House Republicans failed to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday as three GOP members voted with Democrats.
Republicans argue that Mayorkas has failed to live up to his oath of office because of the continuing illegal immigration crisis at the southern border.
The vote was 214-216, with Republican Reps. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) joining Democrats in voting no.
Republicans are expected to bring the impeachment to a vote again when Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) returns from his cancer treatment.
Every member of the Alabama Republican congressional delegation voted in favor of the impeachment effort of the DHS head.
“While I’m disappointed this impeachment vote failed, we will not give up and we will likely bring this vote back up,” U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said after the vote. “Our government is a system of checks and balances. In that system, Secretary Mayorkas is entitled to his own policies, but not his own laws.”
While I’m disappointed this impeachment vote failed, we will not give up and we will likely bring this vote back up. Our government is a system of checks and balances. In that system, Secretary Mayorkas is entitled to his own policies, but not his own laws.
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said Mayorkas is still failing to uphold his oath to the Constitution.
“Despite the outcome of today’s vote, the facts remain the same. Alejandro Mayorkas has, on at least five separate occasions, lied under oath to the United States Congress and betrayed the public’s trust by failing to uphold the Constitution as Secretary of Homeland Security,” Palmer said. “Under pressure from President Joe Biden, Secretary Mayorkas’ neglect of the law has perpetuated the flow of deadly fentanyl into our communities which is responsible for almost 70% of all drug overdose deaths, increased violent crime across the country, and has supported the largest human trafficking operation in the world. The Committee on Homeland Security has found clear evidence Secretary Mayorkas has failed to comply with current immigration laws, lied to Congress, and has breached the public’s trust. It is time we hold him and the person in charge, President Biden, accountable for failing to secure our borders.”
Despite the outcome of today’s vote, the facts remain the same. Alejandro Mayorkas has, on at least five separate occasions, lied under oath to the United States Congress and betrayed the public’s trust by failing to uphold the Constitution as Secretary of Homeland Security.
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) February 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said keeping Mayorkas on the job will continue to harm America’s national security.
RELATED: Rep. Strong: Lawless Mayorkas has himself to blame for impeachment
“Yesterday, I spoke on behalf of the thousands of families who have lost loved ones at the hands of illegal immigrants,” Strong said. “Democrats and a handful of my Republican colleagues refused to hold a rogue Cabinet Secretary accountable, a decision that puts more Americans in jeopardy.”
Yesterday, I spoke on behalf of the thousands of families who have lost loved ones at the hands of illegal immigrants. Democrats and a handful of my Republican colleagues refused to hold a rogue Cabinet Secretary accountable, a decision that puts more Americans in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/EDJNbDfbBZ
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) February 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said it’s past time to hold the Biden administration accountable for not securing the border.
“Secretary Mayorkas has willfully refused to comply with immigration laws already on the books designed to protect the American people, and all he has to offer are lies and half-hearted apologies,” More said. “Americans have had enough. Mayorkas invited an invasion at our southern border that has led to nearly 10 million illegal encounters, more than 85,000 migrant children lost by our government, and fentanyl overdose deaths quadrupling in the last three years as drugs pour across our southern border. It’s time for him to be held accountable for his failures.”
I will vote to impeach Secretary Mayorkas every day until the border is closed.
Mayorkas swore an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies.
Welcoming terrorists into our country with no barrier to entry is an obvious failure to uphold that oath.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) February 7, 2024
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said he will vote to impeach Mayorkas any chance he gets.
“Alejandro Mayorkas is derelict in his duty. As Secretary of Homeland Security, he is responsible for the Biden border crisis,” Rogers said. “I will vote to impeach him today, tomorrow, and every day the border stays wide open.”
Alejandro Mayorkas is derelict in his duty. As Secretary of Homeland Security, he is responsible for the Biden border crisis. I will vote to impeach him today, tomorrow, and every day the border stays wide open.
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) February 6, 2024
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) said Mayorkas has done nothing to solve the current crisis at the border.
“Our Southern Border is wide open, and Secretary Mayorkas has done absolutely nothing to bring relief to the crisis the Biden administration has created,” Carl argued. “President Biden inherited the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years, and 3 years into his presidency, we are seeing the highest-ever rate of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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