House Republicans on Tuesday failed in a months-long effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border crisis, with three Republicans split in line to vote against the bill. , suffered a crushing defeat.
The vote was 214-216. Lawmakers voted in favor of a resolution that combines two articles of impeachment, one accusing Mayorkas of “refusing to abide by federal immigration law” and the other of violating “the public trust.”
The House voted mostly along party lines, with Democrats remaining united against the bill, but three Republicans voted against it and another brought the resolution back to the floor at the last minute. I switched votes to make it possible.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Why Representatives Are Chosen Blake Moore flips from support to denial on Mayorkas’ impeachment
Reps. Tom McClintock, Mike Gallagher, Ken Buck (Getty Images)
Voting no were Representatives Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Ken Buck (R-Colorado), and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.). Lawmakers said that while they were dissatisfied with Mayorkas’ work on the southern border, the criteria for impeachment had not been met, and warned that impeachment could be used against a future Republican administration. .
“Secretary Mayorkas is guilty of mismanagement of our nation’s immigration laws on a cosmic scale,” McClintock said on the House floor. “But that is not grounds for impeachment, because the Founders of the United States specifically rejected impeachment. I know that,” he said. “They didn’t want a political dispute to turn into an impeachment, because that would disrupt the separation of powers that gives the president the ability to enforce the law, no matter how bad a job he does.”
Gallagher said Mayorkas “faithfully implemented President Biden’s open borders policy and helped create a dangerous crisis at our southern border.”
“However, impeachment proponents have been unable to discuss how his appalling incompetence meets the criteria for impeachment that Republicans outlined in their defense of former President Trump.” , and warned that borders could not be secured with lower standards. It would set a dangerous new precedent that could be used as a weapon against future Republican administrations. ”
House fails to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, dealing big blow to Republicans
Congressman Mike Gallagher listens during a hearing of the House Select Committee on Countermeasures against China at the U.S. Capitol on February 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Mr. Buck also criticized Mr. Mayorkas, but did not believe that the criteria for impeachment had been met.
“In effect, we are now doing what House Democrats rightly claimed they were doing in 2019 and 2021, which is pushing for partisan impeachment that is not actually written into the Constitution. ” he said. Editorial for leeches.
Meanwhile, Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) technically voted against the resolution, but switched his vote at the last minute to get the resolution back on the floor.
The defeat is a major blow to House Republicans who have been pushing for Mayorkas’ impeachment for more than a year, accusing him of ignoring federal law with an “open border” policy that exacerbates the ongoing crisis at the southern border. Was.
Republicans on key immigration subcommittees condemn Mayorkas’ impeachment
Democrats and the Department of Homeland Security accused Republicans of carrying out a politically motivated impeachment with no constitutional basis.
“This baseless impeachment should never have proceeded. It faces bipartisan opposition and legal experts have vociferously argued that it is unconstitutional,” DHS spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg said. he said after Tuesday’s vote. “If House Republicans are serious about border security, they should abandon this political game and instead support a bipartisan national security agreement in the Senate to ensure DHS has the enforcement resources it needs. is.”
“Secretary Mayorkas remains focused on advancing real solutions across our borders and keeping our country safe.”
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But Republicans indicated they would likely vote for the resolution again once Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) returns from cancer treatment.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) said in a statement, “While we are disappointed with today’s vote, this is not the end of our efforts to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable.” Stated. “We look forward to the return of Scalise Leader.”
Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
