WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Republicans are moving forward with two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
If their effort is successful, Mayorkas would be the second cabinet official in US history to be impeached. Democrats call it a sham impeachment and a political stunt.
“From the very beginning of this Congress, House Democrats have made clear that we will work with our Republican colleagues on any issue, whenever and wherever possible, to solve problems for the American people,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D- NY).
Jeffries says his caucus is ready to work in a bipartisan manner to address the border, but adds that Republicans are not, because they want to use the border crisis as an issue to run on in November.
“But the extreme MAGA Republicans have been directed by Donald Trump not to work together to address the challenges at the border,” said Leader Jeffries.
Those challenges appear to be reaching a tipping point, both sides agree something has to be done.
“Secretary, Mayorkas’ actions have forced our hand,” said Rep. Mark Green (R- TN), Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
For Republicans, the preferred course of action is impeaching President Biden’s top immigration official over what they call a “failure to enforce federal immigration laws.”
“We cannot allow a cabinet secretary with no regard for the separation of powers, of the rule of law, to remain in office,” said Rep. Green.
Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security discussed and debated the two impeachment articles, brought forth by Republicans over the weekend. The first is for a “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and the second, a “breach of public trust.”
According to House Republicans, these articles follow a nearly year-long investigation by the Committee into the “causes, costs, and consequences of the historic border crisis.”
“The executive branch has just walked away from the responsibility of enforcing the laws. They don’t enforce the law. It’s just that simple,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA). “We have vast sums of people coming into our country. We don’t know who they are, what they’re doing here,” he added.
House Republicans say there have been over seven-million illegal crossings at the southern border since President Biden took office.
“There’s been three years that the other side has had to make a change, and they haven’t,” said Rep. August Pfluger (R- TX).
Some Republicans say they’re confident they’ll have the votes on the House floor to pass the articles and impeach Mayorkas. It should become clear within the next week whether they’ll be able to whip the votes they need within their conference.
Even if the Republican-controlled House votes to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, it’s ultimately up to the Democratic-controlled Senate to convict or acquit.