A group of Republican senators, led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), have voiced concerns that the Democrat-controlled Senate might swiftly dismiss the impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Mayorkas is under fire for his handling of the border crisis.
In a letter to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lee and twelve other Republican senators emphasized their constitutional duty to hold a trial. They are worried that the Senate Democrats may try to bypass the impeachment process by individually tabling both articles of impeachment. The senators describe this as an action “rarely contemplated and never taken by the U.S. Senate in the history of our Republic.”
The letter also contained a plea for GOP leadership to insist on an impeachment trial for Secretary Mayorkas. A tweet from Senator Lee reinforced this sentiment, stating, “We cannot allow Chuck Schumer to sweep the Biden administration’s border invasion under the rug.”
GOP leadership must push for an impeachment trial for DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
We cannot allow Chuck Schumer to sweep the Biden administration’s border invasion under the rug. pic.twitter.com/qg1EFCdoF3
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) February 20, 2024
Last week, the House of Representatives narrowly passed two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. The first accuses him of systematically and willfully disregarding federal immigration laws, while the second alleges he has violated public trust through false statements and hindering lawful oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The office of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has indicated that the impeachment managers from the House will present the articles of impeachment to the Senate after the state work period. This suggests a trial could commence as early as next week. Following the presentation of the articles, senators are expected to be sworn in as jurors, with Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-WA) presiding over the proceedings.
However, the impeachment articles might not progress far if a motion to table them is successful. According to the Senate glossary, a motion to table is used to set aside a pending question that the Chamber does not want to further consider. If agreed upon, it’s equivalent to defeating the question tabled.
The letter from the GOP senators concluded with a call for McConnell to reject the Democrats’ approach and ensure a proper trial is conducted. They also urged all senators, regardless of party affiliation, to adjudicate this matter upon the Senate’s return.
