Appearing on CNN’s “New Day” on Wednesday, Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) called on the U.S. House of Representatives to start issuing “subpoenas” and “see where that goes.”
Host Alisyn Camerota mentioned ongoing efforts by House Democrats to drum up impeachment proceedings and asked Jones if the House should begin formal impeachment hearings.
However, the junior senator from Alabama then performed some verbal gymnastics.
“Well, you know the Senate has a different role in the impeachment inquiry,” Jones quibbled. “We sit in judgment, so I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to make that judgment.”
“What I do believe is this: I do think that Congress needs to do their duty, their constitutional duty, of oversight,” he continued.
Despite the unprecedented Mueller investigation into President Donald Trump, his campaign and his administration, along with the constant scrutiny by the media and previous investigations and hearings by both the Senate and the House, Jones then claimed that the president’s administration has had it easy.
“For two years, the administration has enjoyed Republican majorities who absolutely refuse to do any oversight of the administration. Congress – the House and the Senate – have a constitutional obligation for oversight. They need to issue the subpoenas, they need to see where that goes,” Jones said. “And I know it’s frustrating when you [have] an administration who blocks every single path for oversight. But I think that that’s the way to go right now.”
This comes a few months after Jones refused to answer a question on impeachment while at a book tour event in Birmingham.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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