116TH CONGRESS " ! DOCUMENT 2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 116–95
IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP
THE EVIDENTIARY RECORD PURSUANT TO H. RES. 798
VOLUME XII
H. Res. 755, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for High Crimes and Misdemeanors (116th Congress)
Printed at the direction of Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, pursuant to H. Res. 798, 116th Cong., 2nd Sess. (2020)
JANUARY 23, 2020.—Ordered to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 39–531 WASHINGTON : 2020
23:16 Jan 24, 2020 Jkt 039531 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 5012 Sfmt 5012 E:\HR\OC\HD095P30.XXX HD095P30 COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY JERROLD NADLER, New York, Chairman ZOE LOFGREN, California DOUG COLLINS, Georgia, Ranking Member SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., STEVE COHEN, Tennessee Wisconsin HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR., Georgia STEVE CHABOT, Ohio THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas KAREN BASS, California JIM JORDAN, Ohio CEDRIC L. RICHMOND, Louisiana KEN BUCK, Colorado HAKEEM S. JEFFRIES, New York JOHN RATCLIFFE, Texas DAVID N. CICILLINE, Rhode Island MARTHA ROBY, Alabama ERIC SWALWELL, California MATT GAETZ, Florida TED LIEU, California MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland ANDY BIGGS, Arizona PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington TOM MCCLINTOCK, California VAL BUTLER DEMINGS, Florida DEBBIE LESKO, Arizona J. LUIS CORREA, California GUY RESCHENTHALER, Pennsylvania MARY GAY SCANLON, Pennsylvania, BEN CLINE, Virginia Vice-Chair KELLY ARMSTRONG, North Dakota SYLVIA R. GARCIA, Texas W. GREGORY STEUBE, Florida JOE NEGUSE, Colorado LUCY MCBATH, Georgia GREG STANTON, Arizona MADELEINE DEAN, Pennsylvania DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL, Florida VERONICA ESCOBAR, Texas
PERRY APELBAUM, Majority Staff Director & Chief Counsel BRENDAN BELAIR, Minority Staff Director
(II) MAJORITY STAFF
AMY RUTKIN, Chief of Staff PERRY APELBAUM, Staff Director and Chief Counsel JOHN DOTY, Senior Advisor AARON HILLER, Deputy Chief Counsel and Chief Oversight Counsel BARRY BERKE, Special Counsel NORMAN EISEN, Special Counsel ARYA HARIHARAN, Deputy Chief Oversight Counsel
MADELINE STRASSER, Chief Clerk PRIYANKA MARA, Professional Staff WILLIAM S. EMMONS, Professional Staff ANTHONY L. VALDEZ, Staff Assistant
MINORITY STAFF
BRENDAN BELAIR, Staff Director, Counsel BOBBY PARMITER, Deputy Staff Director, Chief Counsel ASHLEY CALLEN, Chief Oversight Counsel STEPHEN CASTOR, Counsel DANNY JOHNSON, Oversight Counsel JAKE GREENBERG, Oversight Counsel PAUL TAYLOR, Chief Counsel, Constitution Subcommittee DANIEL FLORES, Counsel RYAN BREITENBACH, Counsel JON FERRO, Parliamentarian, Counsel
ERICA BARKER, Deputy Parliamentarian ELLA YATES, Member Services Director ANDREA WOODARD, Professional Staff Member
(III)
Articles of Impeachment Against Donald John Trump
{House Resolution 755, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session}
AUTHENT!CATErl U.S. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. GPO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, December 18, 2019.
RESOLUTION
Resolved, That Donald John Trump, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate: Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE I: ABUSE OF POWER
The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" and that the President "shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors". In his conduct of the office of President of the United States-and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed-Donald J. Trump has abused the powers of the Presidency, in that: Using the powers of his high office, President Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election. He did so through a scheme or course of conduct that included soliciting the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations that would benefit his reelection, harm the election prospects of a political opponent, and influence the 2020 United States Presidential election to his advantage. President Trump also sought to pressure the Government of Ukraine to take these steps by conditioning official United States Government acts of significant value to Ukraine on its public announcement of the investigations. President Trump engaged in this scheme or course of conduct for corrupt purposes in pursuit of personal political benefit. In so doing, President Trump used the powers of the Presidency in a manner that compromised the national security of the United States and undermined the integrity of the United States democratic process. He thus ignored and injured the interests of the Nation. President Trump engaged in this scheme or course of conduct through the following means: (1) President Trump-acting both directly and through his agents within and outside the United States Government-corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into- (A) a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; and (B) a discredited theory promoted by Russia alleging that Ukraine-rather than Russia-interfered in the 2016 United States Presidential election.
(26603) 26604
H. Res. 755 - 2
(2) With the same corrupt motives, President Trump-acting both directly and through his agents within and outside the United States Government-conditioned two official acts on the public announcements that he had requested- (A) the release of$391 million of United States taxpayer funds that Congress had appropriated on a bipartisan basis for the purpose of providing vital military and security assistance to tikraine to oppose Russian aggression and which President Trump had ordered suspended; and (B) a head of state meeting at the White House, which the President of CJkraine sought to demonstrate continued United States support for the Government of Ll ARTICLE II: OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" and that the President "shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors". In his conduct of the office of President of the United States-and in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed-Donald J. Trump has directed the unprecedented, categorical, and indiscriminate defiance of subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives pursuant to its "sole Power of Impeachment". President Trump has abused the powers of the Presidency in a manner offensive to, and subversive of, the Constitution, in that: The House of Representatives has engaged in an impeachment inquiry focused on President Trump's corrupt solicitation of the Government of Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 LJnited States Presidential election. As part of this impeachment inquiry, the Committees undertaking the investigation served subpoenas seeking documents and testimony deemed vital to the inquiry from various Executive Branch agencies and offices, and current and former officials. In response, without lawful cause or excuse, President Trump directed Executive Branch agencies, offices, and officials not to comply with those subpoenas. President Trump thus interposed the powers of the Presidency against the lawful subpoenas of the House of Representatives, and assumed to himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the "sole Power of Impeachment" vested by the Constitution in the House of Representatives. President Trump abused the powers of his high office through the following means: (I) Directing the White House to defy a lawful subpoena by withholding the production of documents sought therein by the Committees. (2) Directing other Executive Branch agencies and offices to defy lawful subpoenas and withhold the production of documents and records from the Committees-in response to which the Department of State, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense refused to produce a single document or record. 26605 H. Res. 755 - 3 (3) Directing current and former Executive Branch officials not to cooperate with the Committees-in response to which nine Administration officials defied subpoenas for testimony, namely John Michael "Mick" Muivaney, Robert B. Blair, John A. Eisenberg, Michael Ellis, Preston Wells Griffith, Russell T. Vought, Michael Duffey, Brian McCormack, and T. Ulrich Brechbubl. These actions were consistent with President Trump's previous efforts to undermine United States Government investigations into foreign interference in United States elections. Through these actions, President Trump sought to arrogate to himself the right to determine the propriety, scope, and nature of an impeachment inquiry into his own conduct, as well as the unilateral prerogative to deny any and all information to the House of Representatives in the exercise of its "sole Power of Impeachment". In the history of the Republic, no President has ever ordered the complete defiance of an impeachment inquiry or sought to obstruct and impede so comprehensively the ability of the House of Representatives to investigate "high Crimes and Misdemeanors". This abuse of office served to cover up the President's own repeated misconduct and to seize and control the power of impeachment-and thus to nullify a vital constitutional safeguard vested solely in the House of Representatives. In all of this, President Trump has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore, President Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States. Speaker ofthe House ofRepresentatives. Attest: Clerk. 26606 ~ H12130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 'rumr,r W.i.lLI Witt.ma.Ji Prine \:iC) 8oott, Dtvi\1 1'onf1'1C/\) □ 1155 Gpt.on \l,,'Mkm,. Worna,~k Quiq-J,,y 8111·tll (.-\L) '\'on~/\ Brn•ll \"an Drow Welwr(TXl Woodall R,lekin 8htltla \!{lfl So the resolution was agreed to. W~i"lltl' Weholtor/FL) Wrlofht Hie~. l;\Y) Rhormi.n Tr;i.han The result of the vote was announced W,1\ba:: Won> December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12131 (,4.) a political oppone11t, former Vi('t' Presi i11tcrpo11:.'c! the powers of the Pretidcncv against revise and extend their remarks and in de11t lo1tll'f)h R. Bidcrt, Jr.; (md the lawfid tt1.bpo1mat of the Hou•e of Repn:11,nt sert extraneous material on H. Res. 755. (B) (0 discredited theoru promoted b-v Rus1ia lltivcs, and aui.mf'c! to hirnulf fu.nctionj cmd The SPEAKER pro tempore. IR there alleging thut Ukraine--rathf'r than R1u1tia••· jttdgmf'nL, necessary to the e,t·t•rcfae of the "•olc ob,ieetion to the request of the gen inicrfNed in the 2016 United States Pre1tiCe,n.lwJ Power of lmpcachmt•nc· rested b11 the Cmutitu tleman from New York? docliot1. tion in the Home of Rl'prc,en.fotii:n. Pre,iden.l Trump o.bmed the pou:ns of his There was no objection. (2) \.-l'ith the same corrupt motive•. President Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I Trump--ading both dirrctly (Wl! through his high office, thmuvh the following mcuns: agents within at1d out1tidf! the Unikel Slates (I) Directing the Whitl' HutilC to defy a yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman Govl"rmnenl------conditioned two offirial acts on ,ubpocna bf tcithholdin(l the prod(Lctfrm from California (Ms. PELOSI), the dis lhe public announcements that he had rc l.lmcnts ~011.oht theH711 by the Cnmmitte~s. tinguished Speaker of the House. ,zuestcd-- (2) Dirt,ctinv other E:recutivc Branch agencies Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, (A) the refoase of 1391 million of United States am! offfr·r,, to defy lawfttl subpoenas at1d with thank the gentleman for yielding and tu.,rpauer fu11d1t that Congreu had a1mro1Jriatcd hold tlle produotion of documcnis and records for his tremendous leadership in help biparti,cm lm,it for aw pt.upo,e of pro- from the Cmnmittees--in rt~,pon~l' to u;h!ch the ing us honor the Constitution of the 1.:ital m.ilHar:v and tl'C(LrittJ c•ui,iance to Department of Sta.tr, Office of iHunagcment and Budvl't, Dtpa.rlment ofEner{t!J, and D1·pc.rtment United States. to ovpose Russian aggu'jsiot1 a11d I also extend my gratitude to Chair Pra1.idmrt Trump lu.xd ordered suspended; of Defense rtj"uud to produce a single H12132 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 It is a matter of fact that, the Presi dent's stated reason wac- that he want,ed an LE'l"l'ER 'l'O CoNamrns VROM LEGAL SCHOLARS a.ttornf'l-' gonoral who would "protect'· him, dent is an ongoing· threat to our na Dec. 6 tional security a.mt the integ-ri ty of our including from the Btieciil.l Oounl'lol inYM tig December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12133 Sondland testified that the P1·esident made a riso of an un""erupuloui, <1omagogu,~. coequal branches, each a cheek and Whitn Hnueu.'I viP.it for tho Ukrainian prf"fli cipled in private life, dt"Plporate in htl' Ualauee on the other&-"a republic," rhmt conditional on public a.nnouncem,~nt of t,une, bold in hie tiJmper, poi!!Ht':"'"'e H12134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 From the very moment that the major country because they elected Donald what hari:pened in the Judiciary Com ity party in this House won, the inevi Trump. and it is a matter for the vot mittee when a Member of the majority tability that we would be here today erR, not this House, not in this way, actually comria.red him to a battered was only a matter of what date they not in the way this is being• done. It has wife. That is below the dignity of this woulU schedule it, nothing else. trampled everything· thiR House be 1iody, to take a world leader and, when In tact. how it even began to look lieves in. he doesn't make your case for you, to even further was. on September 24, the I said it yesterday, and I believe this belittle him, esriecia.11:v. as is g;oing· to Speaker announced an impeachment to be true today, I will fight thiB on be often sai December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12135 and above our system of checks and other objection::,,, to RtJeciflc subtioenas, □ 1230 bala.noes. hut only Presi H12136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 tuaJ conduct, hut I guess that is not over constitutionally-guaranteed due to happen. process, previously sacrosanct House Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the rules, and the Federal Rules of Civil the President asserted no from Louisiana (Mr. JOHN- Procedure. here. He simply ordered This must fail. This is a shameful ance of the impeachment Mr. day for the country. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker. the gen gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Georgia (Mr. COLLIN'S) for yielding. tleman knows that impe:1ct,m,mt. SCA:NLO-:'.\). Mr. Speaker, the Founders of this put into Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank warned us against a of the Chairman NADLER for his leadership as party lJecause Mr. we navigate this cmwE,ngrng time, not feared it would and perhaps ir- gentlewoman for our committee Congress, reparahly divide JAYAPAL). for our country. The truth :is, in of this Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, this is a It is with profound sadness that I Republic, there has never a single day accountability and defending stand here today in support of these party, fraudulent impe,,cn,m,mt. process us are clear: th:ifl Articles of Impeachment. like the one being· rump, coerced a President Trump's beha\'lor is ex Our Democrat investigate his actly what our Founders feared most. weapon:ized the impe,wb,m,mt · t · · e in They knew that with the awesome of the Constitution nullify the votes of the Presidency came the risk of 63 million Americans \'Vho elected ·11tary a President abusing: that power for President Donald J, Trump. personal gain. This is not about a phone call or daim They were Ukraine or even his use of the execu about about an entan- tive corruption, but if President Trump g'led. \Yith You remember that 95 of the truly cared about corruption, then he rupted our Democrats on this floor today voted to would have listened to the talking Donald Trump before the July points that vvere prepared by the Na in call ever happened between tional Security Council on That is why they included impeach Trump and President anticorruption. He did not. In fact. on ment in the Constitution: to protect Zelensky. thoBe two cam-, with President our Republic. Not only is this a mrcg-Hi-p,arcy im Zelensky, he never mentioned the word Our across the aisle have peachment. it is also ·'corruption.'' claimed we are impeaching the After all their Herculean efforts, He did not abide Uy the Department President because we don't like him, they could only come up with two of Defense's own recommendation that thiB moment is about more than short Articles of Impeachment. Ukraine had passed all the ctis.agreemEmt with the President's On the the Democrats know benchmarks. and cies or ue1,·sona:lit,1. Those issues there is zero evi<.lence in the the unanimous in the record of these proceedings to show sion of all of his that he Our the that President Trump engag·ed in any must President himself. Instead, we must abuse of power. He judge his conduct and whether his ac As will hear today, their entire 2018. in in tion..'> have undermined our Constitu based on hearsay, speuulation, 2019. Vice President Joe tion. co,1Jecr.c,re. and there is not a sin ning for Presiuent. The President has committed the gle witness that can provide testi This is not hearsay. We have a re highest of hig'h crimes under our Con mony to support their baseless allega The President told us stitution. He used the highest office in tions. on national television our government and dollars The Democrats' second claim is that what he wanted from the phone to pressure a to inter- President Trump obstructed Congress "\\'ith President Zelenflky. He came onto fere in our simply doing what virtually every the White House lawn and he said: our na ti anal President in the modern era has I wanted to open an in- When he also done, and that is to assert, Mr. ve::-tigat,ion into the it up, Speaker, a legitimate executive privi He solicited foreign :interferenee be and refusing lege, which protects the separation of fore, he is doing it now, and he will do documents and powers. it again. And you know what? If they dis- The President is the smoking gun. A Our Founders, Mr. Speaker, en agreed Vii th the Democrats could abuses his power is not ''of the people." trusted us with the awesome responsi- A government where the President and should have simply g·one a few blocks to a Federal court to of our pressures a foreig-n to under- its power not from mine our elections is not the peo- an court order bloodlines of monarchs, but from the ple." the documents and :information People. A 12:o·sernrrient where the President they requested. That is what has al- we are no longer a de puts own interests before the coun- been done in the but they mocracy, we are a monarchy or a dicta- try is not" for the people.'' do that here, these This isn't complicated. You know it. Demoerats don't have time for it. to uphold my oath to Con I know it. The American people know They are trying to meet their own stitution and country. I will vote to it. arbitrary, completely reckless, and impeach Donald J. Trump. President Trump's Machiavellian timeline to take down a Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak the threat that President that loathe. er, I also remind my chairman that im The real abuse power here is on ve,ccu.unmc was never meant as a polit the part of the House Democrats as in between elections when native to support have feverishly produue<.l and the next one. Impeachment. this impeachment 20 times I yield 2 minutes to the Our Constitution, our country, and than the impeachment investigation of gentleman from Texas our children depend upon it. Bill Clinton. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak~ They are trying- to reach their pre than authorizing an of war, im er, I as the gentlewoman determined political outcome, and peachment is the gravest item that we said. that would examine the along the way, they have steamrolled as a Congress can consider. 26613 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12137 The decision to move forward with Let's start by making this very sim Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak- impeachment of a United States Presi ple. No one in America could do what 81', it is my pleasure to yield 1"1/2 min dent is so eonsequential that it has Donald Trump did and g-et away with utes to the gentleman from North only been done three times previously it. No American elected official can Carolina (Mr. MCHB:S-RY). in our Nation·s history, all based on le call up a foreign government and ask Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Spe.. ker. in 2016, gitimate evidence of criminal behavior. for an investig·ation of a political oppo 63 million Americans went to the polls Unfortunately, many of my col nent. No Member of Congress can ca.11 and elected Donald Trump President of leagues have diminished what should up a foreign official and ask for help in the United States. House Democrats be a solemn and grave :Droceetling into our reelection campaign. If we did that, have been trying to overturn the elec an absolute political circus flimply be we would likely get indicted. tion ever sinue. In fact, they have tried cause they don't like the man occu No one is above the law, and the Con five additional times to the one that is pying the White House. stitution is the supreme law of the before us to impeach the President. in Many Democrats have been intent on land. cluding the vote in May 2017. just 5 impeaching the President since the day I first swore an oath to the Constitu months into his term. he took office. Their actions are clear tion when I joined the United States In January of this year. House Demo ly motivated by hatred for President Air Force on Active Duty. The oath I crats took control of this Chamber, and Trump. This impeachment vote today took was not to a political party or to they were faced. with a uhoice. They is the next step in their long-held plan a President or to a king; it was to a could use the toolR of the majority to to remove him from office. document that has made America the pursue legitimate vriorities of the The partisan imriea.chment investiga greatest nation on Earth. and that doc American people. policieA that uan im tion run by the House Intelligence ument contains a Rafeg·ua.rd for when pa.ct their lives, or they could use the Committee was unnecessarily held be the President's abuse of power is so ex tools to undo the 2016 eleution. They hind closed doors in a room deRigned to treme that it warrants impeachment. made their choice. share classified information. We are not here because of poliey dis Since then, House Democrats have Nothing· claRsiO.e H12138 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 ravaged by authoritarianism, violence, torRhip where any future President will fense of President Trump's conduct. and corruption. be free to abuse their office in order to which is indefensible. We must act now to protect our elec get reelectetL Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the tions and safeg-uard constitutional de Today, every Member of thiR Cham distinguished gentleman from Florida mocracy for the enormous and unprece ber faces a choice: whether to do what (Mr. DEcTCH). dented challenges that still lie ahea.d of the Constitution demands and the evi Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker. some say us. dence r1:1quires or to turn a blind eye to this impeachment is about eight lines Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak~ the President'8 gTave misconduct, a in a call transcript, hut there is so er, it is my pleasure to yield 1¼ min blind eye to the overwhelming evidence much more. This was about a scheme ute~ to the gentlewoman from West of high crimes and misdemeanors. that lasted months and involved dozens Virg·inia (Mrs. MJLLBH). To my friends on the other side of of Trump administration officials. Mrs. