IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 206
(Extensions of Remarks - December 19, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR HIGH
CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
______
speech of
HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of two articles of
impeachment--one regarding abuse of power and one regarding obstruction
of Congress--against President Trump.
I decided to support the President's impeachment after a judicious
consideration of the facts established by the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the House Committee on the
Judiciary, as well as reflecting upon my constitutional
responsibilities as a Member of Congress.
I would note that the constitutional remedy for high crimes and
misdemeanors--such as abuse of power--is impeachment. Regrettably, the
President's severe misconduct with respect to Ukraine showed a complete
disregard for our Constitution, our democratic system of government,
and the security of our nation and our allies. The President left the
House with little choice but to faithfully discharge its duty.
As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense,
I believe that it is unconscionable that an American leader would use
nearly $400 million in military aid appropriated by Congress--and
signed into law by the President himself--as leverage for personal
gain.
There are fundamental reasons why U.S. law provided these desperately
needed funds to Ukraine. I would emphasize that, in 2014, Russia
invaded Ukraine and illegally annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea
while Russian-backed separatist forces seized control of key cities in
eastern Ukraine. The fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to this day
and has killed more than 13,000 Ukrainians while forcibly displacing
more than two million individuals.
Additionally, the impeachment reports issued by the HPSCI and the
House Committee on the Judiciary present an irrefutable case that the
President's behavior constituted an ongoing threat to a free and fair
Presidential election in 2020.
Further, I believe that the President's refusal to comply with the
impeachment inquiry is representative of his broader contempt for
Congress and its constitutional role as a separate and coequal branch
of government. Congress must continue to work diligently to protect and
fully exert its complete range of constitutional prerogatives and
maintain the balance of power that has existed for 231 years.
Finally, I would highlight that the administration's complete
repudiation of constitutionally-prescribed legislative authorities
stands in stark contrast to the courage and patriotism demonstrated by
the whistleblower who filed a formal complaint with the Intelligence
Community's Inspector General, as well as the public servants who
testified before the House. These individuals deserve our utmost
respect and gratitude.
As the Senate moves forward with a trial to determine whether to
convict the President of impeachable offenses, be assured that I will
continue to work hard to address the pressing needs of our nation's
citizens, from creating more opportunities for good-paying jobs to
decreasing the cost of prescription drugs.
____________________
