Washington state reps divided over latest Trump impeachment vote
Oct 31, 2019, 1:30 PM
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MoveOn Political Action)
(Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for MoveOn Political Action)
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to move a package of ground rules for their impeachment inquiry of President Trump Thursday, with the final tally sharply divided along party lines. Thursday’s vote also had Washington state’s own Congressional representatives divided as well.
For Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the hope is to finally bring the inquiry fully into the public eye.
Jayapal: Impeachment ‘only remedy’ for latest Trump scandal
“Today’s vote moves us into the critically important public phase of our impeachment inquiry, ensuring that the American people will hear all the facts,” she said in a written statement.
Thursday’s vote determined the specific rules that will govern the impeachment process moving forward. Despite House Republicans voting entirely against the resolution, Rep. Jayapal emphasized the need for both parties to work together in the days ahead.
“As we move forward, my Republican colleagues must remember their oath of office calls on them to defend the Constitution, not President Trump,” she noted. “It’s our job as the people’s representatives to reaffirm that no one is above the law.”
Washington state’s own Congressional Democrats have been united in their support of impeachment, for a list that includes Jayapal, Reps. Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, and Denny Heck, and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell among others.
Despite initially calling for a formal vote to promote bipartisanship for the impeachment process, Washington Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler ultimately voted against Thursday’s resolution.
“I see the point, when one party is saying the other party doesn’t get to be part of the investigation. You start to wonder if this is going to be a fair investigation,” Herrera Beutler told The Columbian earlier in October.
How Washington representatives voted on Trump impeachment
Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has also been vocally opposed to impeachment proceedings.
“This is yet another example of the hyper-partisan political climate today. Instead of waiting for all the facts, House Democrats are jumping to unfounded conclusions,” she said when Speaker Nancy Pelosi first announced the process.
Shortly after Thursday’s vote took place, President Trump was quick to respond on Twitter.
The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2019
