In a Monday move, the House of Representatives decided to redirect the impeachment resolution brought forth by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This move, with a final vote tally of 209-201, sends the resolution to the House Homeland Security Committee, which is already conducting an investigation into Mayorkas. Notably, more than 20 lawmakers abstained from voting on the resolution.
Greene initiated a privileged resolution last week, aiming to expedite a vote on the impeachment of Mayorkas following a tragic car crash involving two of her constituents, allegedly caused by a human smuggler from Honduras. The congresswoman accused Mayorkas of “high crimes and misdemeanors” in connection with his handling of border security.
However, Democrats, in a strategic shift, transitioned from proposing a motion to table the resolution to one that redirects it to the Homeland Security Committee. This maneuver reportedly garnered support from some Republicans, as eight GOP members crossed party lines to join all voting Democrats in supporting the motion.
These Republicans include Reps. Cliff Bentz (R-OR), John Duarte (R-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Mike Turner (R-OH).
Leading up to the vote, Greene expressed her disappointment with colleagues who preferred adhering to “regular order” despite what she referred to as “overwhelming evidence.” She argued that sending her resolution to the Homeland Security Committee would essentially “kill” the impeachment effort.
“While some of my colleagues have argued that we need to proceed through regular order … Congress has failed to act on the overwhelming evidence,” she stated.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) urges House members to support her motion to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas:
“While some of my colleagues have argued that we need to proceed through regular order … Congress has failed to act on the overwhelming evidence …” pic.twitter.com/oDDJAl0xis
— The Recount (@therecount) November 13, 2023
The Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), has been actively investigating Mayorkas for alleged dereliction of duty for several months. The Department of Homeland Security has referred to the probe as a waste of time.
“While the House Majority has wasted months trying to score points with baseless attacks, Secretary Mayorkas has been doing his job and working to keep Americans safe,” a DHS spokesperson said, speaking to the Daily Wire.
“Instead of continuing their reckless impeachment charades and attacks on law enforcement, Congress should work with us to keep our country safe, build on the progress DHS is making, and deliver desperately needed reforms for our broken immigration system that only legislation can fix,” the spokesperson added.
