From Speaker Nancy Peloi (D):
Dear Colleague on Next Steps in House’s Ongoing Impeachment Inquiry
October 28, 2019 Press Release
H. Res. ___ — Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.
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Dear Democratic Colleague,
For weeks, the President, his Counsel in the White House, and his allies in Congress have made the baseless claim that the House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry “lacks the necessary authorization for a valid impeachment proceeding.” They argue that, because the House has not taken a vote, they may simply pretend the impeachment inquiry does not exist.
Of course, this argument has no merit. The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.” Multiple past impeachments have gone forward without any authorizing resolutions. Just last week, a federal court confirmed that the House is not required to hold a vote and that imposing such a requirement would be “an impermissible intrusion on the House’s constitutional authority.” More than 300 legal scholars have also refuted this argument, concluding that “the Constitution does not mandate the process for impeachment and there is no constitutional requirement that the House of Representatives authorize an impeachment inquiry before one begins.”
The Trump Administration has made up this argument – apparently out of whole cloth – in order to justify its unprecedented cover-up, withhold key documents from multiple federal agencies, prevent critical witnesses from cooperating, and defy duly authorized subpoenas.
This week, we will bring a resolution to the Floor that affirms the ongoing, existing investigation that is currently being conducted by our committees as part of this impeachment inquiry, including all requests for documents, subpoenas for records and testimony, and any other investigative steps previously taken or to be taken as part of this investigation.
This resolution establishes the procedure for hearings that are open to the American people, authorizes the disclosure of deposition transcripts, outlines procedures to transfer evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment, and sets forth due process rights for the President and his Counsel.
We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump Administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives.
Nobody is above the law.
best regards,
Nancy
Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].
No daylight whatsoever.
This evening:
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
After weeks of closed-door investigations, withholding info from all Members of Congress, Schiff mishandling the whistleblower’s complaint, and selective leaks from secret meetings, Pelosi is now interested in “establishing the procedure.”
This is incredibly appalling stuff…
5:04 PM · Oct 28, 2019
Aside from the fact that republican members of the relevant committees can and have been present for the depositions.
There is much hilarity in the responses:
Except for the 48 Republicans with access to the committees, and by default, the information. Try again, liar. #resignvicky
Yep.
That fact that you will not accept the evidence that has been presented is what is appalling. #CountryOverParty
Newsflash: there is nothing Pelosi can do to satisfy the “process” concerns of Republicans.
They will change their demands, over and over and over, shamelessly, because guess what…
(whisper voice) this isn’t really about the “process”…
Ms. Hartzler – you must be thrilled! The GOP is getting what they want. Time to thank Speaker Pelosi.
Yeah, that was probably sarcasm.
Darn them for giving you what you asked for. How dare they!
Pelosi just called your bluff! #icallbullshit
This is a lie. You know that Republican members of the Congressional committees overseeing the impeachment inquiry had access to information revealed in the hearings.
Depositions.
dang it…. we know the names of all the republicans on the committees ; republicans were in the room knothead……what is wrong with you people
She thinks her constituents are stupid.
After weeks of legally confidential investigations, legally restricting access to committee members, the case for impeachment is so strong it is now proceeding in public.
The @GOP is incredibly appalling…
Spot on. Time for the Republicans to find another straw argument. The 20 Republicans that have retired or not seeking reelection understand. They understand that they cannot defend a guilty man.
After weeks of Hartzler lying Vicky still isnt interested in telling the truth. #LiesMatter
Translation: after weeks of initial investigations to see whether the House should proceed with formal impeachment proceedings the Speaker has determined that is the best course of action. So now I have to pretend something else is being done wrong because I can’t defend trump
Here come the televised hearings! What will you say then?
Well?
Ma’am I KNOW that you’re aware of how investigations work. It’s behind closed doors so witnesses cannot coordinate – that’s literally a rule of impeachment & investigation. They’re merely gathering information.
You acting like that’s not true is incredibly appalling…
LIAR! Republicans have 47 members on committees and they would rather march into an inquiry and eat pizza than to do their jobs. Republicans defending a corrupt POTUS.
It is appalling that you know this is not true. You lie to your cult hoping they are too intellectually lazy to think for themselves.
As far as procedure the republicans set the rules she is following the last time they had the house.
Yes the hole thing is a huge waist of time and tax payer dollars I guess that’s why they are the do nothing Democrats I hope that my fellow Americans replace all of them involved when it comes time to vote in each of there districts
[not edited]
We rest our case.
You know that Republicans were in the hearings. Stop lying to yourself, your constituents, and the American people.
What’s appalling is your lack of response to this administration’s crimes and the attempt to sweep them under the rug. Can’t wait to vote you out of office.
