Senate Votes on the Impeachment of DHS Secretary Mayorkas
In a significant development, the Senate recently voted on the first article of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas. The outcome of the vote was a rejection of Article 1 on the grounds of it being deemed unconstitutional due to the absence of a high crime or misdemeanor.
The Details of the Vote
The Senate decision on Article 1 of Mayorkas’ impeachment was brought to light through a tweet by Aaron Blake. The Senate rejected the article, with a voting tally of 51-46. Noteworthy is the fact that Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opted to vote “present” on the matter.
A Historic Vote
This Senate vote holds historical significance, as never before has the Senate dismissed an article of impeachment as unconstitutional. The rejection of Article 1 showcases a firm stand by the Senate majority against articles lacking the requisite criteria of a high crime or misdemeanor.
Challenges Faced by Senate Republicans
Senate Republicans faced challenges as they attempted to steer the impeachment debate into a closed session and sought to delay the impeachment trial by a two-week period. The argument put forth by Senate Republicans centered around Mayorkas allegedly committing perjury before Congress. However, no concrete evidence substantiates these claims, leaving the accusations baseless.
House Republicans’ Misstep
The crux of the issue lies in the articles of impeachment presented by House Republicans to the Senate. These articles lacked the essential element of a high crime or misdemeanor, leading the Senate majority to dismiss them as invalid. This move signifies a stringent stance against the misuse of the impeachment process.
Setting Precedents
Notably, House Republicans’ actions have inadvertently set a precedent by submitting impeachment articles that fall short of meeting the constitutional standards. The Senate’s rejection serves as a significant blow to House Republicans’ attempts to misuse the impeachment process for political gains.
Image/Photo credit: source url