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the aisle. I say this: This is not about Look at the eviden,::e, look at the di opposition to H. Res. 755. making history. This is about holding rect evidence: text messageR, emails, Today is a disappointin.g· day. It is a lawless President accountable in the caJlP., and meetings. the day my colleaiUBH from acrosR the way our Framers intended, This is a Way back in May, the President told aisle cast the vote that they have s:pent his team: ·'Talk: to Rudy" Giuliani. time to put our eountry over your po The President's message? No White the last 3 years obseRsin&' over. the litical party. Do not Heek safety in the House meeting unless Ukraine helped vote to impeach our duly-elected Presi high grass of a vote against these arti him in the 2020 election, dent. cles. We are all Americans. Show the Ambassador Sandland said there was There are two charg,es claimed by American people your devotion to your a '·prerequisite of investigations'' into House Democrats, and there is zero country is more powerful than your the Bidens and announcement of inves cause for either. loyalty to your political varty. tig•a.tions was a '·deliverable," While President Trump has led, our United, we can defend our democracy Ambassador Volker said the most im country has thriveU, and Washington from all enemies, foreign and domestie. portant thing for the Ukrainian Presi liberals have failed. Divided, we riAk losing our Uemocracy. dent to do was commit to an investiga Desvite the commitment of many of All you have to do is look a.t the evi tion of the Bidens. our colleaiues to obstruct the Trump dence because it will leave you with Just before the July 25 call, Volker administration's agenda at every turn, only one answer: The President of the told the Ukrainians: ''Assuming Presi our country continueH to ~ucceed. United States must be impeached, dent Z convinces Trump he will inves In this body. however. we have not Remember these facts: He tried to W{ate ... we will nail down date for been able to Ueliver on what Americans cheat. He g-ot Cflug-ht. He confessed. viSit to Washing·ton." want and need, We still have not fin Then, he olJstroded the investigation The direct evidence kept coming' ished securing our border. The opioid into his misconduct. after the call, more texts. more emails. epidemic still rages in our commu For our democracy. for our Constitu and more calls, all with the same mes nities. Our infrastructure is still in tion. for the peovle you represent, and sag·e: If Ukraine didn't announce an in dire need of an overhaul. We still have for all who will inherit our country vestig·a.tion into the PreHident's polit not reached a bipartisan resolution on from us, I pray you will do the right ical rival. then they wouldn't get the drug pridng. thing. White House meeting- that they had If Congress hadn't spent the last year Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak been promised, and they wouldn't iret stuck in a divisive, uglv, partisan im er, it gives me pleasure to yield 11/2 the a.id that they needed in their war peachment debacle, think of what we minutes to the gentleman from Ala against Russia. could have done, the lives that could bama (Ml'. ROGERS), American Presidential power comes have been saved, the communities that Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speak from the people throuKh elections. The could have been improved, the crisis on er. I rise today in complete and total Constitution requires that we protect our southern border ended. and the support of President Trump. those elections, But when the Presi positive work that we should do for our The matter before the House today is dent abused his power to solicit foreign country. But we didn't. all because of based solely on a fundamental hatred interference. he was cheating' American divisive political theatric~. of our President. It is a sham, a witch voters before they even had a chance to Congress can do better than this, and hunt, and it is tantamount to a coup vote. AmeriCa deserves better. against the duly-elected President of Mr. Speaker, President Truml)'s ac Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 the United States. tions force us to protect our elections minutes to the disting•uished gen This is a sad. day for our Nation when and the Constitution. I urge my col tleman from Rhode Island December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12139 bipartisan because of how divisive it (English translation of the statement citizens to let them decide who should would be. Unfortunately, it is clear the made in Spanish is as follows:) lea.U our great country. majority has had laser focus on one My tmvn sent me to Wa8hington to Thie imveachment proceRs isn't fo thin._g, for 3 years: impeaching: the Presi work with everyone. Democrats and cused on strengthening and protecting dent. Republicans, to improve the lives of our volitical foundations but. rather, The majority has failed to deliver for our communities. shs.ping public opinion. the American people. They failed to Sadly, we are here, today. consid I ask you: Is it worth that? pass a budget on time, failed to pass ering the actions of the President of Not only is the process alarming. but the spending bills on time, and failed the United BtateR. it is wasting- taxpayer dollars and valu to deliver bipartisan solutions that will My vote will be to enRure that we re able time that elected officials could be actually help improve the lives of main a democracy, and not a dictator using to move our country forward. Americans. :c;hip. That indudes: securing· our borderf'>, But the American people see throug·h Many of our sons and daughters have addressing student loan debt, and this sad charade for what it is: an at vaid the price of our freedom with their bringing down the cost of heal th care tempt to undo the 2016 election ba.sed lllood. Our liberty and democracy must and prescription drugs. on hearsay and opinion, not !act. be the inheritance that we leave to our Mr. Speaker. I urge all of my col The transcript of the call showed no sons and <.laughters. leagues, while considering these arti conditions were placed on the aid. A democracy existA when nobody is cles, to ask themselves whether this is President Trump and President above the constitution. and we are all truly being done for the good of the Zelensky have said there ·was no pres subject to the law. conntrv sure, and Ukraine received the aid I aHk God to ~ive us wisdom, and to Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I would without taking any actions. help us unite Our beloved homeland, remind the gentleman that, after re The Constitution i8 clear. The Presi the United BtateR of America. covering• millionR of dollars in ill-e;ot dent may only be impeached for com Mi pueblo me mando a Washirn:rton ten gains, the Mueller investigation mitting treason. bribery, or other high para trabajar con todos, Democratas y was actually a net plus for the tax crimes and misdemeanors. Nowhere in Republicanos, para mejorar las vidas de pl'l.yers. the two Articles of Impeaehment nuestra comunidad. Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the lll'oug·ht today does it argue that the TriRtemente esta.moR presentes. g·entleman from Colorado \Mr. President has committed treason, brib considerando las acciones del president NEGUSF:). ery. or any crime under the law. de los E1:1,tados Unidos. Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to This is not overwhelming. It is not Mi voto, sera para aRegurar que thank Chairman NADLER and Speaker compelling. It 18 not bipartisan. But sigamos siemlo una democracia, y no PELOSI for their leadership and their the Speaker was right in one way. This una dictadura. moral courage. is incredibly divisive and has lowered Muchos de nuestros hijos y hijas, han pa.gadado el precio de nuestra libertad Today. the House of RepreRentatives the ba.r for what future Presidents will is debating whether to take the rare face. con su sang:re. Nuertra liberated y democracia., tienen que ser la. herencia Rte:p of voting to impeach a President Mr. Speaker. I strongly o:tivose the for only the third time in our country·s que les deja,mos a nuertros hi,ios y articles before us today, and I hope hiRtory. Unfortunately, President that we will finally move vat-1t this hijas. Una democracia existe cuando nadie Trump has left UR no choice. nightmare and get to work to deliver The fact of the matter is that the results for the American people. esta sobre la conRtitucion, y todoR Romos eujetos a la ley. President abused the power of his office Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the evi and invited a foreig·n country to inter dence is clear that President Trump Le pido a dios que nos de sabiduria, y qne nos ayude unir nuestra querida fere in our elections. In so doing', he took advantage of Ukraine's vulnera undermined the sanctity of the tree bility and abused the powers of his of patria, los EHtados Uniclos Americanos. Mr. Bveaker, today I pray to God for and fair elections upon which our Re fice to pressure Ukraine to help his re public rests. election campaign. This is the higheRt His guidance in uniting our great Na tion. Ma.king matters worse, over the past of high crimeR, and President Trump several months, President Trump and muRt be held to aceount. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the BliT'TEfH'IELD). The gentleman from his administration have done every distinguished gentleman from Cali California will provide a translation of thing they can to prevent Cong-ress fornia (Mr. CORREA). his remarks to the Clerk. from uncovering the truth. Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak Let us be clear, in the history of our the gentleman for yielding. er. I would have to disagree with my Republic, no President has ever ob Mr. Speaker, as a mem1ier of the chairman. I am not sure what he has structed Congress like this before. Homeland Security Committee, I know been WA.tching, but the facts are not During the Watergate investigation, firsthand the dangerR that foreign in undisputed. They are very much dis as my colleag·ues well know: terference in our eleetiom; present t.o puted, not only by the minority. but by President Nixon·s chief of staff testi- our democracy. As a Member of Con the witnesses who actually testified. fied before CongreRB; President greRs, it is my sworn duty to ensure Mr. Speaker, I yield H~ minutes to Trump's chief of staff refused. that our Nation is secure from all the gentleman from Georg·ia (Mr. CAR President Nixon's counsel testified; threats, foreign and domestic. And TER). President Trump's counsel refused. Cong·resH has a constitutional job to in Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak White House aides dose to President ve8tigate allegations of misconduet by er, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Nixon testified: President Trump re the executive branch, including the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi fused to allow any aide who may have United States President. tion to the Democrat0' sham :tirocese, knowlet1R·e relevant to this investiga which makes a mockery of the rules or tion to testify. D 1300 the House and is. frankly. dangerous to Simply put, his administration has The Constitution is the highest law thiB country. engaged in a wholesale obstruction of of the lanct creatin,go a system of Since day one. the Democrats have Congress, and that is exactly why we checks and ba.lances to prevent the cre made it clear that they wanted to are conRi<.lering not ,inst one but two ation of a king·. Cong·resR is a coequal move toward imvea.chment well before Articles of Impeachment lJefore the branch of our Nation'R government, any of the accusations took place. Honse today. equal with the Presidency, with duties What Democrats. unfortunately, don't Every Member of this body has a re that are given to UR by the Framers. recognize is the damage that this will sponsibility to uphold our Constitu This is a very sad day, and I do not cause for our politiGal institutions and tion, to defend our Republic, and, when take impeachment lig·htly: yet, I am America'R trust for year:=. to come. necesRary, to hold the executive branch here to do my job as a Member of Con Every American should be concerned accountable. We are exerciRin..1;;, that re gress. that Speaker PELOSI doesn't trust our spons1Uility today. 26616 H12140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 Mr. Speaker, therefore, I will vote viewed the President's own words and Donald Trump presRured a foreign "yes" on both articles because it is actions; and published a 300-page report g:overnment to targ·et an American cit what the Constitution requires and detailing their finillng-s. izen for political g•ain and. at the Rame what my conscience demands. All of this, despite the fact that, time. withheld, without justif:tca.tion, Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak• under the President's direction, 12 cur $391 million in military aid to a vulner er, I would never have thong-ht that a rent and former administration offi abl0 Ukraine as part of a scherne to so Department of Justice investigation cials refused to testify. even ignoring licit foreign interference in an Amer was uRed as a money revenue plot, but subpoenas, and 71 document reqnestR ican election. I guess one thing is true: It was a loser were denied. That is una,cceptable. That is uncon for the minority in a net profit situa The Judiciar:•r Committee then re scionable. That is unconstitutional. tion. viewed the evidence and conclm.led that There are some who cynically ariUe Mr. Speaker. I yield 1½ minutes to two Articles of Impeachment. which I that the :impeachment or this President the gentleman from Washington (Mr. support, were warranted. will further divide a.n already fractured NEWHOl'SE). The evidence shows that President Union. but there is a difference be Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the Trump is a clear and present danger to tween division and clarification. people's House should be better than our free and fair elections and our na. Slavery once divided the Nation. but this. We Rhould be better than this. tional security. The most povverful evi emancipators rose up to clarify that all During the Member's remarks in the dence of this pattern has come from men are created equally. Judiciary Committee, the committee's the President himself. Suf!:ra,;:·e once divided the Nation, but impeachment proceedings. he stated: In 2016. we heard him when he called women -rose up to clarify that all '·To my ReriuUlican colleagues: on Russia to interfere in our elections, voices must be heard in our democracy. How do you want to be remembered He said: "Russia. if you're listening. ,Jim Crow once divided. the Nation, during thiR watershed moment in our but civil rights champions roRe up to Nation's history?" He then repeated this call for elec clarify that all are entitled to equal Mr. Speaker, it won't be watching tion interference on the July 25 call protection under the law. sports on a laptop during official Judi with the Ukrainian President, and we There is a difference between division ciary Committee proc00Ui11.g·s to im heard him again, on the White House and clarification. peach a sitting President; lawn, further adding China to that mix. We will hold this President account It won't be using expletiveH to refer I stand rea.dy to protect onr Hacred able for his stunning abuse of power. to our President. calling !or his im Republic, 8upport these Articles of Im We will hold this President account peauhment just hours after being sworn peachment, and pray that my col able for undermining· our national se into Oongresti; leagues have the courage to clo the curity. We will hold this President ac It won't be using the chairmanship of same, We must upholu our oath of of countable for corrupting our democ the once-respected Intelligence Com fice and defend the Constitution and racy. mittee to diRtort the President's words our fragile democracy, because no one We will impeach Donald John Trump, in order to mislead the American peo is above the law. We will clarify that, in America. no Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak: one is above the law. ple: and Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. 8:Peak It certainly won't be using the most er, I yield 1½ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr, RUTHERFORD). er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman serious and solemn powers of Congress from California (Mr. MCCLINTOCK). to overturn a legitimate national elec Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker. I tion for _political expediency. thank the g·entleman for yielding. D 1315 Mr. Speaker, in 2016, Vladimir Putin No, Mr. Speaker, my fellow Repub and his cronies waged a war on our Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, nul lican colleague~ and I won't be remem elections with the g-oal of sowing dis lifying a national election requires an bered in history for doing any of those cord and division in America, overwhelming caRe of high crimes sup things lJecanse we know th1s is far too Do you think he has l1een successful? ported by indisputable evidence that g·rave a matter for subversionR such as Somewhere in Russia right now. Putin the vast majority of the Nation finds thetie or our democratic Republic. is laughing at us today. The majority compelling. We should all be better than thts. is giving him exactly what he wants: a Now. article I is a made-up crime Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, may I in divided America with pure, partisan called abu:--e of office. It does not quire how much time remains on both politics. with nasty political rhetotic charge that the President broke any sides. at an all-time high. And some across law, but that Congress doesn't like the The SPEAKER pro tem_pore. The gen the aisle are di:;,,creUitin~: the resnl ts of way he lawfully discharged his con tleman from New York has 156:Yi min future elections already. stitutional duties. This would reduce utes remaining. The gentleman from It seems to many Americans that. for the Presidency to that of a minister Georgia hat-_; 157 minutes remaining·. the pa.st 3 years. the House majority serving- at the pleasure of Congress. de Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 has been carrying- out the wishes of the stroying the separation of powers at minutes to the distinguiRheU gentle Kremlin. The sad part is the Democrats the heart of our Constitution. woman from Texas (Ms. EscOBAR). have vowed to continue their sham in Article II is another made-up crime Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr, Speaker, our vestig·ations even after today·s vote. called obstruction of Congress. It country faces a great tra.