Well…THAT’S a lie. Is that all ya got?
This is just gaslighting. Do you think we’re not smart enough to see the truth right in front of us? We know that there are GOP members in the meetings. Don’t insult our intelligence by telling outright lies.
The GOP failed to hold Trump within the law. The timing of the resignation of DNI Dan Coats speaks volumes about all that was happening in this administration. If that does not make you question where you should be standing, then maybe you’re not smart enough to be in Congress.
Jumping on the Trump train which is heading right off a cliff? You go, girl.
Yes, procedures are bad things. We should never have them. They might make @realDonaldTrump look worse than he already does. Let’s encourage chaos and lying.
Could be sarcasm.
They never withheld info from all members of Congress. If you were on those three committees, you had full access to everything including equal time to depose.
Why would you lie about something so well known?
Stop with the propaganda. You are a disgrace to our district.
What is appalling is your continued refusal to investigate possible emolument violations and now @POTUS updates Russia before congressional leaders. How much more evidence do you need before you will stand up and defend our Constitution and our democracy?
We’ve already established the answer to the last question, don’t you think?
Stop spewing nonsense. Uphold your oath. Country before party. Do your job
Not. Gonna. Happen.
You will be remembered for your lies and misdirection. The Republican Party has been decimated not by Trump, but by people like you. Do your Congressional job! Stop defending the sociopath.
#pathetic
The whistleblower’s complaint has been supported by first-hand accounts despite the WH instructing people to not appear and testify. Why aren’t you appalled by the lawlessness of this administration? Why aren’t you appalled by the miscreants surrounding Trump?
You are out of your mind
Do you actually believe this nonsense you just made up or are you hoping your voters can’t tell the difference? So hard to tell with you Trump sycophants.
You’re a disgrace and history will not be kind to you.
Seriously? You’re really going to try to gaslight your constituents with BS? Have you no shame? You KNOW that impeachment rules were set by the Republicans. Pelosi is following YOUR rules. You are appalling! And a liar.
Look, stop it with the knowingly false narrative. You know as well as the next person that members of the Rep and Dem attended the hearings. Just stop it already. Have you no inclination to honesty? Sheesh
Keep spinning. I can’t wait for the GOP and trump lovers to go down with the ship. Enjoy the ride to hell Vicky.
Only the constituents that voted for you believe this shit.
Why is every Republican tweeting the exact same thing? You guys are such hivemind lemmings.
You are appalling. Many of the gop were in those meetings and asking questions. These are the rules established by the gop. Deal with it and quit misleading your constituents. Better yet, stand up against the criminal or step the hell down.
Previously:
Impeachment: Consciousness of Guilt (September 24, 2019)
Impeachment: Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) (September 24, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): gaslighting (September 24, 2019)
Impeachment: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) – “Tell your people to obey the law.” (September 25, 2019)
Impeachment: the smell of fear (September 25, 2019)
Impeachment: It became self aware at 6:24 a.m., September 26, 2019… (September 26, 2019)
Impeachment: NPR/PBS NewsHour Marist Poll – September 25, 2019 (September 26, 2019)
Flop sweat (September 27, 2019)
Impeachment: this morning’s “Executive Time” (September 28, 2019)
Impeachment: unhinged (September 29, 2019)
Hillary Clinton (D) is living rent free inside of Donald Trump’s (r) head (September 29, 2019)
Going 0-2 (September 30, 2019)
Impeachment: almost too stupid to remember to breathe (October 1, 2019)
Hillary Clinton (D) is having fun these days (October 1, 2019)
Impeachment: in a panic (October 2, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): clap louder (October 3, 2019)
Impeachment: why we can’t have nice things (October 4, 2019)
Impeachment: “…and getting caught in Ukraine…” (October 5, 2019)
Sen. Roy Blunt (r): see nothing, hear nothing, know nothing (October 6, 2019)
Impeachment: Putin’s Puppet (October 7, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): well, that was a turkey (October 7, 2019)
Impeachment: Not very bright, is he? (October 9, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Benghazi! (October 9, 2019)
Campaign Finance: “Do you like subpoena coladas and getting caught in Ukraine?” (October 10, 2019)
Gov. Mike Parson (r) and Sen. Roy Blunt (r): owning it (October 10, 2019)
Impeachment: that was then, this is now (October 12, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Did you ask Donald Trump (r) and Mick Mulvaney (r) about that “vital” aid? (October 19, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): having difficulty understanding basic concepts (October 23, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): While you’re at it, a few questions… (October 23, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): voting for rules in 2017, breaking them in 2019 (October 24, 2019)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Shall we take a look at the Memorandum Opinion of Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell? (October 26, 2019)
