Ken Buck approves of Mayorkas’s actions under the Holman rule.

The Holman Rule: An Alternative to Impeachment for Biden Administration Officials?

The Holman rule, an obscure provision, grants Congress the power to reduce the salary or effectively terminate a government employee. It has emerged as a potential alternative to impeachment for House GOP members seeking to hold Biden administration officials accountable for alleged mishandling of their agencies.

Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) believes that invoking the Holman rule should require a lower threshold than impeachment. He specifically points to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as an official who meets this standard.

Lowering the Bar: Mayorkas as a Target

“I think that anyone who is clearly failing in their duties and lacks a plan to improve outcomes is a prime candidate for the Holman rule. At this point, the only person I have in mind is Secretary Mayorkas,” Buck told the Washington Examiner.

Buck emphasizes the need to review all evidence before calling for impeachment of Biden administration officials. However, he supports invoking the Holman rule against Mayorkas if it were to be introduced.

A Lower Standard: Buck’s Perspective

“I still want to see the evidence, but for me, the Holman rule sets a much lower standard. I have heard Mayorkas in committee, and I’ll hear him again soon in the Judiciary Committee. That’s all the evidence I need to invoke the Holman rule, considering he still claims the border is secure and intends to continue his current policies,” Buck added.

Mayorkas has been identified by several Republican House members as a potential candidate for impeachment due to his handling of the southern border. The House Homeland Security Committee, led by Republicans, has initiated hearings to investigate this matter.

It is important to note that the Holman rule would need to be included in an appropriations bill, which must pass the Democratic-controlled Senate and be signed by President Joe Biden. Therefore, it is unlikely to become law. Nevertheless, Buck believes that utilizing the Holman rule can send a strong message to the public regarding officials like Mayorkas.

Sending a Message: The Power of the Holman Rule

“The bar is lower for the Holman rule, and I believe it would be more popular in the House. While I doubt that either the Holman rule or impeachment will progress in the Senate, at least the Holman rule allows us to convey to the American people that we hear them and find the situation at the border unacceptable,” Buck explained.

When asked about discussions regarding the use of the Holman rule against Biden administration officials, Buck mentioned that there has been external talk about it but clarified that he has not personally discussed it with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

“Certainly, there has been a lot of public talk about the Holman rule, but I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss it with Kevin McCarthy,” Buck said.

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