Three Republicans Vote Against Impeachment
In a largely partisan vote, the House of Representatives saw three Republicans break ranks and vote against the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Representatives Tom McClintock, Ken Buck, and Mike Gallagher expressed their disapproval of Mayorkas’ handling of the southern border but argued that the threshold for impeachment had not been met. They cautioned against setting a dangerous precedent that could be used against future Republican administrations.
Republicans Cite Incompetence and Open Border Policies
Gallagher criticized Mayorkas for faithfully implementing President Biden’s open border policies and contributing to the crisis at the southern border. However, he contended that proponents of impeachment failed to meet the impeachment threshold set by Republicans during the defense of former President Trump. Buck, while critical of Mayorkas, also believed that the standard for impeachment had not been reached. Both lawmakers stressed the importance of upholding constitutional guidelines for impeachment.
Rep. Blake Moore Flips Vote in Procedural Move
Although Rep. Blake Moore, a Republican from Utah, technically voted against impeachment, he strategically switched his vote at the last minute. This procedural move allows the resolution to be brought back to the floor for reconsideration at a later time.
A Significant Blow for House Republicans
The defeat in their attempt to impeach Mayorkas deals a significant blow to House Republicans who have been advocating for his impeachment for over a year. They have accused him of disregarding federal law and implementing “open border policies” that have worsened the ongoing crisis at the southern border. However, their efforts were met with bipartisan opposition and labeled as politically motivated.
Mayorkas’ Response and Republican Plans
In response to the failed impeachment, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg stated that the impeachment was baseless and lacked constitutional basis. She urged House Republicans to focus on bipartisan solutions for border security. Despite the setback, Republicans indicated that they would likely vote on the resolution again when Representative Steve Scalise, the House Minority Whip, returns from cancer treatment.
“While I’m disappointed in the outcome of today’s vote, this is not the end of our efforts to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable,” stated House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green. He expressed anticipation for Leader Scalise’s return to recommence their pursuit.
Fox News correspondents Elizabeth Elkind and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.