PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The Home of Representatives has voted 214-213 to question Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for ”willful and systemic refusal to adjust to the regulation” in imposing border coverage and ”breach public belief.” Three Republicans voted with all Democrats towards the impeachment.
Mayorkas is the primary cupboard member to be impeached since William Belknap, Secretary of Battle below President Ulysses S. Grant, in 1876. It’s extremely unlikely that he shall be convicted within the Senate or faraway from workplace.
Mia Ehrenberg, a DHS spokesperson, stated in an announcement that the impeachment was achieved ”and not using a shred of proof or legit Constitutional grounds.”
”Home Republicans shall be remembered by historical past for trampling on the Structure for political acquire moderately than working to resolve the intense challenges at our border,” Ehrenberg stated.
The Home’s profitable impeachment vote comes per week after one other failed vote on the measure. Three Republicans joined with a unanimous Democratic caucus to dam the hassle. This time, due to the return of Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the Home Majority Chief, following a protracted absence to hunt therapy for blood most cancers, they have been in a position to overcome the opposition to go the impeachment measure.
The trouble fulfills a key promise made by Home Republican lawmakers to their base voters and underscores the convention’s willingness to utilizing their investigative and oversight powers to maintain border safety and immigration enforcement centerstage heading into the 2024 election season.
The matter now heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate, the place lawmakers are broadly anticipated to acquit or in any other case sidestep the fees and permit Mayorkas to stay in his function.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer’s workplace stated Home impeachment managers will current the articles of impeachment to the Senate following the state work interval. Senators shall be sworn in as jurors within the trial the following day. Senate President Professional Tempore Patty Murray will preside.
In an announcement, Schumer referred to as the vote ”a brand new low for Home Republicans.”
”This sham impeachment effort is one other embarrassment for Home Republicans,” he stated. ”The one and solely purpose for this impeachment is for Speaker Johnson to additional appease Donald Trump.”
Some Republicans within the higher chamber have expressed considerations that Mayorkas’ actions don’t rise to the ”excessive crimes and misdemeanors” customary set by the Structure for impeachments and the precedent set by the Home Republicans’ effort.
In an announcement condemning the Home vote, President Biden stated: ”Historical past is not going to look kindly on Home Republicans for his or her blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has focused an honorable public servant to be able to play petty political video games.”