State, federal lawmakers comment on impeachment
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton called for the impeachment of President Trump, claiming he engaged in an abuse of power by pressuring a foreign government to investigate his political opponents.
Casey’s comments were not shared by two central Pennsylvania lawmakers and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville.
“In order to hold President Trump fully accountable, I support a formal impeachment inquiry in the House of Representatives,” Casey said. “My concerns about the President’s conduct have grown over months, particularly as I thoroughly reviewed Special Counsel Mueller’s report. President Trump’s most recent actions with regard to Ukraine have created new urgency to take action. Given this clear abuse of power, I believe I have an obligation to outline the conduct, both during the Russian investigation and the Ukraine matter, that is within the well-established definition of the ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ that the Senate would consider in an impeachment trial.”
Toomey released the following statement regarding the memorandum released on President Trump’s phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine:
“The memorandum released by the White House today reveals no quid pro quo. While the conversation reported in the memorandum relating to alleged Ukrainian corruption and Vice President Biden’s son was inappropriate, it does not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.”
U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Middleburg, stated: “The transcript released today by the White House proves that the Democrats’ baseless impeachment inquiry is based on the Democrats’ standard operating procedure since Nancy Pelosi became Speaker: Ready. Fire. Aim. The transcript clearly shows that nothing worthy of impeachment occurred, but it does prove that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has completely lost control of her conference. The radical socialists in her party have the reins, and as long as they continue to push the House toward a baseless impeachment of our duly elected President, the American people will suffer.”
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry announcement a “stunt” that originated in January 2017 when Trump took office.
“There are some in Congress who simply cannot accept the outcome of the presidential election. You heard collusion, conspiracy and doing away with the electoral college. Now you’re going to hear impeachment, term limits for the Supreme Court, and other socialist ideas with the only goal of winning elections. What we’re not hearing are the best and brightest ideas on how to better the lives of everyday people who are just trying to get a leg up, support their families, and live in safe communities.”