment, Democrats dismiss the effort as politically motivated and lacking substance. The path forward is uncertain, as the articles of impeachment will now undergo further review before a full House vote.
Regardless of the outcome, this impeachment process further underscores the challenges facing the Biden administration in dealing with immigration reform. It serves as a reminder of the complex nature of border security and the need for comprehensive policy solutions that take into account humanitarian concerns, national security, and the rule of law.
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