~edy and mo Impeaching' a duly-elected PreRident means the President sought to defend ment of truth. We have witnes3ed the in a _purely partisan manner with no his constitutional rights and those of President of the United States abuse crimes to show for it-not one element his Office. This removes the judiciary his public office for personal political of a crime defined-disgraces the integ from our Con8ti tution and places Con gain and invite foreign governments to rity or our democracy. gTess alone in the position of defining interfere in our eleetions. putting the Now is the time to end t,he pa.rtisan the limits of its own powers relative to integrity of a government of, for, and politics. come together, and put Amer the President. by the people at great risk. ica first. Our Bill of Rights g·uarantees every The evidence is overwhelming- and Mr. Speaker, I ur.!:re this body to vote American the right to confront their clearly shows that President Trump ''no" to partiRan impeachment. accuRer, to call witnesses in their de will continue to abuse his office and Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 fense, to be protected from hearsay. ok:;truct Congress if left uncheclrncl. minute8 to the distinguished gen and to defend theRe rights in court. The The Intellig-enee Committee con tleman from New York (Mr. JEFFRIES), Democrats have trampled them all in ducted a rotmst investigation into the Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, Georg·e their stampede to impeach. Even in President':,; misconduct. Members Washington. in his farewell address to this kangaroo court, the Democrats· interviewed 12 witnesses in public hear the Nation. counseled America that the hand-picked witnesse:::t provided no ings, totaling over 30 hours; conducted Constitution is sacredly oblig'atory firstharn.l :t:nowledg·e that the President 17 depositions. totaling over 100 hours; upon all. It is in that spirit that we linked aid to action-in fa.ct, two wit examined text messages and emails; re- proceed today. nesses provided fir::;thand knowledge 26617 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE H12141 that he specifically ordered no quid pro The SPEAKER :pro tempore. The gen ment. President Trump welcomed Rudy q_uo. tleman and all Members are reminded Giuliani back to the White House. Any case that charged no actual to address their remarks to the Chair. President Trump is still at it. He is crime and offered no le~ally a.dmisHible Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak doubling down. He doesn·t thinlc he can evidence would be laughed. out or court er, I U.o believe that our elections win an election fair and square. so he is in a heartbeat. That iR the case before should be free and fair. I do believe trying to cheat. To ignore these crimes us today. It would redefine the grounds that with all my heart. Exuept it seems is not just giving the Presiuent a :pas1:<-; for impeachment in such a way that like in this case impeachment is baRed. it is g-iving him a green light. Those assures that it will become a constant on the fact that the Speaker said laRt who vote against impeachment are not :presence in our national life. Now we month it would be dangerous to leave jm.;;t endorsing President Trump·s past know just how reckless is the Demo it to the voters to determine if Mr. actions but his future ones as well. crats· chant of "resist bv any means Trump stays in office. If you think I exa.gg·erate in warning' neceRsary." This is a stunlling ·abuse of Mr. Speaker. I yiel H12142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 Obstruction o! Cong'rN1s'? tinuing the effort to interfere in the be impeached. It erodes our Republic in 18 this the new Rtanda.rd'? election. wa.:vs that our Founding Fathers recog If this is the new standard. then In many of our congressional dis niz'eu. They got it right, high crimes everv President since Jimmy Carter tricts we worry about voter suppres and misdemeanors. Other than that, and · every President moving forward. sion and schemes that purge legitimate settle it at the ballot box. would and will be impeached. voters from participating in the elec I look forward to that day. Let the Let me be clear: It is an honor to tion, or we worry about Russian inter American people decide. serve in the United States House of ference in our election. It is a BA.d day The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Representatives, but toda.y I am dis in America when we have to worry DBGETTrn. Members are reminded to traught. Today Democrats will dis about the Commander in Chief inter address their remarks to the Chair. rega.rd the \.Vill of the American people fering- in the election in order to be re Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I re and vote to iml)ea.uh the duly elected. elected. Elections should be dedded by mind the ffentleman that, if President President of the United States. \Vhat the American :people. Trump is impeached and removed. the should be equally troubling iR that this I will vote for both Articles of Im new President will be MIKR PENCE, not has eroded. if not wt:oed. out, the trust peachment. It is my constitutional Hillary Clinton. the American people have in the 116th duty to fulfill my oath of office. No one Madam Speak:er, I yield 2 minutes to CongreRs. is above the law. the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam MUC. .i,.RSF:L-POW~LL ). President Trump said no quid pro quo Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the g·en Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam 8:peaker. I did not have the privilege of only after the White House learned of tleman from Utah (Mr. STF~\',' •.i,.RT). the whistleblower complaints and after Mr. STEWART. Madam Speaker. I being- born into this country. My moth er brought me from Ecua.dor, looking the Wa8hington Post had published an discovered some thin~: recently. It is article about the President's pressure for freedom a.nd op:portun1 ty. shock:ing. I know, but it turns out that But that iR not my l'!tory alone, This campai~•n on Ukraine. some people don't like President Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to is a story that I share with so many Trump. They think he is loud. they people who live in Floricta·s 26th Dis the disting•uished gentlewoman from think he can be arrogant. they think California (Ms. BASS). trict and all over the country. We have sometimes he says bad words, and experienced corruption in our countries Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, this is a sometimeR he is rude to people; and sad day in U.S. history when we have of hirth. where brutal dictatorships their sensitive natures have been of have choked their potential to benefit to vote on Articles of Impeachment be fended. I get that. I really do. cause Donald Trump has abused the those in power. But let's be clear. This vote this day This President elected by the Amer power of the Office of the Presidency in has nothing to do with Ukraine, it has his attempt to cheat his way to reelec ican l)eo:ple has violated his oath of of nothing to -do with abuse of power. and fice and violated the rule of law. The tion. it has nothing to do with obstruction of evidence is overwhelming that he with The facts are uncontested. Cong-ress. Faet one: The President abm;ed the held military aid approved by Congress This vote this tla.y is about one thing and leveraged a VVhite House meetini· power of his office by attempting to and one thing only: They hate this shake down the president of a country to extract a political favor from a for President. and they hate those of us eign g-overnment. that has been our ally. Trump wanted who voted for him. They think we are President Zelensky of Ukraine to dig The President actively Rought for stupid, and they think we made a mis eign election interference to benel:lt up and to make uP dirt on Vice Presi take. They think Hillary Clinton dent Eiden because he sees him as the himself. It is undeniable that he has should be the President. and they want abused his power and obstructed Con bili!'~'est threat to his reelection. to fix that. That is what this vote is Fact two: Trump wanted Zelem;ky to iTess. He presents a clear and present about. danger to our democracy. go before the press and announce an in They want to take away my vote and As an immigrant, I still get chills be vestigation of Biden hoping the mere throw it in the trash. They want to cause I feel so fortunate to live in this announcement would create doubt take away my President and extraordinary count,ry. The genius of about Eiden and strengthen Trump's delegitimize him so that he cannot be American democrao:.:y lies in our Con hand in the 2020 election. reelected. That is what this vote is stitution and the dedication to the rule Fact three: Trump obstructed Con about. of law. I want my children. and all of gress lly engag-ing· in a coverup. Trump For those who think this started our children. to feel the same way haR retnsed to comply with congTes with this investigation, what, nonsense. when they grow u:p. sional subpoenas anti has lllock:ed cur You have been trying to impeach this However, if we sit idly by as cracks rent and past em:ployees from testi President since before he was sworn begin to appear in our democratic in fying l)efore congressional committees. into office. stitutions, our children will be in the Congresi:i is a coequal branch of gov □ 1330 same situation so many of us experi ernment. and one of our central res:pon enced when we left countries whose sibilities is to provide oversight a.nd in Some of you introduced Articles of leaderA destroyed democracy. vestigation of the administration-the Impeachment before he was sworn into We in CongTess mus:t atiide by our verv cheeks and balanees the Framers office. This isn ·t something you are ap oath to defend our Constitution. That buiit into the Constitution so no one proaching· prayerfully and mournfully is mv dutv as a Member of this body. branch would have unchecked :Dower. and sadly: Oh, the chaos. Oh, the sad That~ is mY duty as a mother. The House of Representatives has no ness. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I yield H2 choice but to vote and pa.SH Articles of This is something you are gleetnl minutes to the gentleman from New Impeachment because President Trump about. and you have been trying- to do York (Mr. KtXG). has abused his power and obstructed it for 3 years. And it is very clear. You Mr. KING of New York. Madam the ability of Congress from per don't have to g'o back and Google very Speak:er, I thank the gentleman for forming our constitutional duty. The much to find out that is the a.bsolute :vtekling. urgency to move forward with Articles truth. I could give you pai,!:eR of exam Madam Speak:er, I rise today in of Impeachment is because there is no ples of things you have said for 3 years strong opposition to the Articles of Im reason to believe President Trump about this President. That is wha.t this peachment against President Trump. won't continue to abuse the power of is about. As Chairman NADLER must recall, ex his ofOce, no reason to believe he won't If this impeachment is successfuL the actly 21 years ag-o today, I spoke on continue to put hiR foot on the scale of next President, I promise you. is going this floor in opposition to the impeach hts reelection. and. in fact, his attor to be impeached. and the next Presi ment of President Clinton. And 21 ney just returned from Ukraine, and in dent after that. years ag·o tomorrow, I voted against all an article just released in The New If vou set this bar as being impeach four Articles of Impeachment agaim;t Yorker magazine confesses to con- able: every President in our future ½ill President Clinton. 26619 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE H12143 Today's Articles of Impeachment tleman from North Carolina (Mr. of the FBI and the Department of Jus against President Trump are an assault ROCZBR). tice, more Americans have an even on our Constitution and the American Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker. The dimmer view of very important Amer peor>le. To im:Deach a President for a Washington Post headlined the story ican institutions. Thankfully, the lens phone call for which no crime is immediately following Presiclent, of history will enRure that the truth is charged, never mind a high crime, and Trump tEtk:ing the oath of office stat told and will endure. asHerting his constitutional preroga ing: "The campatg·n to impeaeh Presi Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, one tive as a President is a clear a.buse of dent Trump has beg:un.'' How accurate s11ecifie concern of the Framers was a power by the Congress. It sets a dan they were. PreAident who would corrupt our elec gerous precedent of weaponizing im Here we are, almost 3 years later, and tions and who woulcl abuse the great peachment to undo the solemn decision what we are witnessing today is un powers of his office to ensure his own of the American people. precedented in American history, a reelection. Madam Speaker, President Trump very :partisan-based impeachment with The impeachment inquiry is not an and I grew up in the same borough of no factB that warrant it. This is an im effort to overturn an election. It is a New York City. and today, I am proud peachment based on hearsay and specu reaffirmation of the simple truth that. to stand with President Trump and lation rooted in a deep-seated hatred in the United States of America. no urge a "no'' vote on these horrible Ar for a man whom many of my colleagues person-not even the President-is ticles of Impeachment. I strongly urge on the other side deteBt-not all, tmt above the law, and our democracy can a "no" vote. many. Nowhere in the Constitution not allow a duly-electecl President to Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I does it say that perRonal disdain is abuse the riower of his office for per yield 2½ minutes to the gentlewoman g-roundA for imrieachment. sona.I and political g-ain. from California (Ms. LOFGREX). At every turn, the claims made by Madam Srieaker, I yield 21/2 minutes Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, the my Democratic colleagues have turned to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. President ancl Members of Congress out to be false. JACKSON LE~). each take an oath to uphold the Con Early on, it was claimed there was Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker. stitution. When the President abuses evidence of Russian collusion. There I hate no woman or man. his Presidential power to upend the was none. Today. the American people should constitutional order, we have an obli We were told the FBI didn't abuse receive clarity and truth. The Con gation to live up to our oath of office. the FISA process in its investigation of stitution is the highest law of the land. We have been presented with direct the Trump campaig-n. That, too, has The President breached and violated evidence about the President's autions. now Ueen proven eomriletely false. the Constitution of the United States They threaten our national security Then, when the Russian collusion of America. The President committed and undermine the integ·rity of the hoax collapsed. we were told that we constitutional crimes. The President's next election. We now vote on Articles would hear from a \Vhistleblower that crimes are impeaehable. of Impeachment for abuse of power and had details of a nefarious call between John F. Kennedy said: ••If this coun contempt of Congress as a result of the President and the President of try should ever reat:h the point where that evidence. Ukraine. Then. we found out they any man or group of men by force or I have worked on Presidential im weren't even on the call. and we still threat of force could long defy the peachments as part of the Committee don't even know who the whistleblower commands of our court and our Con on the Judiciary twice before. This is. stitution, then no law would stand free third time brings me no joy. \Ve were told there was clear evi from doubt ... and no citizen would be President Nixon attempted to cor dence of a quid pro quo for personal safe from his neighbors." rupt elections. His agents broke into ~-ain. After reading' the transcript, it is The facts are undisputed. the Democratic Party headquarters to obvious that you have to make as First. President Trump violated his g;et a leg up on the eleetion. and then, :mmptions that wouldn't even stand up oath of office by placing his persona.I just like President Trump, he tried to in traffic court to c.:ome to that conclu political interests above the national cover it up. Then, he resigned. This is sion. interest b~' scheming to coerce Ukraine even worse. Im,tead. the indisputable facts of into investigating a potential election PreHiclent Trump not only abused his record destroy their case: opponent. power to help his reelection, he used a The call transcript shows no conditionality Second, President Trump betrayed foreign government to do it. He used between aid and an investigation. the Nation's interests by ·withholding military aid provided to fight the Rus President Zelensky said there was no pres the congressionally agreed $391 million sians as leverage solely to benefit his sure. to a frag-ile ally against a very strong own political campaig11. The Ukrainian government had no knowl foe. Russia. Georg·e Wa.Rhington would be aston edge that any aid was being held up at the Third, the essential purpo?.e of the ished since he warned --against the in time of the call. scheme concocted by the President was sidious wiles of foreign influence." Ukraine never opened an investigation, but to enlist a foreign country to help in The direct evidence is damning. The still received aid and a meeting with President the 2020 election. President hasn't offered any evidence Trump. These acts are conRtitutional crimes to the contrary. These actions uon Thoug·h they alleg'e treason and brib and abuse of power. The truth is. the stitute grounds for Presidential im ery by the President. the articles we President did ask for a favor. Those peachment. consider today only make vague accu were hiR own words in the July 2D call What is before us iR a Rerious abuse of sations of abuse of power and obstruc no mention of corruption, only the vower and obstruction of CongTese. tion of Congress because they found no mention of the Bidens. These abuses strike at the heart of our evidence of treaAon or bribery, or any The President was engaged in wrong Constitution. thing else, for that matter. doing and is a clear and present danger. The President's unconstitutional The SPEAKER pro tempore. The He has a pattern. and his behavior re abuse of power, a high erime and mis time of the gentleman has expired, mains a continuing threat to America's demeanor. is ong•oing. He totally re Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam nationa1 security. fused to provide any information to Speaker, I yield an additional 30 sec The truth is that abuse of power does Congress related to the impeachment onds to the gentleman from North violate the Constitution while both inqniry. Carolina. corrupting and c.:heating our Ameriean It is our responsibility to use the tool Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker. today democracy. His acts lletrayed the Na our Founders gave us in the Constitu is a very sad clay for our Republic. The tion. He must take care to execute tion to preserve the constitutional country iR now more divided than it laws faithfully. order. We must impeach. ever ha.s been in my lifetime. The truth This is the truth. \Vhy does the truth Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam has been trampled by this House of matter? Because it matters to the Speaker, I yield H2 minutes to the gen- Representatives. Because of the ahuseR farmer at his or her plow. It matters to 26620 H12144 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 the waitress on an early-morning shift. of behavior remains a continuing threat to very eomJ:ict,ent and venr oxpl!'!rl\mcod ambas- It matters to the steelworker building America's national security. The truth is that 1'11'1.dot· who will work ht1.nl on making euro America. It matters to the teacher in a abuse of power does violate the Constitution, that our two nat,ions are g-ettiII.J:{ clOl'IOI'. I would aleo liktt and hope to 1Mw him having fifth g·rade class. It matters to a moth while both corrupting act and cheating our your truet an(l your oonfidt1n00 and have por- er l,isHing her military recruit going American democracy. His acts betrayed our 1",onal rAla.tion.,.. with you so we com coopei·ate off to war. nation, even more so. I will pl!'!reonally tell you that The Constitution must be preserved. The Framers were concerned about abuse one of my assistants t1p;:ike with Mr. Giuliani Our law::,,. must be honored and re of power as the Judiciary Committee impeach juet rccontly and we are hopin.r very much ffpected. The bloodshed and sacrifice of ment report said. The abuse of power was the that 'Mr, Oinlitmi will be a.ble to travel to fellow Americans c~nnot be ignored. use of official power ln a way that on its face 'Ckt·aine and we will meet once he comef'. to trampled on, or rejected. grossly exceeds the President's constitutional Ukraine. I jul'!t w.1.nted t.o al".ei:urt~ you oneo again tha.t you have nohO(\y but frhmds Our actions on the vote taken today authority and violates the take care clause a.round uei:. I will make rmre that I i:mrround must be for no personal gain or gran which commands the President to faithfully myeelf with t,hti best and moet cxriorienc(ld deur. execute the law-not to demand a foreign prwplfl. I alflo wantorl to tell ynu t.hat we a.re The bright light of this constitu country to investigate his 2020 opponent and fritindl'I. Wo g,rt~ great frionde and ynu Mr. tional democracy has been ilimmed be deprives Americans a fair and unfettered right Prel'!-i December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12145 gre.a.t country. I have many Ukrainian bling that the omragP would eventually Since Rus.sh1.:s steal t.hy t-akeovet of Crimea frieU(ll'I, their inorediblo peoplf:. p&l!lf', as it dh1 after RUl',Kilil.'l!I war with Geor bog1rn, :Mi-. Putin has ~,\id v0ry littk in pub Prol'lident Zelen!'lkyy: I would like to tf1l1 gia in 2.)08, bricauia.i, a nl'lwly M>P,fll'live Ru.!ll' H12146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 JETU:-JEH EXPLODES OVJ:;R 'GKRAINB; STJWCK QUoto.1 br UuMia:s RIA Novosti news a.ioncy. Despite the turmoil, th~ commordal e.ir DY MISSIIJI:. 0FFIC!Al,S SAY .Mr. Putin l'ia.itL "Thll" tragedy wuuld not ~tllOt'J o••t'Jr oap,tcrn Vkrainfl il'I he~vi]y t.raf (Dy Sabrina 1'avernise. Eric Schmitt a,nd havt'J hAPP•:med if tht'Jl'e was poa.ct'J in the finkcd e.nd hM roma.inl'td open. Quel'ltion!I are Riek Gladstone. July 17. 2014) country, if milit61'Y op(mJtionl'I ha.d not re likflly to be raised in the coming clo.yf!'. ahnut o'\Umfld in the ~outheast of Ukrai!rn. ,. why th1~ traffic hUfl, which is eontrollt~d hy GP.ABOVO. "Ck.RAU.:1':.,-A Malaysia Airline!', The L'nite,l ~utionf!. SenuHty Connell Booing 777 with 298 pflo-ple aboard erplodt1d, Ukr"'ino and Ru1'f!'.ia. wa"' not clo!led flELrliPr. ~ehedulod a meeting on the Ukt·ai.ne crisis With the news of tho cra"'h on Thureday, cru!'hed anrl burned on a flOWfH'Od whetl.t field fo1• Fritlay mnrnin~. "Ukraine declared the eastern part of the 'I'hur,.da,y in <\ pm't of eastern Ukt't1.ino con Adding to Dkra.ini~n anrl Wei.:-tern i.:-ui- country l.'l nn-lly zone. Amc,riean and Euro trolle(\ by pro-UuMia Mpa.ratilltl'I, blown out picions that prn-Ru11>1-ia snpa,ratists WPre cul pean carrif'rs rerouted their flights. and of thl\ •kY at 33.0{l) fr•,et, b1; whiil..t Ukra.inia.n pAble, Ukra.i.no'!'I intelli.gene1, agonoy, tho _".t:roflot. HUl'l'lia'p, nutional carrier, an and Aro"ricll.n officia.h1 \ll"l!'tC:rilwd as a Rus Sta.to 8ecm·ity 8orvice, known a,111, thtl S.B.U., nounotid that it. ha.(l !'!llf!.p1mdod a.11 flightf!. W ~h\n-m;J(l<~ <.\ntiair·o1•aft mieKil". rel,xt.sed au.Uo from what it ,aid wei·e inter Ukraine for ~tt lca8-t thret'J day~. The con Ukn1.ino anculllod t,ht1 MPt1.ra.th1t,,-, of na.r cnpterl phone call"' hfltWe1'ln •o:t:iaratist rebels P.picuout1 l'tXcoption was A01-oflot flightf!'. to ryinp,: out, wht1.t, it calkd a lr!rr-ori11.t o.tta.ek. and RuMilil.n milit,ary int,t'Jllig·onc,~ officort1 on Crimoa., tht' southern pcnimmh, AmoricAn int~lligonoe e.n December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12147 '11.•aining Center in wesLern Ukni.ino. '·And al pulled a.way from the front llncs and kopt, in U.S. Del'l:pite the Trump a.dminh1tmtfon·e the en H12148 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 I have heard Republicans say: Why Even with the odds so blatantly Clinton would never intend to jeov are we rushing to ju<]g·ment? This is stacked against the President. Demo ardize our national security. Again. the not a rush to judg·ment; it is a rush to cratB !'\till came up with absolutely following April. the next month, Peter justice. and we must not December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12149 The answer, of course. is never, But bribery, then extortion, and the list in doing so. No American should take joy in that word doeR not come trippingly goes on: yet, not one of those is listed the impeachment of a president But as Mem from the tong·ues of those who are in the Articles of Impeachment. bers of Congress, we took an oath to support making the choice to stand behind a To m:v Democrat colleagues. Madam and defend the Constitution of the United man Whose behavior is not worthy of Speaker, I say: Please stop tearing the States. Today we are living up to that respon your tortured words. country apart. Stop this Rham. sibility. My impeachment vote is also a signal By our vote today, we are speaking Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I to future presidents that they are not above to future Presidents and to future gen yield myself such time as I may con the law and will be held accountable if they erations. We are declaring' that we will sume. violate our Constitution. When our children not tolerate foreign interference in our The gentlewoman is correct. Presi and grandchildren look back on this historic Presidential elections. Americans dent Trump·s behavior is not new. He time, I hope they will know we did not shy alone will determine the outcome. has a pattern of engaging in mis away from our oath of office and that we And we will not permit a President conduct and then ol.Jstruding- any in fought to protect our democracy and to pre• to order the complete defiance of a co vestigation into hh; misconduct to serve our Constitution for them and for future equal Oranch of government. cover up his adions and hide the truth generations. In the end. regardless of the outcome from the American people. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I of this impeachment, the President's Madam Speaker, I yield to the gen yiel<.l 1 minute to the distinguished tenure will end, and this body and our tlewoman from California (Ms. ROY gentleman from Rhode Island \Mr. grandchildren will be left with what we BAL-ALLARD) for the purpose of a unan LANGBYIN). did here today. imous consent request. Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, our Ours is a Bomber g:enerational duty (Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD asked and Nation was founded on certain prin about love of country and lifting our was given permission to revise and ex ciples: that g·overnment should be of, Constitution to its graveRt protections tend her remarks.) by, and for the :people: that a system of but its highest aspirations. Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam three coequal branches of government Our democracy iR a matter of con Speaker, I rise in supJ;)ort of today·s would provide the checks and balances science and. by voting to safeguard our impeachment :proeeetling-s. I include nece.sRary to ensure the J;)eople':::1 voices Constitution, mine is clear. my statement in the RECORD. are heard; and that no one is above the law. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Madam Speaker, today, the House of Rep Speaker. I yield myself such time as I Today, sadly, we are voting to im resentatives will vote to impeach the President peach President Donald John Trump may consume. of the United States, In America's 243-year A:::1 I have reminded many times. we beeause he has fundamentally broken history, he is only the third president to be im his covenant with the American people. have followed a sham process that we peached. The rarity of this process reminds us have had to deal with, and we have fol In doing' so, we are using the powerA impeachment is an extraordinary remedy and the Founding Fathers enshrined. in the lowed the facts and won both. should be taken only against a president if I will remind that, if you want to Constitution to address a President their actions are simply beyond the pale. who ha.s violated hie oath of office. talk about elections, remember, it was When Congress !earns a president may the Speaker of the House who said we The evidence is clear amt the facts have committed an lmpeachable act, it is are not in question: can't trust the voters: it is too dan Congress's constitutional duty to investigate gerous to leave it with the voters for President Trump has consistently en whether the president's actions are impeach g·a.~ed in a pattern of behavior incon President Trump next year. able. Our House did just that when we !earned Madam Speaker, I yield. 2 minutes to sistent with the rule of law: the g·entlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. the president may have undermined the Con He ha.g refused to take responsibility LESKO). stitution In his dealings with the Ukrainian gov for his actions; Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, as you ernm(.mt. He has undermined the checks and all know, I serve on both the .Judiciary I disagree with President Trump on almost balanceR we rely on by obstructing Committee and RuleR Committee, and I every issue. I do not agree with the way he CongreHs at every turn: have literally spent hours----hours--- runs his government. I do not agree with his And. mogt im:portantly, he has spending priorities. ! do not agree with his abused his power Uy using hts office to poring over testimony, looking at doc solicit foreign interference in our elec uments, sitting in hearings. treatment of migrants seeking asylum in this And do you know the oonclueion I got country. I believe he ls temperamentally ill tions, undermining the will of the peo ple. from all of that? ThiR impeachment is suited to his office, to put it mildly. But ! have had disagreements, of one kind or another, So. on this sad day for our Nation. I a total joke and a total sham. And let will do what the President has so often me tell you one of the reasons why I with every president with whom I have served. However, disagreements over policy, tone, failed to do: I will fulfill my oath to think that. support and defend the Constitution, All of those witnesses. the 17 wit and style are simply not enough to justify im· peaching a president. and I vvill vote in favor of impeach nesses that the Democrats broug'ht for ment. ward, not one single one of them \.Vas The voters of our country placed incredible able to establish that President Trump trust in this president when they elected him. D 1400 committed bribery, treason, high He now holds the most powertu! office in the Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam crimes, or misdemeanors, which is re most powertul country in the world, the United Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen ciuire H12150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 crime. And since there is no concise This is a vote for our Constitution. scribes. because the threats to our de legal definition of abuse of tiower, the setting· the precedent for all future mocracy are real and present. majority party in the House can des Presidents, Democrat or Republican. With this vote, we affirm that no ignate nearly any disagTeement Vl'ith Donald Trump must be held account one. including the President, is above the President from now on an impeach able for his actions. Today, we send a the law. able of!ense. clear sig-nal to thiR President and all Madam Speaker, impeachment was de The 3-econd article, alleged obstruc future PreRidents: No one is above the signed by our framers as the ultimate constitu tion of Congress, would vro December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE H12151 of this sham process and these illeg'it should prove his innocence when she years trying to overturn the 2016 elec imate Artieles of Impeachment. These stated: Mr. President. if you have any tion of President Trump and come up articles ·were written and built on a re thing that shows your innocence, then with nothing-. port that was drafted w1 th biased pre you should make that known. Because of their radical leftViiing', sumptions, cherry-picked witnesses, The Constitution also guarantees Democrats are willing to make all fu and vastly disputed facts. that the accused can call witnesses to ture Presidential elections invalid The President did not commit an,v testify on their behalf. but the Repub until judged worthy by the majority in impeacha.tile offense, and it is dear for licans and the President were contin the House or Representatives. all of UR to Ree through the now very ually denied that right throughout this The PreRident of the United States well-known transcript. This rigged proce.ss. does not serve at the plea.sure of the proce~ sets a concerning precedent !or The Sixth Amendment gnaranteeA House of Representatives. impeachable offenses moving forward, t,he rh{ht of the defendant to !n.ee their Perhaps the ~;reatest denial of reality and. I wholeheartedly oppose these accuser. but not only have the Demo regarding President Trump is acknowl baselesR Articles of Impeachment. crats prohibited Republicans and the edging that. under his policies. things Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. President from queRtionini;:: the so are actually g-oing: much better than yield 1 minute to the gentleman from called whistleblower, his identity has they have in decadeR for working California (Mr. PET£HS ). been kept secret. Americans. Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker. many Before Members take this historic: We are a demoeratic constitutional have lamented that this effort is not vote totlay, one week before Christmas. Republic in which power nows from we bipartisan, but that is on my Repub I want Membertl> to keep this in mind: the veo:ple to our President and elected lican collea.~ues. When Jesus was falsely accused of trea offlcials. Re:publicanA have not sought the son, Pontius Pilate g·a.ve Jesus the op The Democrat majority thinks other truth. They have sought to avoid the portunity to face his accm">ers. During wise. They believe that they are enti truth. They have demeaned and in that sham trial, Pontius Pilate af tled to rule us even if they have to sulted witnesAes. :patriots, warriors, forded more rig·htR to Jesus than the change the rules to invalidate the will and career diplomats who have pro Democrats have afforded this President and the votes of the people of America. vided evidence against the President. in this process. No House Republican has joined us to That is why the absence of a case does Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. the demand the documentH allll witnesses not matter in this charade of impeach that President Trump has refused to President was given the opportunity to ment. produce. come and testify before the Judiciary I believe that the American people And Senate Republican leaders. this Committee, to send his counsel, to recognize and share my urgency about week. have announced that President question witnesses. He declined to do what iK at stake here. Trump, himself. can set the rules of his SO. Madam Spei.ker, you and your major trial and there will be no fact wit Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to ity may decide toda~r. but I have faith neRses, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. KIL that the American people will decide Republicans refuse to seek the truth DER). otherwiRe next November. and condemn the ab1rne of power or to Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, this is Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I work with us to prevent this ongoing· a sad day for our country and for our yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman behavior in the .ruturt:i, and that is the democracy. The President has abused from Washington (Ms. DBLBE:\"B). the powers of his office, betrayed the tragedy of todJ1.y's events. □ 1415 In our Nation's history, thousands of public trust. and undermined Amer Americans have g-one into battle ½'ith ica's national Ri:lcurity tiy pressuring a Ms. DmJBENE. Madam Speaker. I rise out reservation to _ng,ht for our Repub fot•ai~n government to interfere in our today in support of this reKolution. lic as they still do today. Many have elections for his own political gain. After carefully reviewing a.11 of the been gravely injured, and some have In this moment in our history, the evidence and the Articles of Impeach made the ultimate sacrifice. But today, Constitution is clear: The remedy for ment before us. it is clear that Presi in contrast, for fear of losing an elec such misconduct by a President iR im dent Trump abused the power of the tion. my colleagues will not speak up peachment, Presidency and obstructed Congress. I did not eome to this conulusion for the rule of law or ag'a.im1t Presi I didn't come here to Con,ness to im dential abuse of power. Voters may :peach a President of the United StateR, lightly. but. sadly. the President's misconduct Impeachment is an extremely serious give them a pass, but history will judge matter. but no President can be al them harshly. leaves us no choice but to follow the I will vote for the Articles of Im Constitution. lowed to pressure a foreign country for peachment. I have two grandchildren. My grand personal and political gain. No Presi Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam daughter. Caitlin, is 8. and my grand dent is above the law. Speaker, I yield 11/2 minutes to the gen son. Colin. is 4. Some day a long time His behavior has jeovardized the in tleman from Georgia (Mr. from now, they will ask me about this tegTity of our elections, put our na LOUDERMILK). day. They will ask about the time a tional security at risk, and placed his Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, President put himself al.love the law, personal interm;ts above those of the I thank my eolleague and friend from and they Viiill want to know what I did American :people. Georgia (Mr. COLUNS) for yielding. to stop him. And I ~ill have an answer His obstruction has prevente H12152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 I represent the Fifth District of Vir liance. At Putin's direction, Russia il sut,poenas and then he sues to block ginia. which was home to so many legally invaded Ukraine in 2014. As third parties from c;omplying- with such FoundinK Fathers whose vision shaped Ukrainians defend Euro tie's eastern subpoenas. the g-reat country we are living· in flank. 14,000 people have heen k:illed at Even as he pursues his own interests today. Putin's hand, with over 2 million dis in court, his administration simulta Thomas Jefferson and James Madi placed. neously argues that Congress is barred ::,;on are not around to see what their Rather than stand up to Putin. Presi from obtaining judidal enforcement creation has become. but I don't think dent Trump and his minions aided when executive branch officials dis they would be pleased to see Congress Putin, firBt in hastening Russian inter regard its sub:tioenas. sutlverting the will of democracy by ferenz:e in our 2016 elections. and then So when can the PreBident be held holding' an impeachment vote because more recently withholding vital mili ac;countable for his wrongdoing'? In his the majority party simply cannot ac tary aid from Ukraine to coerce its in mind, never. cept the 2018 election. terference in our 2020 elections for Mr. The Constitution, however, disagrees. Instead of wasting the taxpayers' Trump's personal gain. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to time and money on specious investiga Might I end by ea,ying: Onward to lib the gentlewoman from the District of tions. we could have paP.sed leg1Rla.tion erty. Vote for the Articles of Impeach Columbia (Ms. NOHTO;\). to addreHR surprise medical hillin~·. se ment. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker. my cure the border. address the opioid epi Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam words are my only remedy today, in demic. reduce :::;tudent detit, and solve a Speaker, I yield 1½ minutes to the gen spite of the upcoming D.C. statehood litany of other issues tha.t Americans tleman from North Carolina (Mr. MUR vote we expect to be successful. The :DeO:Dle or the District o! Colum actually care about. PHY). Tomorrow, we might have a vote on Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. bia have no vote on impeachment or on the USMCA, which we should have Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to any other matter on this floor now. passed months ago had it not been for I Kpo:t:e on this Door on the impeach these baseless Articles of Impeachment ment of President Clinton 20 years a_g·o. the obstruction and delays from Demo and the unprecedented procE;;RS that has crats. delays that have rnade farmers Unlike the Clinton impeachment on been used in this effort to impeach perjury concerning an affair with an in my district and other districts suf ment the Uuly elei:.:ted President of the fer. intern, Trump's impeachment turns on United States. sabotage of national sec;urity to g'et Votes like the one we will take It is a mockery of American justice. today, the decisions that have led up to hiru8elC reelected. - In 1788, one of our Founding Fa.thers. today's vote, the nature and entire Clinton repented. Trump insists that Alexander Hamilton. wrote in the Fed he did nothing; wrong·. That is a prom proces.c; of this proceeding reelrn of ca eralist Papers: reerist bureaucrats and politicians that ise to continue his long :tiattern of put politks over :tieovle. In many caeee, impoanhmont will oonn1,ct abuse of power and obstruction of Con I wag not elected to take political it,.,nlf with th1: prn,~xi1::1ting faetionl!I ... amt gress, in euch NU'.08. tht1rl'I will ~\lwa.ye be t,hc grl'lal, votes that attempt to overturn the will est tlangflr that the decision will be J"fl@;ulatod Impeachment is our only recourse. of the American :tieo:tile. I ran for office more by the oomparahlti etrflngth of partiee. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam to serve my constituentR. Let's remem majority and mi.nm·ity, than by real dem Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gen ber: that is why we are here. onettil.t,ion• of innoccnoo or B"Uil1..,. tleman from Colorado (Mr. BCCK), a Weaponizing· emotion is not the way What does this mean? It means that member of the Judiciary Committee. to Be1-ve the United States of America. the majority can exert its influence re Mr. BUCK. Madam Speaker, I thank Amt Madam Speaker, to my col gardless or juRtice. the g-entlema.n from Georgia (Mr. COL leagues who do just that, I offer a LINS) for yielding. In this statement, Hamilton warned Today. Democrats lower the bar for quote Thomas Paine wrote in ·'The Cri us about the danger of mob rule. sis'': "To argue with a person who has im:tieachment. Democrats have a criminal and have Under thiB standard, a President can renounced the use of reason is like ad been searching- for a crime for 3 years, ministering medicine to the dead." be im:tiea.ched in the absence of a crime. but this President has not committed a without due process. and for a.aserting· Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I crime. would remind the g·entleman that the a legally, constitutionally reco~;nized As the leader of American foreign privilege. House has paRsed over 400 bills, 275 bi policy, the President has a constitu :tiartisan billR: driving- down costs of HiBtory shows Democrat Presidents tional obligation to root out corrup have abused power and undermined de heal th care and prescription drugs, rais tion in countries to which we provide ing wages, rebuilding infra.~tructure, mocracy to win elections. and yet they aitl. This iK not an abuse of power. It is have not been impeached. taking- on corruption and self-dealing; his job. in Waflhington. Eighty percent of these President Franlclin Roosevelt used One of the articles is obstruction of the IRS to target his political oppo bills are languishing on Senator OonKress. The only thing that has been Mccrn,n·mu:s desk. nents. His Bon later admitted FDR used Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to obstructed is this President's right to "the IRS as a weapon of political ret the g·entlewoman from Ohio (Ms. KAP due vroce88. ribution.·' TCR). I don't blame the President for refus President John F. Kennedy used the Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I ing to fully participate in this guilty FBI to wiretap and monitor political thank the chairman for yielding. until-proven circm\. This is not how opponents, including congre;-,sional I wish to place on the record that our Founding Fathers framed Amer staff. He deported one of his mistresses Members of Congress swear a solemn ican justice. to avoid Rcandal. oath to protect and defend the Con This is a tragic day in our Nation's President Lyndon Johnson spied on stitution against all enemies, foreign history. ·v.,re have individualR that hate Goldwater's campaign, sig:ning off on and domestic. Today we fulfill our oath this President more than they lave this wiretapping- his opvonent and Gold by defending liberty. country. water's airplane, and using- a CIA svy The c;entral figure testing America's Our country needs prayer, and not to obtain advance covies of Gold.water's resolve is not here in Washington this disruptive partisanship. stra.teg·ies and ~:tieeches. today. Rather, the closeted villain sits Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I President Bara.Gk: Ollama refused to in Moscow at the Kremlin. yield myself such time as I may con vrovide documents to Cong:ress related Vla.Uimir Putin has coordinated mur sume. to Fast and Furious. His unconstitu ders, election hacking, propaganda, the Madam Speaker. the President's ob tional rec;ess appointments were unani entrapment of \villing· fools and greedy struGtion is unprecedented and cat mously struck down Oy the Supreme underlings who vut their own RelfiBh egorical. President Trump claimR that Court. He used national security agen intereBtK over liberty. the House cannot investigate his mis cies to lie to the American pea:tile Putin Reeks to sow disarray and de conduct outside of an impeachment in about Ben2·hazi to win the 3012 elec stabilize democracies and the NATO al- quiry. He defies lawful co11...~ressional tion. He spied on reporters. Finally, it 26629 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12153 was the Obama administration that You know, I have been on all sides of was ever denied them. and when they committed 17 serious violations before the courtroom. I was a prosecutor in got through, they actually got the the FISA Court to spy on Trump cam the Navy. I was a defense attorney in money, and they never did anythin.,iar for paig'n associates. the Navy. I was a district judge in my it. - Despite these clear abuses of power hometown. We have talked about the facts. That by FDR, JFK, LBJ, and Obama, Repub And let me tell you, as a lawyer. I is a distraction that doesn ·t need to licans did not impeach. would defend this ease every day of the happen. \Vhy? Because the Framers did not week. As a judge, I would dismiBR this Madam Speaker, I yield HS minutes want a low bar for impeachment. They on day one for lack of merit. There is to the g·entleman from Ohio (Mr. DA wanted Congresfl and the President to no prima facie case here. Yinso::-,;). work out their differences. I will tell you who I would prosecute, Mr. DAVIDSON of Ohio. Madam When I a.