US House members representing NC speak out about impeachment
Members of the US House of Representatives that serve the citizens of North Carolina took to Twitter and press releases to share their stance on President Donald Trump’s second impeachment. The legislators representing North Carolina are divided along party lines. The resolution to impeach President Trump passed with 232 for impeachment and 197 against with 4 that did not vote. There were 222 Democrats and 10 Republicans for the resolution, and 197 Republicans against it.
“We should be passing a bill today that puts America First. One that sends help to hardworking small business owners and their employees, that will lift people out of poverty, not bury them in partisanship. Instead dems will once again vote for impeachment... sad,” said Congressman Madison Cawthron (R, NC-11).
The Constitution provides the House of Representatives the power to impeach an official, and it makes the Senate the sole court for impeachment trials.
“At a moment that calls for calm and peace, Democrats are again ratcheting up the political volume through an impeachment with just one week left in the president's term. We need to move on & focus on the needs of the American people. I'm voting no,” said Congressman Ted Budd (R, NC-13).
If the Articles of Impeachment are adopted by simple majority vote, the House appoints Members by resolution to manage the ensuing Senate trial on its behalf.
“Congress can condemn, revile or censure speech. But to PUNISH speech the First Amendment clearly protects violates the Constitution and abandons the rule of law. I will vote NO on the Democrats’ article of impeachment,” said Congressman Dan Bishop (R, NC-9)
The U.S. Constitution in Article II Section 4 states the President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
"This rushed impeachment is not serious. Speaker Pelosi says it's urgent because President Trump is so dangerous he has to be removed from office. Yet, she knows full well the vote to remove him cannot and will not happen before the President leaves office in what he has said will be a peaceful transfer of power in a matter of days,” said Congressman Richard Hudson (R, NC-08).
The House has initiated impeachment proceedings over 60 times with only eight federal judges convinced and removed from office by the Senate.
“The impeachment of President Trump today does nothing to unite this country; it only makes that effort more difficult in the coming weeks and months ahead. Today’s impeachment is knee-jerk reaction grounded in anger and disgust, which are genuine emotions that we all feel,” said Congressman David Rouzer (R, NC-7). “But those are not legitimate or appropriate reasons to impeach — particularly when there have been no hearings and we still do not know the full set of facts from that day.”
The division of the country after President Trump assured a peaceful transition of power was a primary concern for some of NC’s legislators.
“President Trump has committed to a peaceful transition of power and is fully capable of serving out the rest of his term. Forcing him out of office by invoking the 25th Amendment will only further divide this nation,” said Congressman Greg Murphy (R, NC-3)
One congresswoman warns that another impeachment would move the needle further away from a peaceful transition of power.
“If my Democrat colleagues are focused on moving the country forward, they should work with Republicans to find appropriate remedies that don’t jeopardize that aim. President-Elect Biden will be sworn in on January 20th, and we must ensure a smooth and orderly transition of power. Another round of impeachment moves the needle further away from that outcome,” said Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R, NC-5).
For an impeachment conviction, the House must approve the articles of Impeachment. Then they would then be sent to the Senate. Three Presidents, Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump have been impeached by the House, but none were convinced by the House.
“Today, the House of Representatives will do our duty to support and defend the Constitution and vote to impeach President Trump,” said Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D, NC-1)
The vote for impeachment came after the resolution to invoke the 25th amendment did not remove President Trump from office.
“I will join a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans of conscience to impeach Donald Trump for his role in inciting last week's seditious attack on the US Capitol,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams (D, NC-12).
The House Votes 223-205 on invoking the 25th Amendment to compel Vice President Mike Pence to remove President Trump from power, but Pence has no plans to invoke the 25th Amendment.
“Last night, I voted for the Resolution calling on Vice President Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Since the Vice President refuses to act, I will vote to impeach the President,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning (D, NC-6).
House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to impeach President Trump for a second time.
“I voted for Rep. Raskin’s resolution calling on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. President Trump is dangerously unhinged - he cannot remain in office for another day. Pence refused to act. The House will impeach,” said Congressman David E. Price (D, NC-4). “We can’t just paper over the fact that Trump incited his supporters to storm the Capitol with a plan to overthrow the election results. We need meaningful accountability and justice -- that means impeachment.”
Price is not the only Representative questioning President Trump’s ability to lead the country.
“This hearing is not how I hoped to begin my first term in Congress. Unfortunately, President Trump has shown that he is no longer capable of carrying out the duties of his office. We ask VP Pence to work with the Cabinet to remove the President,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D, NC-2).
North Carolina’s legislators are vastly divided on how the country should move forward in the wake January 6 breach of the Capitol Building.
