The House has overwhelmingly voted to kill a resolution from a Democratic lawmaker to impeach President Donald Trump. The vote Wednesday was 364-58, including "nay" votes from Democratic Reps. Brian Higgins of Buffalo and Louise Slaughter of Rochester, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee.
Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas said Trump has associated his presidency with causes rooted in bigotry and racism. He argued that Trump has committed a high misdeed and is unfit to be president and warrants impeachment, trial and removal from office.
Lawmakers did not debate the merits of his resolution. The vast majority of Democrats joined with Republicans in voting to table it. Democratic leaders announced beforehand they were opposed to Green’s resolution.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer told Democrats, “Now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment.” The two issued a joint statement, mentioning a vast set of urgent overdue priorities and that Democrats are focused on “protecting American families” in the coming tax debate and vote.
They say legitimate questions have been raised about Trump’s fitness to lead the nation, but say congressional investigations and a special counsel investigation should be allowed to continue.
Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan said Democratic lawmakers cannot let themselves be drawn into a process “that’s not thoughtful or complete or might not even be the conclusion we ought to draw.”