~ked Pro!eRBor Turley in a though. I would prosecute ADA}:I SCHIFF Speaker, I have heard numerous col Judiuiary Committee hearing if any for abuse of power. Why? Haw about leagues say they didn't run far Con President could avoid impeachment the fact that he used hiR position a,_q gTeBs to impeach the President. Well, \\:rith those low standards. he said. chairman to leak :phone records of maybe not 01iginally. but. unfortu '·No." Ranking Member DiffTN Nm,rns? How nately, from the moment :proceedin.g·s Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I re about the fact that he dumped over began, after the fourth vote to launch mind the gentleman that President 8,000 :pa,geR of documents on Repub an impeachment inquiry, today's vote Obama provided thom;ands of pages of lica.ns lesR than 48 hours before a hear was ine,"itable. Many of them cam information to congressional refJ.Ue3ts, ing? That is the abuse of :power. paigned on it. and that Attorney General Holder and And obstruction? I would. :prosecute I love thiR country with a soldier's others testified. unlike now. the Democrats for obstruction. How passion. I came here to defend freedom, Mad.am Speaker. I yield 1 minute to about the fact that the Judiciary Com not to deny due :process to anyone. I the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. mittee Democrats voted down my re came here to solve problems and KELLY). quest to subpoena. the whistleblower'? change the broken status quo, not to MB. KELLY of Illinois. Mad.am How aliout the fact that Chairman distract or disrupt those, like Presi Speaker. today is a solemn day in NADLER refused every single Repub dent Donahl Trump, who deliver on America, a day that none of us ho:ped lican request for a fa.ct witness? That is :promise8 to put America back on the for when we came to Congress. but the obstruction of CongTess. path of peace and :prosperity that has events of today are something that So, again, let me be clear: Today is made and kept our country free. each of us swore that we were prepared nothing more than a political hit job. For months no\v. Americans have to execute in defense of the Cons ti tu Mr. NADLER. Madam 8:peaker, once heard speculation about the Presi tion of the United States against all ag•ain. I hear a lot of attacks on Demo dent's motives in Ukraine. Despite enemies, foreign and domestic. c1~atic Members of Congress, but not months of effort, dozens of hearings, This is the oath that hinds the men and countless documents, Americam, and women of the 116th Congress, as one single word of substantive defenBe of the President's conduct. have not seen proof that the President our democracy implores we defend her. committed a high crime or a mis A clear and vreHent threat to Amer Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to ican democracy is what brings us here. the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CON demeanor. NOLLY). We have a revublic, if we can keep it. The a.re hi tect. a President who asked This is a dieg-racefal and dishonest that a foreign nation interfere in our Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam svealrnr, election: this wa..~ our Founding Fa eaeh of us here took an oath to protect process. It is a diseredit to this botlv thers' greatest fear. and defend the Constitution of the and to our Nation. I cast this solemn vote for the many United States, not the President, and Madam Speaker. I urge the House to individuals in my district who en not our political :party. drop these divisive Articles of Im trusted me to be their voice in Con Today, history will judge. Did we peachment and get to work for the &TeRR. They entnrnted me to uphold our abide that oath'? American people. Constitution for them. To extort a foreign country to inves Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, how I vote "yes" for Sarah in Chica.go, tigate your politieal opponent is an un much time do both sides have remain Doug in Kankakee, Diane in constitutional abuse of power. To so ing, :please? Flossmoor; "yes'' for Kathy in licit foreign interference in an Amer The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen Momence, Kathryn in Crete, and ican election is an uncorn:,titutional tleman from New York has 1 hour and Jimmy in Park ForeBt. abuse of power. 2 minutes remaining. The gentleman The facts are simple. The path for The need to protect against just such from Georgia has 2 hours and 3 minutes ward is clear. Impeachment is not an abuses promvted our Founders to ~'rant remaining-. option, it is an obligation, because no the sole power of impeachment to this Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I one is above the law. House. yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam The delicate balance of :power that from New York (MB. VELAZQUEZ). Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gen underpins our democracy is threatened Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Ma H12154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 Every single one of us, today. faces a I agree that, elections are the appro ri ty. and to the rule of law. Congress stark choke. If we choose to turn a priate venue for pulllic policy diaputeR. must vote to impeach him to protect blind eye, to put political expediency However, we are not talking about a our constitutional Republic. There is before the Constitution, then we are public policy dispute. VVe are talking· no al terna ti ve. complicit in this subversion of democ about a President who subverted na Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam racy. If we do not hold this President tional security by soliciting foreign in Speaker. the only urgent threat to this accountable, we have failed the people terference in our elections, the exact body is the clock and the calendar and who sent us here. and we have abdi thing our Foumtlng Fathers feared and the desire to impeach the President be cated our own oath to defend the Con the exact circumRtance for which they fore we go home for Christmas. Btitution. drafted the impeachment clam~e. Madam Speaker, I yield lVJ minutes In the United States of America. no Our democracy, our Constitution. de to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. one is above the law, not even the serves standing up for. not Donald DAYrnP. ROE). President. John Trump. Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam I will leave my colleagues with this Madam Speaker. today is a sad day in Speaker. it iR my pleasure to yield 2 last thought as they decide how to cast the peol)le's House. Since Donald minutes to the gentleman from Ala this historic vote: For what shall it Trump was elected in 2016, Democrats bama (Mr. BYRXB). profit a man to gain the whole world have been on a crusade to stop him by Mr. BYRNE. Madam Speaker. in 3 only to lose his own soul. any means. months, we have gone from receiving Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam I believe the American people are the an unsubstantiated. hearsay, and dis Speaker. I yield 1½ minutes to the gen fairest people on thiR Earth. They be credited whistleblmver complaint to tleman from Texas (Mr. GoonEN). lieve that everyone should be treated the production of Articles of Impeach Mr. GOODEN. Madam Speaker. this equally under the law, no matter what ment a.ga.in8t a President of the United is the day the Foumling Fathers feared station you occupy in life: rich or poor, States. Not since Andrew Johnson has when they granted CongresR the power President or factory worker-fair. This the House engaged in such a partisan of impeachment, where we have a polit process has been anything but fair. political stunt. ical :pa.rty so dead set ag·aim~t the For 2 years, we have Ueen told that From the beginning, this has been a PreRident that they will do anything to then-candidate Donald Trump colluded 8ha.m. and this Hom,e has been nothing impeach him. Arnl they are about to with Russians to interfere with our but a star chamber. The DemocratiC get away with it, simply becam~e they elections. Two years and millions of majority literally locked themselves in dollars spent on the Mueller investiga the basement or this building, hiding have the votes. But that is not how from the American people. When my this procee~ is supposed to work. tion: no collusion. It iR not mea.nt to be dictated by a You would think. after being that volleag·ues and I refused to stand for it, thin partisan majority. nor is it meant wrong. Democrats would tina.lly decide Democrats moved to public hearing8 to work on the problems that the but denied us queRtionR. denied us wit to be used when an election is just around the corner. American people sent us here to do. nesBes, and denied the President any You \Yould be wrong again. meaningful opportunity to defend him No one understands that better than our Speaker. for whom I have great re Then. we were told that the Presi self. With this complete abuse of procesB, spect. And I agree with the comments dent withheld money to the Ukrainians the Democratic majority has produced she made on March 6 of just this year: in a quid pro quo. No, no. a bribery. No. the flimsiest and most legally unsound ''Impeachment is so divisive to the abuse of power. I g·ue~R whatever polls Articles of Impeachment in the history country that unless there is something best-to gather information on a po of this Nation. Never before has the so compelling and overwhelming and tential political rival. House reported. an Article of Impeach bipartisan, I don't think we should g·o Well, here are some facts about what ment that does not allege an under down that path because it divides" the happened: lying· crime, yet this majority will do Nation. Fact number one: The transcript of so today. That is exactly what haA happened.. the July 2.5 phone conversation that Read the transcripts. There was no When we walk out of here tonight. we the President released shows no pres quid pro quo, no bribery, no extortion, all know how this result is g•oing to go. sure. no crime, and no abuse of :power. They The Democrats are voting for this. Not Fact number two: President Zelensky don't even allege a crime in their Arti one Republican is breaking. This is not did not know the money was withheld. cles of Impeachment. The President bipartisan. Fact number three: No investigation raising Ukrainian corruption is not an The American :people are disgusted occurred or was announced. impeachable offense. with the United States House of Rep Fact number four: The money was re If the dealings of Hunter Eiden were resentatives, and we bring shame upon leased September 11. 2019. so al:Jovelloarc1: you would think the this body today by moving forward Facts are stub1iorn thingR. One Mem majority would be just fine looking with this impeachment. ber on the other side of the aisle said: into this matter. Yet, they haven't Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I "I'm concerned that if we don't im moved. my reRolution a8king· for an in yield 1 minute to the gentleman from peach this President, he will get re vestigation, and our subpoenas for California (Mr. L0\VE:'-l:THAL). elected." That. Madam Speaker. says it Hunter Biden have all been denied. Mr. LOWENTHAL. Madam Speaker, all. Hunter Eiden doesn·t get a pasA be the facts in this case are a.s 8imple as Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I cauRe his dad was Vice President. they are tragic. Witness after witness yield 1 minute to the R'entlewoman I arn proud to have fou,~ht against attested to these facts. No one has from Oregon (Ms. Bo~A~ICI). this charade every ~tep of the way, and crediuly refuted them. Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I I will proudly vote -·no'· today. President Trump tried to coerce take se1iously my oath to uphold and Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 elec defend the Constitution. and I do not yield 1 minute to the ~;entlewoma.n tions. He used the power of his office take today's proceedings lightly. from Wisconsin (MB. MOORE). for personal political g·ain. The Founding Fathers included the Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, the By withholdin_e: am. to Ukraine, the im:peachment procesA in the Constitu facts are uncontestable. The evidence President has endangered our ally tion to uphold our values and to main is overwhelming. The President gToAsly Ukraine and undermined our own na tain the checks and balances that are misused the Office of President and ob tional security. \Vhen he g·ot caught. essential to separation of powers and structed Congress. and justice requires the President attempted to cover up to democnwy. They knew way back in this impeachment. the crime and shut down any investiga 1787 that a President could abuse the I feel compelled to respond to the tion by obst111cting- Cong·ress. :power of the office. In fact, they adopt false narrative that Democrats are We have overwhelming evidence that ed the phrase "high crimes and mis using this process to overturn an elec thiR President poses an urgent threat demeanors" from a phra.se that had tion. to our elections, to our national secu- been used in the English Parliament 26631 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12155 ,since 1386 intended to cover situations □ 144,o President Trump is keeping hiR cam where an official abused his power and In a republic. no person is above the paign promises. and you hate him for included disobeying an order from the law. In a republic. the President may that. Parliament. not abuse his po\ver by withholding' The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem Donald Trump has abused the power critical foreign assistance for his own bers are again reminded. to address of his office by inviting a foreign gov personal political gain nor may he stop their remarks to the Chair. ermnent to interfere in the U.S. elec witnesReR from talking. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I tion. He did this not to help the United I did not come to Congress to im yield myself such time as I may uon States but to benefit himself. That is peach a Prefildent, but I did take an sume. We do not hate President Trump, bnt wrong. and it is an impeachable of oath to k:eev the Republic. For our fense. children and our grandchildren, we we do know that President Trump will continue to threaten the Nation's secu Then, when CongreRs exercised our should do nothing less. One day, I will constitutional cluty to investigate tell my grandson that I stood up for rity, democracy, and. constitutional system if he is a.llowed to remain in of these wrongdoings. he obstructed the our democra<:y. investigation every step of the way. I will vote ·'yes" to impeach the fice. That threat is not hypothetical. That is also wrong, and it is also an President Trump haR I)ersigted, dur President. ing this impeachment inquiry, in solie impeachable oifenRe. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam In our country, no one is above the i ting foreign pow em to investigate his Speaker. I yield 1-2/3 minutes to the political opponent. law. That includes the President of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. The President steadfastly insists United States. GROTH:VIA;;). Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I that he did nothing· wrong and is free to do it all ag•ain. That threatens our Speaker, I yield H".il minutes to the g·en thank the gentleman for yielding-. Madam Speaker. I woul<1 like to ad next election as well as our constitu tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. tional democracy. KBLLY). dress why we are here. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Madam We are certainly not here because of a misquoted phone call in July or 2019. the gentleman from California (Mr. Speaker. December is such a great MCNBRNBY). month, and there are so many gTea.t The Washington Post ran an article, headlined., ·'The Campaign to Im:Dea.oh Mr. MCNERNEY. Madam Speaker, dates in December. We talk a.bout the the House of Re:presentatives. the 1,)80- wonderful things that have happened in President Trump Has Begun.'' the day he wa,s sworn in. ple's House, is vested by the Constitu Decembers of the vaRt. tion with the power of impeachment to In adtlition to ChristmaR being some The gentleman from Maryland who spoke earlier today called for impeach balance the power of the Presidency. thing we <:elebrate, the BostOn Tea Without this eRsential duty, the Presi Party took :Dlace in December. .Also, on ment 2 days before President Trump was sworn in. dent could exploit his sacred office December 7, 1941. a horrific act ha:D without any reg-ard for the law. pened in the United States, one that The gentleman from Texas was intro ducing impeachment resolutions 2 On January 3. 2019, every Member of President Roosevelt said: This is a date the House swore an oath to defend the that ·'will live in infamy.'' years ago and said: President Trump should. be impeached so he can't get re Constitution, and t,his week, we are Today. December 18, 2019. is another being: a.eked to do just that. date that will live in infamy. Just be elected. When allegations arose that the cause you hate the President of the This impeachment is not about any thing that happened on a _phone cA.11. President tried to coerce a foreign gov United States, and you can find no ernment to help undermine the 2020 other reason other than the fact that This impeachment is about what Presi dent Trump has done. election, the House carried out its duty l'Oll are so blinded by yonr hate that The people in this country who are to investigate a potential abuse of you H12156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 It is in regard to this impeachment self-determination has been the shining stand Uy this man; how they put blind, process that George Washing·ton fore Leacon Ly which our Nation has char-:. partisan loyalty or fear of Donald warned us as a nation at this moment tered its course over the last tvrn cen Trump above their duty to defend the in history. When political parties "may turies. Constitution; how they made absurd now and then answer popular end8, From a new democratic experiment partisan arguments and tried to ob they are lik1:,ly, in the com·se of time struggling to survive to the greatest struct these proceeUing·s: and how. in and thing·s. to become potent eng•ines Na.tion on Earth, America haR been stead of puR-hing back when their party hy which cunning, ambitious. a.Il<:1 un powered. over the years, not by govern fell under the dark spell of vrincipled men" and women "Will be ment, but by the ingenuity, the brav authoritarianism, they embraced it as enabled to subvert the :Dower of the ery, and the faith of its people, con if the Constitution. the rule of law, and people to usurp for themselves the fident in their place as one nation our oath of office mean nothing·. r0ins of government. " under God, indivisible, with liberty and Madam Speaker, for our future gen How wise he was. justice for all. erations, our children. the judgment of Vote --no" on thts assault to our Re So it is we the people who determine history, let me be clear: I stand with public. the Constitution. and ag-aim>t our President. not we the Judiciary our Constitution, with the rule of law President Trump. Committee nor we the CongTeBH. The and our democracy. I will Le voting Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, John Constitution is clear. It is only when "yeR·' to impeach Donald J. Trump, Adams warned in a letter to Thomas we see clear proof of the impeachallle Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam JefferHon that these risks are unavoid offenses outlined in Article IL Section Speaker, I yield HS minutes to the gen able and miRht sometimes overlap: 4, treason, bribery, or other high tleman from Texas (Mr. WILLIAMR). "You are apprehensive of foreign inter crimes and misdemeanorR. that we are Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I ference, intrig•ue, influence. So am I to challenge the decision of the voters. thank the gentleman for yielding' me hut. as often as elections happen. the break the figurative gla.RR, and pull the time. danger of foreig•n influence recurs ... emerg·ency rip cord that is impeach Today's vote to impeach the duly Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to ment. elected President of the United StateR the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. We do not have that proof today. is truly hfatori<..:aL However, its unique LAWRE!'JCE). Thomas Jefferson said: "I know no safe place in history is not for the reasons Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Speaker, depository of the ultimate powers of the Democratic Party and their main today, history is beinK written. The the society but the people themselves: stream media overlordK are so des facts are conclusive: The President at and if we think them not enlightened perately trying to convey. tempted to use the power of the power enough to exerciRe their control with a Today, will be remembered as the wholesome discretion, the remedy is da.y that the Democrats, claiming· a ful Ofti.ce of President to force Ukraine fa.lAe moral supremacy over the deBire to influence our 2020 election. not to take it from them. but to inform In the process. President Trump jeop their discretion by education:· of the American people, executed a de But rather than educate, this major liberate and orcheRtrated plan to over ardized our national security and with ity has chosen today to ol.JfuBcate with held vital military assistance intended turn a Presidential election. hearsay, innuendo. and speculation. It will be the first time in history to prevent further Russian aggression that a party paraded out their Ivy in the region. And when history looks back on this shameful period for this House. it will League academics to explain to 31 However. as our committee:-,-includ judg·e it for what it truly is: the ug1y States and almost 63 million people ing the Committee on Oversight and hijacking-, hy the majority, of our Con that their voice should not be heard Reform, of which I am a member stitution a.nd the powers it so solemnly and why their votes should not be sought to interview additional vvit entrusts to us to engage in a blatantly counted.. nesSes and obtain docnment::;, the political procege desig·ned to finally I pray for our Nation every day. but President or December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE H12157 with a legitimate impeachment in Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam J. Trump, and I urge my colleagues to quiry, the President will not only be Speaker. I yield lV2 minutes to the gen do the same. above the law, he vvi.11 be beyond jus tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. JOYCE). Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam tice. We cannot allow any r,erRon to be Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Ma.clam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I beyond jm-1tice in thfa country. Speaker. I rise today on this dark day may consume. In the name of democri.CY, on behalf in the United States House of Rep The chairman hears us. He doesn't of the Republic, and for the sake of the resentatives to voice my o:p:position to want to acknowledge it. When you many who are suffering·, I will vote to the shameful impeachment process have nothing but a process that was impeach, and I encourage my col that has occurrelt in the people ·s completely amuck. you talk about leag·ues to do so as well. House. vrocesB. I have already debunked the No one is beyond justice in this coun Some of my colleagues on the other !acts man:v times. Let's do it one more trv side of the aisle do not like President time. