House Republicans will be taking a bold step by voting on a resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Their primary concerns are related to his alleged failure to enforce immigration laws and secure the southern border. If the resolution passes, Mayorkas will become only the second Cabinet secretary to be impeached in U.S. history, marking the first such instance in nearly 150 years. However, given that Democrats control the Senate and 67 votes would be needed for conviction, the chances of removal are highly unlikely.
Confidence in the Votes
House GOP leaders appear confident about the outcome of the impeachment vote. Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., expressed his belief that they will secure the support of 218 Republicans, which is the goal. The main issue, according to Emmer, is that Mayorkas has willfully neglected his duty to secure the southern border.
A Tight Margin
Given the razor-thin majority of House Republicans, their margin for this vote is expected to be extremely tight. With a 219-212 majority, they can afford to lose only two votes, assuming everyone is present and voting, and all Democrats vote against impeachment. One GOP lawmaker, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, has already stated that he will vote against impeachment. Additionally, Rep. Tom McClintock of California, who has previously argued against impeaching Mayorkas, remains a key figure to watch.
The Impeachable Offense Debate
Rep. Buck, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, believes that Mayorkas is incompetent and has failed at his job. However, he argues that impeachment should be reserved for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Buck asserts that maladministration or incompetence does not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.
A Presidential Election Year Showdown
This impeachment vote coincides with a presidential election year and a standoff between the House and the Senate over how to address the record number of illegal border crossings. The top four House GOP leaders have issued a joint statement opposing the bipartisan Senate deal, asserting that it does not go far enough to combat illegal immigration. They believe that any consideration of the Senate bill in its current form is a waste of time and that it is “dead on arrival” in the House.
Impeachment as a Political Stunt
Democrats and DHS officials have dismissed the GOP’s impeachment efforts as an election-year political stunt. They argue that Republicans are more interested in campaigning on the border crisis than genuinely addressing the issue. The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo countering the impeachment effort, stating that it distracts from vital national security priorities.
Critics of Impeachment
Impeachment critics, including legal scholar Jonathan Turley and former defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, have questioned the evidence of corruption or impeachable offenses committed by Mayorkas. They argue that Republicans are impeaching based on partisan considerations. The Wall Street Journal editorial board has also expressed opposition to impeaching Mayorkas.
Impeachment Resolution
The House Homeland Security Committee passed the impeachment resolution strictly along party lines. The resolution, authored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., outlines two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. The first accuses him of willfully and systematically refusing to comply with federal immigration laws, resulting in millions of illegal entries and unlawful stays in the United States. The second article alleges that Mayorkas breached the public trust by making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional oversight of DHS.
In conclusion, House Republicans are moving forward with a historic impeachment vote against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. While the outcome in the Senate is uncertain, this action highlights their concerns about his handling of immigration laws and border security. To read the full article, visit F5mag.com.