The House of Representatives released Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a historic 216-214 vote against impeachment, citing the border crisis that occurred on his watch.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) announced before the vote that they would vote against impeachment. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) also joined in voting with the United Democratic Party.
After the vote, Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) voted against the bill, citing procedural reasons to allow the House to vote on the bill again someday.
Congressman Ken Buck (R-Colo.) speaks at a press conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, January 30, 2019, about reintroducing a resolution ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Gallagher expressed concerns about impeachment at a closed Republican meeting Tuesday morning.
Buck announced last year that this would be his last term and had publicly expressed his desire to serve another term. msnbc or CNNMcClintock said last year. Breitbart News Daily He believes impeachment is unconstitutional and is considered unwavering.
United States – September 20: Representative Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice” held at the Rayburn Building on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Questions will be asked to Attorney General Merrick Garland at the meeting. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, Getty Images)
Despite being arm-twisted by multiple Republican leaders and executives on the House floor, Gallagher also voted Democratic.
UNITED STATES – JUNE 15: Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) is seen outside the U.S. Capitol after casting his last vote of the week on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Moore, who plays a prominent role in the House leadership, voted against impeachment at the last minute, minutes after the last runoff, before the gavel fell.
blake moore, screenshot
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has led calls for Mayorkas’ impeachment for more than a year, claims Mayorkas refused to follow the law and lied to Congress. was a clear ground for impeachment.
“My Democratic colleagues say you can’t be impeached over policy differences,” Greene said on the House floor Tuesday. “I would argue that the violation of the law is more than just a difference in policy.”
Refusing to abide by U.S. law is more than just a “policy difference.”@RepMTG It reveals some of the consequences of Mayorkas’ refusal to abide by these laws and his betrayal of the public’s trust. pic.twitter.com/RwMhDXr0Ar
— Homeland Republican House of Representatives (@HomelandGOP) February 6, 2024
This loss marks the latest defeat for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), but also the ousting of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) and the early defeat of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Retirement inherited a narrow majority, but that majority has shrunk even further. ), and temporarily absent was Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), who is recovering from cancer.
UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 24: House Speaker candidate Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is seen outside a campaign meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Longworthville. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll) Call, Inc (via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Johnson could bring the impeachment resolution to the floor again as early as tomorrow, but he has not yet announced his plans to do so.
Editor’s correction: This article has been updated to note that Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), who supports impeachment, voted against it after the vote was decided for procedural reasons.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
