Rep. Cisneros Statement On Ukraine Allegations

Statement

Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) released the following statement regarding the recent allegations surrounding the President's interactions with Ukraine. Yesterday, Rep. Cisneros joined his national security colleagues Reps. Jason Crow (CO-06), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) in an op-ed calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings. This also follows reports that the President ordered a hold on military aid to Ukraine just days before speaking with the Ukranian president.

"When I first enlisted in the United States Navy over 30 years ago as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school, I swore a solemn oath to serve our country and defend our constitution. Nine months ago, I took that oath again when I was sworn in as a member of Congress. Serving my country and the American people has always been a tremendous privilege and honor for me and a responsibility I do not take lightly.

"I have stated from the beginning of my time in office that it was important to protect the integrity of our 2020 elections. All of our intelligence agencies agree that Russia meddled in the 2016 Presidential elections. Yet the President continues to act in defiance of those reports and jeopardize the integrity of our democratic institutions. It is now alleged that the President may have pressured a foreign government to investigate one of his potential political opponents by withholding Congressionally authorized security assistance dollars meant to be used against our Russian adversaries in order to help create stability in Ukraine and in the region.

"I join my colleagues in support of that oath to defend the constitution by calling on the House of Representatives to investigate these allegations against the President. I have maintained that impeachment is an incredibly serious undertaking, and if we pursue it formally, we must do so with incredible care. While I did not come to this decision lightly, above all else I place patriotism, our national security, and our country first. As my colleagues and I stated in our recent editorial, if these allegations are found to be true, this is an impeachable offense. It is now our duty in the House of Representatives to use every means necessary within our power, including impeachment hearings, to get to the truth.

"My decision is not about choosing a side, it is about doing what is right. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committee, I will continue to speak up for our servicemembers and veterans. I will continue to advocate for the issues that are important to my district, like affordable healthcare, comprehensive immigration reform, common-sense gun legislation, and local infrastructure. However, if the President has offered financial incentives derived from public funds in an effort to enlist a foreign power against his political opponents, that is absolutely an impeachable offense worthy of Congress's oversight and attention. Enlisting a foreign government to act against the President's political opponents is an affront to our national security and a betrayal of the public's trust.

"As public servants, we must put loyalty to our country and fellow Americans above politics, and I hope my Republican colleagues will join us in recognizing this grave threat. We must hold the President accountable because the American people deserve to know the truth."

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