Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) informed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that the House will send articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10, approximately two months after his impeachment.
In a letter from 12 House Republicans, they emphasized the need for timely action by the Senate, citing the significance of impeaching the first sitting Cabinet official in American history.
The House impeached Mayorkas on February 13 with a narrow vote of 214-213, citing allegations of failing to enforce U.S. immigration law. Originally, the articles were expected to be delivered to the Senate by the end of February, but Republicans delayed the process until after Congress resolved a potential partial government shutdown.
Now, House Republicans, coordinating the delivery to coincide with lawmakers' return from a two-week recess, are urging the Senate to proceed with a trial. This push comes as Democratic leadership considers the possibility of swiftly dismissing the articles once they are received.
Senate procedures dictate that the upper chamber meet the day after articles have been delivered. Senators would then be sworn in as jurors, and an impeachment trial would follow, with representatives serving as the prosecution.
Senate procedures mandate that the upper chamber convene the day after articles have been delivered, with senators sworn in as jurors for an impeachment trial, where House representatives would serve as the prosecution. The Democratic-controlled Senate has considered tabling the articles, a move unprecedented in over 20 impeachment hearings in Senate history.
Alternatively, they could opt to form a trial committee and refer the articles to that panel.
Tabling the measure would require a simple majority of 51 votes, necessitating unanimous support from Democrats if no defections occur.
Source: The Washington Examiner
