U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia’s 6th Congressional District voted with the Democratic House majority on Thursday to move forward with an impeachment process against President Donald Trump.
The vote, which passed 232-196, is not a vote to impeach, but to set forth procedures for conducting an impeachment inquiry.
(You can read a draft of the resolution here.)
Only two Democrats voted against the resolution, which followed some fierce floor debate. All House Republicans, among them Barry Loudermilk of the 11th District of Georgia, which includes some of Cobb County, voted against the measure.
The vote comes after revelations of the president’s communications with the government of Ukraine. Specifically, Trump is alleged to have told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in a July phone conversation that U.S. military aid to that Eastern European nation was contingent upon conducting an investigation into Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden.
The White House has denied what has been referred to as a “quid pro quo,” and Republican members of Congress last week stormed a closed-door impeachment meeting held by Democrats, delaying a deposition by several hours.
McBath, a first-term Democrat from Marietta, is a member of the House Judiciary Committee. She voted September in favor of an impeachment inquiry based on information presented in special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in U.S. elections.
That report could not conclude that Trump or his campaign colluded with the Russian government.
Since then, Trump supporters have protested in front of McBath’s district headquarters in Sandy Springs.
Last fall, McBath edged Karen Handel to win the 6th District, which includes most of East Cobb, a flip that helped the Democrats take control of the House.
The 6th District is considered a swing seat for 2020, and it’s where Trump won with only 51 percent of the vote in the 2016 presidential race.
In a statement issued by her press office, McBath said Thursday afternoon that “I voted to formalize the rules for the inquiry process and continue to support the responsibility of this Congress to secure the truth and defend the Constitution.”
Handel, one of several Republicans who’s announced for the 2020 race, said that “today’s resolution continues the illegitimate sham process that has been underway in the House for some 37 days. It’s a process that denies fairness, denies due process, and provides for selective leaks and secret interviews.”
State Sen. Brandon Beach, another GOP candidate, said “Lucy McBath finally showed her true allegiance to Speaker Pelosi & ‘woke’ Democrats who have been working for three years to remove a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED President and undo his economic policies.”
Only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Abraham Lincoln’s successor, in 1868, and Bill Clinton in 1998. Both survived Senate trials that would have removed them from office.
In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee returned three articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, but he resigned before a full House vote.
Should Trump be impeached, he also would be tried in the Senate, which has a Republican majority, including Johnny Isakson and David Perdue of Georgia.
But a trial would likely come after Isakson’s retirement at the end of the year due to health reasons. Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet selected a successor who would serve through a special election next year.
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Congress has been obsessed with getting rid of the POTUS since he was inaugurated. Congress has done nothing else to help the citizens. I personally will vote for your opponent.
Congress has been obsessed with getting rid of the POTUS since he was inaugurated. Congress has done nothing else to help the citizens. I personally will vote for your opponent.
I didn’t vote for you, and I would not vote for you. Shame, McBath! J. Lemoine, Col, USA (Ret)
We will get Majorie Green in, she is a worker, grass root person that will go the extra mile to win.
Look out McBath your time is coming and you will be gone👎
Thank you Lucy for the courage and strength to stand for the Constitution of the United States. Without those willing to do so, even in the face of adversity, We the People will lose this Grande Experiment called America. Stay strong in your convictions to represent those of us who believe in the vision to strive for a ” more perfect Union.”
If you want to continue to live in a country that is not moving – actually running – toward Socialism, then no matter your party affiliation, please vote Republican all the way down the ticket, in the 2020 election because our way of America depends on thy at election.
Good job, Ms McBath! No one is above the law.
Mean while ROME BURNS. Congress wasting our taxpayers money and time fitting over the meaning of Pres Trumps statements. What about normal legislation to operate, protect and enhance our COUNTRY.
WE need to pass laws establishing TERM LIMI TS and AGE LIMITS for Congress. Natural way of Clearing the Swamp and limiting the affects of LOBBYISTS.
What in the world are you thinking???!!
I contacted her office and emailed her to let her know that if she voted for the resolution, I would put my financial support behind the republican challenger. I also asked her why the the House Democrats were not more focus on job creation and infrastructure improvements that would benefit our country rather than trying to upend the 2016 presidential election results.