Central New York’s Congress Members followed party lines on today’s impeachment procedural vote.
Republican John Katko of Syracuse voted against the measure, which approves the ongoing inquiry and makes hearings public. He calls it unjustifiable and says voters can decide on the President’s fitness for office in next year’s election.
“Impeachment must clear a very high bar to be justifiable. The facts of the investigation, its timing, and its methodology do not clear that bar. We are less than a year away from a Presidential election where every American – not just a select few in Congress – will have a chance to render their judgment of the President. Congress should finally, at long last, get to work on the many pressing issues that the American people elected us to handle rather than burning through the remaining time we have to legislate before the next election," said Katko
He added in a statement, that congress should focus on creating jobs, growing the economy, getting healthcare costs in check and providing a strong national defense instead of Nancy Pelosi turning a blind eye on these issues to pursue impeachment.
Democrat Anthony Brindisi of Utica backed the measure because politicized hearings have not resulted in straight facts. He said in a release, people in his district want more information and public testimony and the only way to ensure this happens is by taking the investigation into public arena. People will be able to decide for themselves whether to support impeachment.
“Taking the investigation public will allow both parties to finally call witnesses, the White House to rightfully be involved, and others to publicly respond to testimony heard in the wide open. Fair and open hearings will finally let Americans judge for themselves and –right now—I could not agree more. I want to judge for myself. We all do,” said Brindisi
The House Impeachment proceedings only results in charges against the President; The Senate would then try Mr. Trump on those charges before removal from office.