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Trump. We know this because they No pressure by either Mr. Trump or Speaker, I also remind my chairman proudly boasted about their intention Mr. Zelensky. In fact. what really jrn,t that the impeachment vms not to be to impeach our President before he was horrifies me is they continue to p,ay used between election cycles to defeat even sworn into office. that Mr. Zelensky, who 1s the :3Upposed a sitting President who you think will Out of disdain for the President and victim here. said many times there was be reelected. for those of us who elected him, the no pressure. The Democrats are calling Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to House of RepreRentatives is considering him a liar and weakening him in his the g-entleman from Florida (Mr. two Articles of Impeachment that are own country. That is deplorable. Bl'CHA~AN). so very weak that they even fail to in There is no conditionality in the clude speeific crimes. transcript or conditionality after that. □ 1500 Five meetings prove that. They were Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I The people that I represent in south central a.nd southwe::1-tern Pennsylvania all high-level meeting·s. No condition will vote today ag·ainst both Articles of ality. Two of those meetings were after Impeachment because they are without know the truth. The American people know the truth. This impeachment cir the Ukrainians actually knew of the merit and setting a dangerous :prece :possibility that aid was being held. dent for our country. This :political cus has never been about the facts. They have not ever adUressed the vendetta is an abuse of the im:peach ThiR process has alwa.yg been about truthM and the facts. After there was ment :process and would subvert the seeking· reveng'e for the Presitlent·s nothing done to get the money, g·uesg votes of 63 million Americans. election in 3)16 anll attempting to pre what? They got the money. That is the Just bec.:ause the President's o:ppo vent him from winning again in 2020. fact. That is what they don't want to nents are afraid that he will win reelec Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly deal with. That is where we are today. tion is no excuse for wea:ponizing· im oppose this partisan and shamefUl ef So let's continue to see how the sham peachment. No President 1n history has fort to im:peach our democratically and was perpetrated. That is what many of been impeached 10 months liefore an duly elected President. our Members are talking about. election. Madam Spea.ker. for the sake of our Madam Speaker. I yield B'!.i minutes Elections are the heart of our democ Nation. I urg'e my colleagues to join to the gentleman from Michig'an (Mr. racy. Our Founding Fathers devised a with me and vote '·no" on the Articles BERGMAN). simple way to remove a President if of Impeachment. Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, I you disagree with him. It is called an Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. all rise today in opposition to the Articles election, and we have one coming up in we keep hearing from the other side of Impeachment ag•ainst President less than a year. are attacks on the vrocess and ques Trump. I believe all American people Madam Speaker, let's let the people tions of our motives. \Ve do not hear. need to be looked in the eye by all decide this next November. because we cannot hear. l)ecause they their Representatives. Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I cannot articulate a real defense of the Today is the culmination of the yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman President's actions. Democrats' 3-year-long quest to from Michigan (Ms. TLAIB). Madam 8:peaker, I yield 1 minute to delegitimize the President. This has Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise the gentlewoman from Massachusetts been in the works Rince November 2016 today in support of impeachment. I (Ms. PRESSLEY). and was all but promised when the learn so much every single day from Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, I Democrats took the majority. my residents at home. Their common rise today to protect our democracy. This sham process began without a sense and understanding of what is Today, we take a stand against corrup formal vote in the House and was con right and. wrong is centered on why tion and abuses of vower. tinued over these past several months. they oppose any person using the most What we are doing here today iR not willfully trampling on decades of bipar powertal position in the world for per only patriotic. it is uniquely American. tisan precedent~no due :orocess: sonal gain. America is a Rtory of ordinary people closed-door de:positiomL even though We honor our veterans in this Cham confronting abuses of power with a nothing in this investigation was clas ber almost on a daily basis. Do we ever steadfast pursuit or jnHtice. sified; and leaking only details that fit follov,' their lead, where we serve the Throughout our hiRtory. the op their narrative. people of the United States and uphold vressed have been relegated to the mar If this i:m·t partisan politics, I don't the Constitution, not as Republicans or gins by the powerruI. and each time we know what is. Holding our elected offi Democrats. but as American.~? have foUR'ht back, deliberate in our ap cials accountable is a job I take ex We should learn rrom their sense of proach, clear-eyed. tremely· seriously. but the impeach U.uty and resvon~ibility to country and Each g·eneration has fought for the ment votes today represent the worst democracy, not poli tica.l party. Doing :preservation of our democr~cy, and of Washing·ton. D.C .. yet another rea nothing here. Ma.dam Speaker. is not that is what brings us to the House son my constituents are so disillu an option. Looking a.way from these floor today. Efficient and effective in sioned with the proceBs and dis crimes against our country is not an the pursuit of our truth. avpointed Uy the 116th CongTees. option. CongTess has done its due diligence. Michigan's First District sent me to This is about :protecting the future of Today we send a dear message. We \vill WashinKton to get things done, to get our Nation and. our democracy from not tolerate abuses of power from the the government off their backs, and to corruption, abuse of power. criminal President of the United States of help rural Michiganians and other peo c.:overups, and bribery, America. The future of this Nation ple around the country keep more of Madam S:peak:er. this vote is also for rests in our hands. their hard-earned currency, not to im my sons a.nd the future of so many ~en Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy peach our duly elected PresiUent. erations. I urge my colleagues to please heart. but a ref:mlved one, and because Madam Speaker. I urge my col vote .. yes" on these Articles or Im I believe our democracy is worth fight leagues to vote ag:ainst the Articles of peachment. ing· for, I will vote to impeach Donald Impeachment. I 26634 H12158 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I our Attorney General, The Ukrainians vote your character. That is how you yield 1 minute to the g-entlewoman were already getting the military hard are going to be judg·ed, and that is how from California. ~Ms. BARRAGAN). ware. and they g·ot the a.ssistance we are all going to be judged. Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, it money and the meeting they desired. Mr. COLLINS of Georg•ia. Madam is \Yi th a solemn sense of duty that I These are not crimes. These are dis Speaker, I inquire how much time is riAe today in surrport of impeachment. a.g-reements over foreign policy and the remaining. As thiA Cha.mber debates two Articles fact that this President is conducting The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen of Impeachment against the President it. tleman from Georgia has 1 hour and for his abuse of power arnl obstruction If it weren't so sad, it would be 44½ minutes remaining. The gentleman of Congress. I want history to know laughable, Madam Speaker. My col from New York has 1 hour and 47½ that I AtooU up to say tha.t I stand for leag·ueH are not driven by a quest for minutes remaining·. the Constitution and our demor:racy. facts or truth; they are driven by their Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak When my immigrant mom became a partisan animus and a timetable. These er. I y1eld H":2 minutes to the gentleman United States citizen. she took an oath are the reckless and irresponsible acts from Colorado (Mr. TIPTON). of allegiance to our country and Con of elitists in the swamp. and they un Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise stitution. 'When I stood on this floor as dermine the fabric of our Republic. in strong opposition to this partisan a new Member of OongTess. I took an Madam Speaker. I urge a "no" vote. impeachment process. oath to uphold and defend our Con Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I Make no miRtake. this process did ;;titution. yield myself such time as I may con not begin with the whistleblower re The President abused his :power when sume to remind the g·entleman that l)ort, In fact, impeachment efforts he used his official office and power to there fa, in fact, extensive direct evi beg-a.n shortly after the President was ask a forei_gn government to interfere dence-inclmling the President's own elected. The theatrics and political in our elections. When he asked a for words and actions-which is corrobo posturing that have ensued are not eign government for a personal favor to rated and supported by indirect and pa.rt of an effort that this botly is actu dig up dirt on his political opponent RO circumstantial evidence. ally pursuing to preserve checks and he could cheat, the President got The record leaves the following key balances, rather. thiR proceaR echoes caug;ht, and then he tried to cover it facts imlisputa.ble: President Trump's the ealls by some who refuse to accept up. personal lawyer. Rudy Giuliani. pushed the 2016 election results. Today we say no more. Today we say Ukraine to inveRti,Kate Vice President Neither of the articles receiving a we will not allow this President to Biden and a delmnked conspiracy the vote justify the removal of the Presi abuse his power and endanger our na ory about the 2016 election~. dent from office. The first art,icle sug tional security. I stand to say that no President Trump directed U.S. offi geRts that the President pressured a one is above the law. not even this cials and President Zelensky himself to foreig·n government to be able to as.sist President. work with Mr. Giuliani to fulfill his de in an upcoming election. Ukraine re Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam mands. President Trump withheld critical ceived its aid without a prearrang·ed Speaker. I yield l½ minutes to gen agreement. proving this article to be tleman from PennHylvania (Mr. military aid for Ukraine. And President Trump stonewalled an unsubstantiated allegation. PERRY). The second article is premised that Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, since Congress' investig'ation to cover up his misconduct. obstruction occurred when the White before inaw~·uration. the press and Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to House ignored subpoenas issuett by the Members of this Oongres~ have been for the g'entleman from Illinois (Mr. House. Our Fe(lera1 courts are the ulti impeachment. Members refused to at CASTB-K). mate arbiters of these decisions. In tend the inauguration. They called for Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Madam fact. previous administrations, Repub impeachment. and they voted for im Speaker. this should not be a partisan lican and Democrat both. have dealt peachment without any evidence. They vote. This is a vote about America. It with these issues and claimed exeeu voted for impeachment creating and is a vote about our democracy and our tive privilege. manufacturing e\lidence. oath to the Constitution. Madam Speaker, the articles that are Recall and votes of no confidence are We all took an oath to proteGt. the before this House are unsubstantiated. not included in our Constitution for a Constitution a.gainst all enemies, for I intend to vote ··no'' on these articles. reason. Our system demands evidenee eign and domestic. We all know that and I encourage my colleagues to do of high erimes and miRdemeanorR. If what President Trump did was wrong. the same. such evidence existed, there ,vould be We all know it is wrong- to withhold Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I an agreement in this Chamber, but foreign aid for a political favor. We yield 1 minute to the gentleman from there is not. There is not an agreement know it is wrong to ignore congres Arizona (Mr. GALLEGO). becam1e there is no evidence. sional subpoenas. We know it is wrong Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, Ma.Uison and Hamilton warned us to default to silly partisan and process today I will vote to impeach President that this might happen and that im arguments rather than to rise and de Donald Trump for abuse of power and peachment would veer toward politic:al fend this beautiful. but all too fragile, obRtruction of Congress. fa.ctions, and that is exactly vvhat this democracy. Those still defending the President's is. Thi;; is bitterly and nakedly par When those in eleeted power abuse ac.tions are desperately grasping at tisan. their position for perHona.l advantage, straws while living in an alternate uni My colleagues on the other side of it is on us to somlierly uphold and de verse where facts do not exist. the aisle have made a mockery of this fend the respomtib111ty that the Found O 1.515 process and this government. They de ers bestowed on us. R:DiHe the Pre.!'li!lent and are themselves So. when my colleague talks about To those still unwilling- to search abusing the 11ower of their office all to partisanship, I wouh\ remind him of their souls, ask yourselves: Would you settle the :political score they were un those great words of Lincoln. I am support a Democratic President using able to reHolve at the ballot box. l)ara.l)hra.Ring him Rlig·htly: taxpayer dollars to pressure a foreig·n Mada.m Speaker, they hope that if When one party would inflame par g·overnment to investigate a Repub they repeat them over and over and tisanship rather than let the Nation lican political opponent liased on false stay on message that you will believe survive. I am proud to be the party Russian constiiracy theories? their charge;;. Repeating- things that that would accept partisanship rather Of course not. That is absurd. are not true does not make them true. than let the Na.tion perish. Any President who does that has The call record between the two So in this moment the answer is abused the power of the Presidency for PresidentR wa:,; clear: Pre:,;ident Trump clear, not because we want to impeach personal gain and undermined our most was interested in getting to the bottom but because we muRt. sacred tradition: our elections. of what happened in the 2016 election. So. Mat1.am Speaker, when you vote In a few hours. every Member will He asked the Ukrainians to work v.rith in a few hours. don't vote your party; make a choice. Will you fall into the 26635 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12159 age-old political trap of thinking' blind eign interference in our elections. This It was abuse of :Dower by the Presi partisanship is all that mattere1 Will is the very definition of the willful sus dent to ask a foreign nation to inter you vote to defend the Constitution pension of d!Rbelief. They know in their fere in our election to benefit his per and our democracy so that President hearts that what the PreRident has sonal and political interests and to Trump and every future President will done is dee:DlY wrong. They know that uondition bil)a.rtisan, uongressiona.lly know that they are not above the law they would. vote without hesitation to a.pproved a.id on that interference. and will be held accountable for their impeach a Democratic President who Unchecked., these actions could lead actionR? had done these thing·s. us down a path that will unravel the I have made my choice. I hope every I rem.ind all Americans, the Presi fabric of our Nation. Member puts the c1efenRe of our Nation dent did not rebut the facts-the many, Madam Speaker, I am saddened we first and joins me. many facts-which have led to these are here today. but in the interest of Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Articles of Impeachment today. defendin.g· our Nation, I will vote for Speaker. I yield 1% minutes to the gen For the sake of our democracy, our the Articles of Impeachment. tleman from Nebraska (Mr. SMITH). Constitution, and our country. we must Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam do the right thing' and vote to impeach Speaker. I yield HS minutes to the gen Speaker, I rise today to speak out President Trump. tleman from Texas (Mr. Rew). against this attem:rit to remove the Mr. COLLINS of Gaor!l,ia. Madam Mr. ROY. Ma.dam Speaker, our duly elected Pr~Hident of the United Speaker, I am just amazed. by what the Founders intentionall:v did not em States. chairman just said. If it was obvious brace recalls or votes of no confidence. Impeachment is importantly estab that he violated the bribery statute Rather, we demand from Congress evi lished in our Constitution. The im clearly, then why didn't we add. it as an dence of high crimes and mis peachment of a President has only hap Article of Impeachment? demeanors. l)ened twice in our country·s 243-year The reason why? It didn ·t. \Vhile my colleagues are free to dis Madam Speaker, I yield 1½ minutes history. Yet, today. for highly :DOlitica.l like the President, aml while they may l)Url)oseR, the House majority iA trying to the g·entleman from Mississippi (Mr. reasonably view the infamous phone to remove President Trump rrom office Gt:EST). ca.11 a.nd negotiations with Ukrainians Mr. GUEST. Madam Speaker, Article as somethi~· less than perfect, they based on secondhand, indirect ac II, Section 4 of the United States Con~ counts. are not free to impeach for something stitution states that the President of less than a high crime and mis The Articles of Impeachment we are the United States may be removed voting on today offer no evidence of a demeanor. from office for treason, bribery, or high In just over 10 months, though, the crime but. instead, are l)Url)osely broad crimeR and miBdemea.nors. to O.t the majority's narrative. people are free to decide, and we should As a former l)rosecutor, I am con let them. Les~ than 1 year until the next Presi fident that no court would accept these Madam Speaker. the eyes of the dential election, we are being· asked to Articles of Impeachment as ha1ring met world are upon UR. The press gallerieR override the choice of the American the standards set forth by our Found are full. Our floor is filled with Mem people. This lopsided, hyperpartisan, ing Fathers. The iml)eachment articles berR. When will we give the world biased impeachment process has been rely almost exclusively on hearsay and Romething better than this? predetermined as an outcome from the O:Dinion testimony. a.nd. they present no My colleag'neR wax eloquent about very beginning. Uirect evidence or wrong·doing·. the Oorn~titutions they found. under This is an unfortunate day in the his As a former district attorney, I am mothballs. Where is the respect for the tory of our great country. We must dismayed that the Democrats have sub Constitution when the :DeO:Dle's House hope this political game does not set a mitted Articles of Impeachment daily refuges to do its actual job while precedent of which to follow in the fu against a sitting President using· cir shredding· federalism and limited gov ture. cumstantial evidence that fails to offer ernment? Surely, there will be disagreements proof of an impeachable offense. Today. in Mexico, a young g•irl will between the President and Congress for Additionally. the charg·es levied be abused while being· trafficked to many yea.rs to come. Instead of unnec against the President in the ArticleR of ward our open borders. while some yell esBarily dividing our country. as we are Impeachment lack historical precedent ''kids in cages'· and play race politics seeing today, we should be looking at and are motivated by pure political in the false name of compassion. wa.y8 to bring· our country tog·ether. rea:::,on. If the House of Representatives Today, in Nev,r York. a young mother Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. l)a.sses the Articles of Impeachment, will be coerced into abortion by tax President Trump's actions are both im the Democrats will have set a dan payer-funded Planned Parenthood, l)ea.cha.ble and criminal. Although the gerous l)recedent by undoing America's while we allow the genocide of the un violation of the Federal criminal stat vote for President llecause a single born in the false name of choice. ute is neither necessary nor sufficient party d.isag-reed with the 2016 Presi Today. across America, diabetics will to justify im:Deachment. President dential election results. strug·gle to afford insulin due to a Trump's conduct violated the Federal Madam 8:Dea.ker, I urge my col healthcare syHtem ravished by ~·overn antibribery statute very clearly. leagues to vote "no'' on the Articles of ment and insurance bureaucrats em Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Impeachment. powered in the false name of coverage. the gentleman from Virg·inia (Mr. Mr. NADLER. Madam Sl)eak:er, I Today. our children inherit $100 mil BRYBR). yield 1 minute to the distinguished lion of debt an hour, borrowed in the Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, today, gentleman from California (Mr. THOMP false name of what government can I vote to impeach President Donald SON). provide. Trump for abuse of l)ower and ohstruc Mr. THOMPSON of California. It is this conduct by CongreHs failing tion of Congress. I don't hate the Presi Madam Speaker, I find no pleasure to do itR job:::; that should be im dent, but I love my country. and I have coming· to the floor today to consider peached. One might ask if America no other choice. iml)eachment. I ran for Congress to would be better off taking· the first 435 Voting for theAe Articles of Impeach represent my community and to serve names out of the phonebool,:: to rep ment iR the only moral course of ac the country I loYe. resent us in the United States House tion, the only way to honor our oath of .A:s a combat veteran and having tha.n what is on dis:Dla.y here today. office. ::c;erved 8 years on the Intelligence Com Today is not a tla.rk day tlecauRe the I have no doubt that the votes I cast mittee. I understand the threat that American people know this: America is today will stand the test of time. This foreign actors can play in our elec great. Washington is broken. And we has nothing to do with the 2016 elec tions. Every elected official must dedi are tak:ing our country back tions. cate themselves to protecting our de Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I I am so disappointed that my Repub mocracy. No one should invite a for yield 1 minute to the distinguished lican friends approve of the Prefildent's eign country to interfere with our most gentlewoman from California (Ms. abuses of power and solicitation of for- sacred act of voting. MATSl'l). 