OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Calling for Caution on Impeachment

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 14, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Executive Branch Legislative Branch

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the unfortunate position this institution has been placed in over the past several weeks. Long before Speaker Pelosi launched this impeachment inquiry, many of my colleagues had already made it clear that their number one priority was impeaching the President.

Congress should rightfully use its oversight powers to ensure laws are executed faithfully, but this exercise has shown itself to be the ultimate manipulation of the legislative branch's oversight to achieve political gains.

I caution my colleagues from placing political expediency ahead of moderation. A vote for impeachment will forever change this institution. Imagine a future where this body utilizes the most severe of its constitutional tools to continually put the minority party on trial.

Mr. Speaker, the American people have elected their representatives to be their voice and vote on matters most important to this country. We must collectively focus on these issues, not the political impulses of a few.

For the sake of this institution, and for the good of the Nation, this cannot become the new normal.

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