Mooney: Committee impeachment vote ‘one of the most shameful moments in our nation’s history’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Following votes by a U.S. House of Representatives committee to advance articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., continued his criticism of the process and House Democrats.

The House Judiciary Committee voted Friday to charge the president with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress; the articles allege Trump solicited Ukraine for help in the upcoming presidential election, directed federal officials and agencies to not comply with the impeachment investigation, and blocked access to documents.

The committee passed both articles of impeachment on party-line 23-17 votes.

Mooney, who has called the impeachment inquiry a “kangaroo court” and “partisan witch hunt,” said he will continue to support Trump.

“This vote is one of the most shameful moments in our nation’s history and sets a terrible precedent,” he said in a press release. “Instead of wasting time and taxpayer dollars on a ridiculous impeachment inquiry, it is time for Democrats in Congress to focus on issues that matter to all Americans.”

U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va.

Mooney criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., claiming she went back on comments made earlier this year. Mooney cited a March 11 interview with The Washington Post in which Pelosi said she did not support impeachment.

“Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country,” Pelosi said at the time. “And he’s just not worth it.”

Trump spoke to Ukraine’s president in July, requesting an investigation into Ukraine’s role in the 2016 presidential election and activities of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry in September.

“Speaker Pelosi went back on her word because every Republican member of Congress (and two Democrats) voted against opening impeachment proceedings and all Republicans opposed advancing the Articles of Impeachment in the Judiciary Committee,” Mooney said.

Mooney in October voted against establishing rules for impeachment, which include making committee work public.

“In fact, the only bipartisan thing was the opposition to this meritless impeachment,” Mooney added.

The congressman also referenced grassroots impeachment efforts launched shortly after Trump took office in January 2017 and comments made by Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib this past January in which she called for impeachment.

West Virginia Reps. David McKinley and Carol Miller have previously stated their opposition to impeaching the president. The full House is expected to vote next week on the articles of impeachment.





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