26636 H12160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE December 18, 2019 Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise Mr. GARAMENDI. Maclam Speaker. am disappointed in a broken and par today with a heavy heart. I came to imr>eaching a President is one of the tisan process that has consumed Honse Congress to Rerve the great rieoJ.)le of most solemn and conRequential deci Democrats. Sacramento and to build a l)etter fu sionR the United States Congress can We were told this investigation was ture for our children and gran December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12161 Your whole case is sort of destroyed the America we would be proud to have out. That is exactly what is being done if you are coercinJi:' somebody if there our future ~.-enerations inherit. And here. was no pressure felt: yet, ·we don't seem that is why, today, I must vote to im And for tho::;e who say we don't ad to get that part on this floor debate peach the President of the United dress the defenses of !act. here you go. to H12162 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 darn shame that we have found our Those facts could not be more clear: I would cast in my tenure as a Rep selves in this position today. The President committed no crime, resentative. It isn't a,sking too much. Every time I step into this Chamber, broke no laws, and there was no quid but, no, they want to get out of here I am humbled to be serving in the pro quo. before ChriRtmas, so it is okay to rush greatest legislative body in the history I look forward to doing the right the l)l'OC038. of the world. However. it is deeply dis thing·. representing the Hoosiers in my I am ashamed to be t)art of this appointing- that the hy:perpa.rtisanRhi:D district, and voting agaill8t this im toda.y. even as I vote against the im that has gripped this country has made tJeachment charade. I stand with Presi l)ea.chment. My uonstituents are call its way into this Chamber. dent Trump and look forward to pass ing every day ma.d as hell. saying we I pride myself on being a consensus ing policieR that continue to move our should. be ashamed that this historic builder who works across the aisle to country forward. Chamber has fallen so low as to allow get things done for the American peo something like this to happen. □ 154/i ple. but when it comes to the matter of Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I impeachment. I have no doubt that the Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may con entire process has been politically mo yield 1 minute to the gentleman from sume. tiva.ted. Oregon (Mr. BLUMKNAUJm). Madam Bl)ea.ker, my friend, the gen There is absolutely no evidence that Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker. tleman from Georgia. has a tagline President Trump committed an im thanks to the hard work of our com about the clock and the calendar. peachable offense, which is why I will mittees and the leadership of the Madam Speaker, this is not about the vote "no." Speaker, we found overwhelming evi clock and the calendar. It is about cor Thi::. whole procesR has been a :Dloy to dence Trump invited foreign interests ruption and the Constitution. It is circumvent the will of the :DeO:Dle by re to interfere in our elections for his per about a President who abuses power to moving a duly elected President or the sonal gain. and then he took: nnl)rece coerce an ally to intervene in our elec United States. It is a national disg,rn.ce. dented efforts to cover it up. otistruct tion and l)Oses a continuing threat to and it setR a dangerous :Drecedent. ing Congress. the integ-rity of our next election. I am proud of the courage of new The PreRident'~ defense is built on But we are a great nation, and we three pillars. and when those three pil iJl.1.11 survive this indignity. Let's put Members to do their duty, so that. for the first time in his privileged life. lars fall, the entire defense of the this ugly chapter behind us, Madam President collapses. Speaker, and get to work. Donald Trump iJl.ill be finally held ac countable for his reckless personal be First, they claim there was no quid Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker. I pro quo. Well. the evidence is undis yield 1 minute to the gentleman from hav1.or and business pra.ctices. I vote proudly for these two Artides puted. President Trump conditioned a Mississippi (Ml'. THOMPS001). '\Vhite House visit and military aid on Mr. THOMPSON of Mississi:ppi. of Impeachment. And then I hol)e the House retains control of the a.rtiele8- President Zelensky's public announce Madam Speaker. the question tha.t will ment of the investigations. Ambas Le answered today is: Will MemberR until the 8:peaker and Leader SCHUMER can negotiate an agreement on process sador William Taylor wrote at the honor their oath to uphold the Con time, "I think it's crazy to withhold stitution? and witnesses from McCo~NI~LL so that security assistance for hel:D with a po DemocratR are not RUl)porting im the next stage will be open and fair so litical campaign.'' peachment based on a tJOlicy disag-ree that Donald Trump will ultimately be A reporter asked White House Chief ment or the election results of 2016. No held accountable. of Staff Mick Mulvaney if there had one is above the law. The President Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Spealrnr, I been a quid pro quo here, and he re must be held acuountable. yield 1¼ minutes to the gentleman plied, "We do that all the time. Get A constitutional :Drocees is not a from 01::lahoma (Mr. Knrn HERN). over it.'' The President refused to help hoax or a witch hunt. PreRident Trump Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Pub our ally until he g;ot a personal polit just o:p:poseR it. No one 18 above the lic hearings began November 13. Less ical favor, and so the first defense falls. law, not even President Donald J. than a month b.ter. Speaker PELOSI an Second, the minority ulaims that the Trump. nonnced Articles of Impeachment on Ukrainians didn't know about the hold. The President abuRed hiR power by December 5, saying the investigation The evidence. agR.in, is undisputed. pressuring Ukraine to help his reelec had revealed enough information to Ukraine knew about the hold on the tion campaign. Impeachment is a con move forward with impeachment. military assiRtance \Yi thin hours of the stitutional remedy for these actiom1. Let·s think about that 22-day inves President's July 215 call. Laura Cooper Trump betrayed his oath, betrayed tigation. Six of those days were week of the Department of Defense testified the Constitution, and undermined the ends where hearings weren·t hap under oath that on Jul:v 2fi the State integTity of our elections. Those who pening, and the House waB not in ses Department sent two emails to the De are against the impeachment inquiry sion. Seven of those clays were week partment of Defense notifying them are willing to turn a blind eye to con days that the House was in recess, in that Ukrainian officials were asking, Rtitutiona.l •violations by the President. cluding the week or Thanksg'iving. Two Where is the aid? The Ukrainians un As a nation, we have no other alter of those days were fly-in days, where derstood exactly what President native. We must t)rotect our Constitu Cong-ress doesn't hold hearings. So out Trump was asking'. He wanted a per tion and the United StateR or America. of the 22 da.ys, just 7 days were used. to sonal :political favor before the aid was In his own wordR: "No intellig'ent investigate, debate. and vote on the released. And so the second defense :Derson believes what he is saying." im:Deachment of the duly elected leader falls. Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I of our country. Third. and finally. my Republican yield 1 ½ minutes to the gentleman No wonder my constituents are friends say the aid was released. But from Indiana (Mr. BAIRD). n:pset; 7 days to impeach the President the aid was released only after the Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, the to or the United States. Not to mention President g·ot caug·ht. This House tality of this process is just another re that this 7-day investigation uncovered launched its investigation on Sep mirnler that my collea.gues across the zero facts in support of impeachment. I tember 9. The hold on the aid was lifted aisle are more focused on politics than spent every minute I had in there as an on September 11. This is not evidence l)olicy. The American people deserve observer of these hearings, and all I of inno<:ence. It is evidence of culpa better. Our Republic deRerves better. learned iR if you hate - someone so bility. The evidence is overwhelming. The brave men and women of our :,1trong'ly and enough people a.g·ree with And when the President got caught. he military, myself included. have fought :von, that is grounds enough to be im did everything in his power to :prevent for freedom and democracy all around l)ea.chec1. the American l)eo:ple from learning- the the world. Yet. today, my colleag'ues We asked for 12 hourR of debate, the truth about his actions by d.e!'ying the are eroding those freedoms through a same amount of time allotted to Presi congressional investigation, by order process that ignored facts, abuRed dent Clinton's impeaehment, 12 hours ing that all requests and demands for power, and was shrouded in secrecy. of debate for possibly the biggest vote information be denied. 26639 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12163 With our national Recurity and the Intelligence Committee, will now serve hopes of defeating' Mr. Eiden in the 2020 int1::1grity of our election at risk. we as my H12164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 would like you to do us a favor, ing. "China should start an investiga script is out. Everybody can read it. though,., a.ml asked Ukraine to do two tion into the Bidens:· too. The American people can read it. There investigations to help his reelection ef President Trump sent his chief of is no conditionality or aid dif;cussed on forts in 2020. That wa.s July 2r:.. staff to the White House podium, and that call. The two principals on that And then we come to July 26, the day he told the world that, of course. they call. President Trump and President Gordon Sandland called President had linked aid to investigations, and Zelensky, have said there was no pres Trump on his cell phone from a res that we should just "get over it."' sure. President Zelensky has lla.eically taurant in Ukraine. Gordon Send.land, And even as these articles have made screamed from the rooftops on numer not :-:;ome anonymous ·'never Trump their wa.y to this House floor, the ous occasions that there was no pres er,·· but a million-dollar donor to the President'A. personal a.ttorney has con sure, no bribery. no quid pro quo. President's inauguration. and his hand tinued pursuing these sham investi.~'a. The Ukrainian Government g'◊t the picked ambassador to the European tions on behalf of his client, the Presi money and didn·t know the a.id was Union. dent. being paused, and no investigation was □ 1600 The President and his men 'L)lot on. announced and a meeting with the The danger persists. The riRk is real. What does President Trump ask President took place. and the aid was Our democracy i~ at peril. releaRed. Sandland? The day after this call, what But we are not without a remedy pre The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem does President Trump ask? What does scribed by the Founders for just these bers are once again reminded to ad the President want to know? Did he ask about Ukraine·s efforts to circumstances: impeachment. dress their remarks to the Chair. The only question iR thiR: Will we use Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I battle corruption? Of course not. Did it? Or have we fallen prey to another he aRk how the war with Russia was yield 11,,"z minutes to the gentleman evil that the FounderR fore\varned? The S~UTH). g·oing-? Not a chance. lrom Missouri (Mr, my friend. On the phone, his voice loud enough excess of factionalism, the elevation of Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam for others to hear. President Trump pa.rty over country. Speaker. I come from a State that asked Sondland. --so he is going' to do Many of my colleag·ues appea.r to raiHes corn and cotton. cocklelmrs and the inveRtigation?'' And the answer have made their choice: to protect the Democrats. was clear. Sondland assured Trump President, to enable him to be above Your frothy eloquence neither con that the Ukrainian president was the law, to empower this President to vinces nor satisfles me. •-going to do it" and that -'he would do cheat again ag long as it is in the serv I am from the Show Me State. You anything' you ask him to." ice of their party and their power. have to show me. Madam Speaker. I Ray to my col They have made their choice. despite The only thing that you all have leagues. if that wasn't telling enough, this President and the \Vl1ite House shown so far is that you are about to in a conversation that followed. an stonewalling every subpoena, every re impeach a duly elected President who American diplomat dining with quest for witnesses and testimony from has done nothing wrong. Sondland asked if it was true that this co-equal branch of government. Democrats are not impea.ching the President Trump didn't give a blank They hn.ve made their choice. know President because they are sea.red for about Ukraine. ing that to allow this President to ob our repulJlic or that he has committed Somliand agreed, Rayinl{. the Presi struct Congres.!'I will empower him and a crime; they are impeaching- him be dent cared only about "hig stuff." any other President that follows to be cause they fear the President·s policies The diplomat noted that there was as corrupt, as neg'lig·ent, or ag abusi've and how well they a.re working for the big stuff in Ukraine, like a vmr with of the power of the Presidency as they American people. Most of all, they fear Russia. choose. the eleution, beca.m'\e they know they And Sandland replied that the Presi They have ma,!e their choice, and I can't heat him. dent cared only about big stuff that believe they will rue the day that they In fact, one of my Democrat col benefits him personally, like the did. leagues is quoted as Rta.ting: ''I am con "Biden investigation that Mr. Giuliani When Donald J. Trump wa,s sworn in cerned if we don't impeach him, he will was pushing." on January :;;:o. 2017, he repeated these get reelected." In that short conversation, we words: "I do solemnly swear that I will This kind of rhetoric is disgusting. learned everything we need to know faithfully execute the Office of the Impeachment is not a political weap about the 45th President of the United President of the United States, and on. and any Member who votes for im States. He doesn't care about Ukraine will, to the best of my ability, rire peachment Rhoul<.l be ashame cl to<.lay. or the impact on our national security gerve, protect, and defencl the Com1titu You cannot undo the resultR or the caused l1y withholding military aid to tion or the United States." 2016 election simply because your that country fighting for its demo Has he lived up to that sacred oUliga flawed candidate did not win. cratic life. All that matters to this tion? Has he honored his oath of off'ice? And I thank God she didn't, President is \Vhat affects him person Has he preserved. protected. and de Over the last 3 yea.rs. unemployment ally: an investig'ation into his politica.l fended the Constitution of the United has dropped to the lowest point in i;i;·en rival and a chance to cheat in the next States? erations, we are seeing better trade election. The uncontested evidence provides ag:reernentg with our trading partners, AR ProfeRsor Gerhardt testified be the simple yet tragic answer: He has and record numbers of taxes and regu fore the Judiciary Committee 2 weeks not. lations that stifle economic growth a.go: "If what we are talking about is In America, no one is above the law. have been rolled back, all thanks to not impeachable. then nothing is im Donald J. Trump sacrificed our na President Trump's leadership and com peachable.·· tional security in an effort to cheat in mitment. Even as thi~ body uncovered the facts the next election, and for that and his The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of this Ukraine scheme, even as we continued efforts to seek foreign inter time of the gentleman has expired. opened an impeachment inquiry. even ference in our elections, he must be im Mr. ARMSTRONG. Maclam Speaker, I as we gathered evidence, President peached, yield an additional 15 Reconds to the Trump continued his effortH to seek Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Chair, I gentleman. foreign help in the next election. yield myself such time as I may con Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Madam --wen, I would think." he said from the sume. Speaker. this is very important. We White House lawn on October 3, "that, It is nice to see you here, Chairman shouldn't be surprfaed. DemocrRtR have if they are being honest about it. they SCHIFF. It would have been nfoe to have introduced Articles of Impeachment would start a major investigation into either you or the whistleblower present against five out of our last six Repub the Bidens. It is a very simple answer," in either the ,Judiciary or the Over lican Presidents. he said. Right hearin,g·s. They are the party of impeachment. And he made it dear it is an open in I think we are continuing to neglect The Democrats are the party of im vitation to other nations as well. say- the four key facts of this. The tran- peachment. 26641 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12165 The SPEAKER pro tempore, Once Madam Speaker, I yield 11/2 minutes I notice I have a new manager on the again, Members are admonished to ad to the g·entlema.n from Ohio (Mr. JOH>l" other side. who, as I came back in from dress their remarks to the Chair. so:,;). g·etting· a quick bite, I noticed g·ave an Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Madam eloquent defense of hie side of this 2 minutes to the gentleman from Cali Speaker, thiR is a sad day for America. story that we are telling. I just wish we fornia (Mr. 8\\'ALWELL). This partisan impeachment sham see ks could ha.ve had that same eloquent de Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, to disenfranchise 63 million American fense l)efore the Judiciary Committee. Donald Trump is using the Presidency voters. where he could have been asked ciues to put his own personal gain above our I want to use my time to call on this tions instead of just giving- one side. national interests. Chamber, for Me-mberH to rise and ob Madam Speaker. I yield 1½ minutes He is using our taxl)ayer dollars and serve a moment of silent reflection, to to the gentleman from Pennsy1 vania foreign interference to cheat the next g'ive every Member here the chance to (Mr. KELLER). election, and it jeopardizes our na pause for a moment and rnmember the Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, today tional security and integrity at the voices of the 63 million American vot will forever be remembered as a stain ballot box. on our Republic. ers the Democrats today are wanting· These impeachment proceedings are Not a single fact in this case is seri to silence. ously in dispute. Madam Speaker. disenfranchising 63 not hased upon facts, evidence, reason, I ask my colleag·ues: \Vho sent his or any inaJ,)propriate or impeachable million voters gives me 63 million rea actions Uy our President. Instead, the riersonal lawyer to Ukraine to inves sons to vote ·'no". and I urge my col actions being taken by those favoring· tigate his political rival? Who fired an leagues to do the same. impeachment are a J,)roduct of their ambassador who stood in his way? Who Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield disdain for President Tn1mp, his Amer conditioned a White House meeting on 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from ica. First agenda, a.nd. particularly. a investigations that only persona.Hy Alabama (Ms. SEWELL). disdain by the other party for the 63 benefited him and not the national in Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam million Americam1 who elected him as terest? Who cut off military aJd to an Speaker. it is with a heavy heart and a President. ally that desperately needed it? Who profound sense of the gravity of this Ag•ain, these Articles of Impeach :tn·essure!l President Zelenst:y to con moment that I rise today in support of ment are not based on any fads but, duct those investigations? Who stood. the impeachment of President Donald rather, on hearsay, pre3umptions. in on the White House lawn and asked not J. Trump. nuendo, and feelings. feelings by Demo only Uk:raine to inv0J::1tig-ate his rival, To be clear, I did not run for Con crats and career lJureaucrats who haze but also China? Who has buried evi gress to impeach a President. wanted President Trump removed from dence and blocked witnesses from t,es I come to work every day on behalf of office since the day he was elected. tifying? And who is still today sending the hardworking: people of Alabama's In defense or the Constitution, I urge his personal lawyer to Ukraine to dig Seventh Congres3iona1 District. all Members to OJ.)pose both Article3 of up dirt and rig an election? But the factR are uncontested. The Impeachment. It is unclear who will The answer to all of these questions truth is clear. And I have been left no judge those voting for impeachment is President Donald Trump. other choice. today more harshly: history or voters. This is a crime spree in progress. but AR a member of the Intelligence I want Democrats voting for im we know how to stop it: courage. Committee, I sat in shock, in awe as peachment today to know that I will be Yes, this investig'a.tion has shown us witness after witness came forward, praying for them from the Gospel of how corrupt PreRident Trump is, but it their stories painting a clear picture of Luke. the 23rd chapter, verse 34: "And has also shown us the courag-e of some the President's abuse of power. Jesus said. ·Father, forgive them. for of our fellow patriotic civil servant::s, they know not what they do.