Central New York Congress Members John Katko and Anthony Brindisi further explained their votes when the House of Representatives took up articles of impeachment against President Trump. Both followed statements mad earlier, with Republican Katko voting against the two articles and Democrat Brindisi voting in favor of approving the indictments of the President.
Katko said in a release, he was troubled by the entire process.
“Today marks an extraordinarily divisive moment in our nation’s history. I have always taken my commitment to bipartisanship and independence seriously. I have not been shy about breaking with the President on major policy issues. But, our founding fathers designed impeachment to be used only in extreme cases, and set a high bar to ensure this process was not abused, or used in a partisan manner. The President’s behavior was wrong, but the evidence presented does not meet the high bar articulated for impeachment.”
Brindisi repeated that he voted his conscience and emphasized to constituents that it does not mean he won’t work in a bipartisan manner on other issues.
“President Trump is my President too. I’ve always said I would work with him to get things done for American families. Recently, President Trump signed my first bill into law to extend key programs to our nation's Veterans. Soon the President will sign my legislation to require the military to purchase American-made flatware, like the kind produced at Sherrill Manufacturing, and a first of its kind Fentanyl Sanctions Act to crack down on illicit fentanyl coming from China. I’ve worked with this administration to bring about a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada that will help our farmers and protect our workers.”
Katko also used his statement on impeachment to turn focus on other issues facing Congress and the nation.
“For the past several months, impeachment has divided our nation and sidetracked this Congress from accomplishing meaningful work. With this process behind us, we must address the issues that have been neglected: growing our economy and passing a trade deal with Canada and Mexico, bolstering cybersecurity, giving attention to the opioid and mental health crises in our community, and addressing high water levels. It is far past time to get to work.”
Brindisi, who says he did not make up his mind on the impeachment vote until the day before, indicated that he took no joy in approving the measures designed to hold the President accountable of alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
“It is with profound sadness I cast my vote today; however, I voted not as Democrat or Republican but as an American who has been given this responsibility by the community I love. The Constitution, the rule of law, respect for justice and individual dignity have standards and therefore must be subject to accountability.”
The impeachment process goes to the Senate for the trial portion. Both of New York’s Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have said they hope to use the process to get to the truth and render a just verdict.
