Rep. Bennie Thompson: You Can’t Impeach Sec. Mayorkas Because You Don’t Like Biden’s Open Border Policies

Thompson: “The democratic witness, respected impeachment expert and constitutional scholar, professional — Professor Frank Bowman testify and I quote, ‘Policy differences no matter how severe, no matter how heated, are simply not grounds for impeachment,’ unquote. You cannot impeach a cabinet secretary because you don’t like a president’s policies. That’s not put impeachment is for. That’s not what the Constitution says. Unfortunately, Republicans are willing to damage the Constitution they claim to hold dear, because they think it will benefit them politically. Which brings us to today’s hearing. I want to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Dunn, on the tragic loss of your children. I cannot fathom your pain. As a father and a grandfather, my heart truly goes out to you. Indeed, our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones, to drugs and violence, and we are committed to helping prevent future tragedies. Democrats want to strengthen border security. We want to keep fentanyl off our streets. We want to keep communities safe. We want to help those struggling with addiction. But impeachment will not do any of that. The fact is, impeachment is a waste of precious time that could be used to legislate on the urgent issues, if only Republicans were willing to do. The democratic witness today, Professor Deborah Pearlstein is a constitutional law scholar, but in addition to her knowledge of impeachment, she has great expertise on the awesome power vested in Congress, by the Constitution to effect change for the American people. That power is not through impeachment. As Professor Pearlstein stated in her testimony, and I quote, ‘Impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas can have no impact on administration’s exercise of immigration enforcement discretion. A power of the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized is vested by the Constitution and the executive Branch,’ unquote. Instead, Congress power comes from its ability to legislate as Professor Pearlstein goes on to say, quote, ‘No Branch of government has more power under our Constitution to address matters of border security than Congress, unquote. In other words, it’s up to Congress to provide funding to interdict fentanyl, fix our broken immigration system and provide help for those suffering from opioid addiction. That’s our role in this, to use the power provided under the Constitution, to legislate on important issues, to help people who need it most, and not some baseless, senseless impeachment. I look forward to hearing from Professor Pearlstein about Congress’s power to make meaningful progress on these and other issues. Mr. Chairman, I made this plea to you last week. It fell on deaf ears, but I’ll try again. Let’s drop this baseless impeachment and get back to doing the real work of securing the homeland and helping people across this great country. Before I yield back, Mr. Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry I’d like to —“
GREEN: “You — you’re recognized.”
Thompson: “— give you another chance at this one.”
GREEN: “You’re recognized.”
Thompson: “Mr. Chairman, during our hearing last week, you said quote, ‘The committee will follow the rules of the House,’ unquote. With regard to Secretary Mayorkas’ due process what provisions of House Rule 11 grants the secretary representation before this committee?”
GREEN: “Just a question of clarification on the parliamentary proceeding. What rule are you citing?”
Thompson: “Rule 11.”
GREEN: “Rule 11. The secretary is not appearing before the committee today, so his counsel is not necessary.”
Thompson: “Mr. Chairman, we all know that Secretary Mayorkas has been willing to appear before this committee. He’s not running from anything. He’s been to Capitol Hill 27 times since he was sworn in. My question is about due process. And there’s nothing in the standing House rules that protects the secretary’s rights. So Mr. Chairman, pursuant to Clause 2j1 of Rule 11, I’m furnishing you with a demand for a minority day hearing on this subject signed by all the Democratic members of this committee.”