Senate GOP shows little enthusiasm for Mayorkas impeachment push
House Republicans Prepare to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
House Republicans are gearing up to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of failing to enforce immigration laws in the country. However, their efforts may face resistance from Republican senators who are hesitant to support the impeachment push.
The House initiated the proceedings against Mayorkas on Wednesday, holding a hearing to build a case against him for neglecting his duties at the border. Republicans hold Mayorkas responsible for the record number of border crossings.
Senate Republicans share the frustration and have blocked funding for Ukraine until the administration agrees to implement border reforms. Some conservative senators have even joined calls for Mayorkas’s removal.
However, within the Senate GOP conference, there is a belief that the House’s anger is misdirected. While they acknowledge the crisis at the southern border, they place the blame on President Joe Biden, who gives Mayorkas his orders.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) expressed his opinion, stating, “I think the idea of impeaching Cabinet secretaries who can be fired by the president is just sort of a wasted effort altogether. I think impeachments should be reserved for people who don’t have a boss.”
If House Republicans succeed, Mayorkas would become only the second Cabinet official ever to be impeached. The first, who was subsequently acquitted, faced impeachment in 1876.
Given the Democrats’ control of the Senate, Mayorkas’s acquittal seems likely. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) stated that he has not yet seen evidence that meets the constitutional standard for impeachment. However, the main concern among Republicans is that the proceedings are a distraction while the Senate is trying to avoid a government shutdown.
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is currently engaged in delicate negotiations on the border with his Democratic counterparts in the Senate and White House. He emphasized the need to focus on changing policies rather than impeaching Mayorkas.
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) echoed a similar sentiment, stating that there are more important tasks to address on the American people’s behalf.
The Senate’s muted response is not surprising, as it often serves as a “cooling saucer” to temper House emotions. Additionally, the Senate plays a unique role in impeachment proceedings.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) explained, “I can’t make a judgment on that because if he is impeached, I’m a juror. I’m not going to tell the House what to do, but I can sure understand why they’re upset because he took an oath to faithfully execute the law.”
Even some of the Senate’s most conservative members maintain a sense of neutrality, recognizing their role as the actual jury in the impeachment process.
However, not all Republicans are as reserved. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed his readiness to convict Mayorkas, stating, “He should have been gone a long time ago. I’ve got no use for Mayorkas.”
It is challenging to envision many Republicans voting for acquittal once the matter reaches the Senate. Even those withholding judgment have started to outline a rationale for conviction.
The main criticism of the House’s impeachment effort is that it is based on a policy disagreement rather than any criminal act. Democrats argue that the charges against Mayorkas are baseless, given the standard of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Senate Republicans will face significant pressure to convict once the House takes the formal step. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) stated, “Impeachment is fundamentally a political solution and a political tool. If you’re not doing your job, I think at a certain level, it does rise to an impeachable offense. Ultimately, it’s up to the House whether that’s true in this case.”
Republicans find it ironic that Mayorkas is being impeached while simultaneously participating in Senate border talks. However, negotiators clarify that Mayorkas is providing technical assistance rather than negotiating on behalf of the White House.
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) highlighted this point when blocking a “no confidence” resolution against Mayorkas, emphasizing his constructive role in securing the border.
The House is expected to hold a second impeachment hearing next week, paving the way for a vote on impeachment itself later this month.
What impact could the outcome of Mayorkas’ impeachment have on future discussions and reforms regarding immigration and border security
It will come to the Senate, and I will have to sit as a juror. Until then, I can’t say anything.”
The impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas highlight the ongoing concern surrounding immigration policy and border security in the United States. While Republicans in the House are determined to hold him accountable for the perceived failures, their efforts may be hindered by their Senate colleagues who question the efficacy of such actions.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether House Republicans can successfully impeach Mayorkas and whether the Senate will ultimately acquit or convict him. Regardless of the outcome, the discussion surrounding immigration reforms and border security will undoubtedly continue to dominate the political landscape in the coming months.
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