•'· who have used their courage to not □ 1615 Mr. SCHil<'F. Madam Speaker. I yield only stand up around the world to ex They testified that the President had myself such time as I may consume. tingui8h corruption, but also to extin direct orders to withhold vital military Madam Speaker, my collea.gues have guish it at the White House. aid for Ukraine and a White House visit referred. to patriotic Americans who How so? Well, my colleagues argue: in exchange for investigations into the testified before the Intelligenee Com '·No harm, no foul. Ukraine got the Bidens. mittee as career bureaucrats, I want to aid.'' To date, all the military aid has not remind people just who those career been released, and there still has been bureaucrats are. Wrong-. Trump cheated. Patriots They are people like Ambassador Bill caught him. Then Ukraine got the aid. no White House meeting. The bottom line is clear. President Taylor, who ha.H served this country for Standing' up. it turns out. vmrks. deoa.des. He graduated top in his class Now is the time to summon the cour Trump endangered our national secu rity and the very essence of our democ at West Point, served. durin.g' Vietnam age of those patriots and to summon in combat, and earned a Bronze Sta.r. the courage that they showed against racy for his own personal political gain. Then, President Trump soug·ht to They are people like Colonel Donald Trump. Vind.man. who served in Iraq and If they can risk their careers. even cover it up by ;:;ubverting the oversight earned a Purple Heart. their lives, to do the rig-ht thing. can authority of CongTess, They are people like Ambassador my colleagueR also do the same? If Presidential abuse of power is left Marie Yovanovi tch, who served in dan After all. more is on the line than unchecked. we all liecome a.ceomplicee gerous places all over the world. one of just military aid to an ally. when he does it again. This cannot be the most respected of all of our ForeiF,"n Our national security is at stake. come the new normal, not on our Service ofilcers. Stand up for that. watch. These are the people who my col Our ele<.:tion integrity is at stake. While President Trump's indefensible leagues would pejoratively label as Stand up for that. action,s set in motion this event, my ''career bureaut:ra.ts. ,, Why? Because Our Constitution is at stake. Stand vote for impeachment today is not they have the courage to do their law up for that. about the President. It is a.bout my ful dut_y, to answer a subpoena and to Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, oath to defend and protect the Con come and te~tify. For this, they are may I inquire as to how much time re stitution of thiR United States of called career bureaucra.tR. Well, we mains on each side. America and to make sure that I up should have more career bureaucrat!'\ of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The g-en hold and honor the sacred trust that that caliber. tleman from North Dakota has 1 hour. my con;:;tituents gave me. Madam Speaker. I am pleased to 23V1 minutes remaining·. The gentleman President Trump has betrayed his yield 1 minute to the ~rentleman from from California ha:;;; 1 hour. 18 minutes. oath of office. Let us not betray ours. California (Mr. COS'l'A). remaining. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Ma.dam Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker. I rise Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I Speaker, I am back. I also noticed with a heavy heart. The two most tlif appreciate the detail. some changes around here since I left. ficult votes any Member of CongTesR 26642 H12166 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 ever has to cast is to vote to g'O to war itics above the issues that America,ns Madam Speaker, I see how this is or to impeach. Today. I will vote for face today. It is t,ime Democrats stop :playing out. Instead of coming to tes the Articles of Impeachment. playing partisan gameB that hurt hard tify for 7 or 8 hours and answering all Over the last few months, I have lis working- ta.x:payem. It is time for the questions. we are going- to do it in pot tened carefully to my constituents. I American :people to be Congress' pri shots. have weighed all the available informa ority again. Again. let's talk about Mr, Volker. tion to determine whether or not the Madam Speaker, I urge my col He never testified that anyone wanted President committed any wrongdoing, leagues to join me in voting --no.'' to investigate Viue President Eiden. There are disturbing facts from this ad Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield What he dii.l testify to, which wa.s left ministration that informed my deci m:~rseH HUch time as I may commme. out, was that they wanted to. if the sion, including the President's own Madam Speaker, I am more than de Ukrainians are doing bad thing-a, :place words. lighted to refer to the testimony of Hunter Eiden on the board of Burisma His handpicked Ambassador to the Ambassador Volker and Mr. Morrison to avoid anything that needed to be in European Union testified there was a Ambassador Volker. who acknowle{\i·ed vestigated and found out. quid pro quo to withhold aid to that, in retrospect, he should have rec Let's at least tell the story. Again, Ukraine for an investigation of former og'nized that when they were calling for they had plenty of time to do this in an Vice Pre;;ident Biden. and that every investiga.tions of Burisma. it really actual hearing, not here. This is what one was in the loop. meant the Bid.ens, and that to ask a they want. This is what they have been His own Nationa.1 Security Advisor, foreign leader to investigate a political wanting. The majority has :played this John Bolton, said he wanted nothing to rival was wrong. the whole time. We will play this out do with thiB drug deal. as he called it. I am happy to refer to his testimony as lon1i· as they vvant to. It would have Then. the President openly acknowl as well as Mr. Mol'rison, who went to been better, though, if they actually edged that China and Ukraine should the National Security Council law;ver had a case. to have made it in the prop investigate Mr. Eiden. immediately after he listened to that er setting- instead of not coming and There is much more evidence point telephone call and who also testified not testifying-. ing· to the President \Tiolating his own that he was informed by Ambassador Madam Speaker, I yield lY.1 minutes oath of office. I have not made this de Sandland that the President wanted to the g-entleman from Texas (Mr. cision lightly. hut I must uphold my Zelensky '•in a public hox," that he WEREH). own oa.th of office because I believe the v.ranted him to be forced to go to the Mr. WEBER of Texas. Madam Speak President has failed to uphold his oath mike and announce these sham inves er. it is very interesting to hear the so of office. tigations. cia.listic left Democrats that have a The weight of history. my belief in I am happy to refer to their testi newfound appreciation for the Con the Com'\titution of the United States. mony as well. Rtitution and our Founders' prinui:pleK. and our own nat,ional security interests Madam Speaker, I am now happy to Would that those same socialists, yield 2 minuteR to the g·entlewoman have led me to this vote. Madam Speaker, afford unborn babies from California (Ms. SPEIER). Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, my fa the right to life, liberty. and the pur Speaker, I appreciate anybody who ther 11ed Nazi Germany for America be ::;uit of happiness, as well. would. come and give testimony. But it cause he saw what happened when a Madam Speaker, history tell::; us. in the first three impeachments in this is intereRting to see that the same despot became untethered. He fled be chairman who just spoke eloquently country. crimes were involved. John cause he believed in democracy. the about tho::;e who teHtH'ied would have rule of law, and the right to vote. Be son violated a law that Congress had to actually dismiss completely almost just :passed, over his veto. Nixon was fore he died. he asked to be buried in a anything by Mr. Volker or Mr. Moni simple :pine box with an American flag' involved in a coverup in Waterga.ta. son. to symbolize his love of this country. Clinton lied to a Federal g-rand jury But, again. I will say, at least they Today. we are called upon to do our and expected Monica Lewinsky to fal had the ability and the willingness to duty out of love of countr:v. The Presi sify an affidavit. Crimes. all instances come and testify. unlike the chairman, dent stands accused. We must judge of crimes. who wrote a report. sent it to the Juili him as we jmlge a.ny of our fellow citi Now come the socialistic-leaning D's, ciary Committee. and didn"t. zens: on the facts and on the law. in my opinion. Madam Speaker, osten Madam Speaker, I yieli.l 1½ minutes The tacts show that the President's sibly reading the President's mind, to the g·entlewoman from Texas (Ms. North Star is Russia, not the Constitu knowing- what his intent was. and dic GRANOF.R). tion. tating to us and the vvitnesses that MR. GRANGER Madam Speaker, I There is no question that President were in the hearing·s what his mindset rise today in strong- opposition to the Trump delayed military aid to was. Quite frankly. they didn't believe politkally dl'iven Artides of Impeach Ukraine. our ally. as they were under that he had the right to be in charge of ment that have been brought before attack by Russia, our a.dven1ary. !oreig'n :policy. the Hou Re of Re:presentativeB today. There is no question the President We heard Ambassadors, and, yes, we For the :pa~t 3 years, Democrats ha.ve withheld a meeting with Pre8.ident heard career bureaucrats, career dip been unable to accept the voters' Zelensky at the White House, giv'ing lomats, whatever you want to call choice to elect PreRident Trump. They Russia the upper hand in peace nego them. They get to ride the bus; they have used any and all undemocratic tiations with Ukraine. Jon·t g'et to drive the bus. The Presi and unfair means necessary to try and There is no question that President dent is in charg-e of foreign :policy. remove him from office. Trump promoted the Russian hoax that They said that the President had. the My vote today is not only against il Ukraine attacked our election in 2016. au December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12167 Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, evidence to support them. There wasn't vrotect the sacred equalizer: our right would just remind my colleai:rues that one witness who said a crime or im to vote. Arnl>assatlor Volker said that the at peachable offense was committed. To defend the integrity of our elec tacks on Joe Biden were meritle~s, and Ma.da.m Speaker. I remind my col tions and to fulfill our duty to the Con he tried to persuade Mr. Giuliani that lea_g-ues, no crime, no impeacha.ble of stitution, I will be voting in favor of there wa.R no factual support for them. fense. That is a pretty good defense if impeachment today. Madam Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to you ask me. Mr. COLLINS of Georg•ia. Madam the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. I will work dilig·ently to further re Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen LRWlSl. veal the truths and further reveal the tleman from Colorado (Mr. LAMBOHS). Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I thank abuses of power, Madam Speaker. that Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker. the gentleman for yielding. Madam Democrats paid for and enacted during anyone watching this im:oeachm.ent Speaker, I rise V1,ith a heavy heart to the last 3 yea.rs, abuses of power from sound and fury, signifying- nothing, support, thl8 resolution, the other siue of the aisle within this should look out for three misrepresen ·when we came to Washington in 1961 body and within our FBI. Americans tations the Democrats are making: to go on the Freedom Rides, we chose deserve the truth. One. Trump endang·ered national se that day. When we came here on Au All in all. history will be remembered curity. _g·nst 28, 1963, for the March on Wash toda.y as the political impeachment No. The 55-day delay did not stop ington, it was joyful. We met with a that set the precedent for Presidents to Ukrainians from defending themselves. young President, President John Fitz be impeached every time there is a di Trump actually gave them lethal aid, gerald Kennedy. vided government. which Obama never did. During When we came here on August 6, 1965, I 0J;Jpose the articleR before us today, Obama's negligence. Democrats said for the sig•ning of the Voting Rights and I yield to the other 8ide and their nothing·. Act. we were excited and hopeful. We superior imaginations. Two. Trump is not above the law. No met ~ith President Lyndon Johnson. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield one is. But today. this day, we didn't ask for 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illi But why don't the Democrats tell us this. This is a sad day. It is not a day nois (Mr. Qt:IGLEY). what law he broke? They ca.n't, because of joy. Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker. in he didn't break any. So Democrats Our Nation is founded on the prin deed, we are here today because the have reRorted to two vag'ue and subjec ciple that we do not have kings. We President of the United States abused tive articleR: abuse of power and ob have Presidents, and the Constitution his power and betr~yed his oath of of struction of justice. is our compass. fice. He laid siege to the foundation of And. three. the evidence is not in dis When you see Rometh1ng that is not our democracy: the electoral vrocesB. pute. ri.2:"ht. not just. not fair, you have a These actions have posed a direct No, the evidence is very much in dis moral obligation to say something. to threat to the freedom and fairness of pute. In !act, for every statement do Romething. Our children and their the upcoming 2020 election. Democrats cherry-pick to indict children will ask us: What did you do? The very day after Robert Mueller Trump. more statements back up the What did you say? testified that Russia had systemati President. For some, th1B vote may be hard. But cally and relentlessly a.ttaek:ed the 2016 In reality, this is nothing but a par we have a mission and a mandate to be election, the President picked up the tisan ploy by Democrats to overturn an on the right side of history. phone and made his now infamous July election. But this charade will fail, and the Senate will exonerate Trump, and 25 call to Ukrainian President 0 1630 everyone knows it. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Zelensk:y, asking President Zelensky Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield on that call to "do us a favor though,'' Speaker. I always like to be polite, and 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas and announced investigations into his I do appreciate the _g·entleman from (Mr. CASTRO). California confirming everything I just political rival, Joe Eiden. Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam said in my statement a moment ago. We have since learned from numerous Speaker. as my colleagues have said. Madam Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to National Security Council and State the evidence of the President's almse of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Department officials that the Presi power and obstruction or Congress is WENSTlWP). dent did not even expect Ukraine to uncontested. But let·s outline a few Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, open these investigations; rather, he key events involving- the nearly $400 since 2016. America has seen a pattern just wanted them announced so he million in military aid that was held of failed and disproven attacks and al could smear his rivaL Rather than up by President Trump and for Presi legations ag;ainst PreRident Trump. trusting the voters to decide who dent Trump despite congressional man Today is the fourth impeachment-re should hold the White House. he sought date. lated vote since PreRident Trump took the aid of a foreign country to tip the The summer of 2019 v:;as a summer of office. It is yet another attem:ot to sea.lee in hip, favor-again. shame at the White Hom,e. reach their predetermined conclm-1ion After Russia.'s unprecedented inter On July 3. the White House first of impeachment, a conclusion built on ference. a dark cloud hung over the blocked security assistance money for political bias, accnsationR, and innu 2016 election; and instead of leading- the Ukraine with no explanation. endo. These repetitive and fa.lse allega American people out from under the On July 10. Gordon Sondland states. tions reveal a political obsession dis cloud, the President, im;tead, during a White House meetinJi;- with guised as some kind of ri_g'hteom; over emboldened by perceived lack of con Ukrainian officials, that they will g·et a sight. sequence. attempted to vressure White House meeting only after an When they didn't win at the ballot Zelem1k:y to interfere in the 2020 elec nouncing an investigation into Presi l>ox. they pursued a Rus.."'iian eollusion tion. dent Trump·s political rival. narrative that Special Counsel Robert After a courageous whistleblower On July 18, a White House staffer an Mueller had to waste time and tax came forward and warned Cong·resA and nounces the freeze on Ukrainian aid. payer dollars to prove false. the public about the President's per direct Presidential order. When the Russian collusion mali scheme, the President stood on the And just one day after Robert cious deception didn't work, Madam White House lawn in front of TV cam Mueller·s testimony before Cong:ress, Speaker. Demoerats sought a new path eras broadca.stin,~ around the world and President Trump makes a now inta. forward to impeach President Trump: called for China to interfere. too. mour:,, phone call with Zelensky asking They created a made-for-TV set of Some of my colleagues have asked: him to investigate the Bidens. hearings complete v.1th witness audi Why not wa.it? Why are we proceeding? Then. things start to fall apart. tions held in the basement of the Cap That is very simJ;Jle. Becam;e nothing The \Vhite House lea.rm> that a whis i toL could be more urgent. \Ve are on the tleblower has reported President Despite all of their efforts, the precipice of the 2020 election, a.nd Con Trump"s phone call with President <:harg-es the House considers today la.ck gresR has ultimate responsibility to Zelensky in a complaint. 26644 H12168 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 On Septemtier 9. Congress starts to Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, very ticular. the manager of this bill, be investigate the PreKident's actions. and quickly. my colleagueH have ma.Ue re cause the inspector general, his tran then the jig is up. peated reference to some secret pro script has not been released. There On September 11. the aid is suddenly ceedings in some secret star chamber. have not been documents that were rel ea.Red with out explanation-over 2 This is apparently what they call depo transferred that were supposed to be months later. sitions. transferred to the White House. and we When :vou read the call transcript I remind my colleagues that, when are still not sure we got everything- we and follow the timeline I have laid out. they were in the majority. they con are supposed to get in the ,Judkiary guilty is ~uilty. Nothing changed dur ducted depositions. but they were dif Committee. ing that time regarding the President's ferent in this reRpect: I guess when you want to be trans ,mppose December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12169 The majority waves around a report whelming, and the process is undoubt i;ieached based on these factless arti drafted that the Democratic st,aff con edly an H12170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 is the lengths the majority has .li::one to inable. There is no impeachable offense President Trump committed no appease the radical. Socialist wing of Lefore us today. It is a complete and crime or impeachable offenRe-none. their party. total sham. His legacy won't be stained: Demo Second, the only overwhelming fea I close, not l:l:V quoting a President crats' will. We will look back at these ture about this sham is the abuse of from the past, but rather from the duly days in shame because Trump haters in power by the majority and the reckless elected President Donald Trump; "You Congress, like red haters of the past. disreg-ard for fairness by the majority are the ones interfering in America·s a.re willing to plunge America into throughout this entire circuR. election. You are the ones subverting darkness for raw political gain. Finally, the only bipartisan aetivi ty America's democracy. You are the ones This impeachment betrays the Na related to this sham will be the votes obstructing juRtice. You are the one:;; tion, the Constitution. and the Amer against these flimsy Articles of Im [Jring•ini;:· pllin and imffering to our Re ican people. I vote "no.'' peachment. public ror your own selfish personal, D 1700 Madam Speaker. I ask my colleagues volitical. and partisan gain.'' TheRe are hard word?. I know. but that is the sad Mr. SCIDFF. Madam Speaker, I yield to join me in opposing these deplorable 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas Articles of Impeachment and to de reality of this entire process. I will proudly vote ·'no'' today. a (Mr. DOGGETT). mand that the Hom;e get back to work Mr. DOGGETT. Tyrann;-.r rarely ap ing on the priorities that hardworlcing vote that upholds our Constitution, de fends our President, and preserves the pears full borne. It ariseR., it encroaches American families care about the a..R freedom elJbR. Our Nation's ~Teat most. pillars of our Nation's democracy. Founders soug-ht to protect us from Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ari tyranny with a carefully crafted sys 1 minute to the gentleman from Mary tem of checks and balances. land (Mr. RtJPPERSBERGim). zona (Mr. GRIJALVA}. But now along· comes a President Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Spealrnr, I will vote in favor of impeachment who actually says he is constitu Speaker, I svent 12 years on the House tionally empowered to do whatever he Permanent Select Committee on Intel today. The facts are irrefutable, and wants, that he can neither be pros ligence. including 4 as ranking mem the ongoin..i; obstruction and coverup is shameful. ecuted nor even investigated for any ber. My bipartisan cooperation with My parents came here as immigrants, crime, and that he can totally ignore the Republican chairman was widely and I am proud to live in a nation that A.Il:V impeachment proceeding or which recognized. When it comes to national rewarded their hard work by providing he disapproves. securi t:v. there is no room for bipar a better future for my sister8 and me. These are the claims of a wannabe tisan politics. As a first g:enera.tion American and tyrant who has extolled the virtues of All 17 witnesses-mostly Trump ap tyrants and autocrats from Manila to now a Member of CongTess. a story like pointees-told the same story during mine is only made l)OHSible b~T a nation Moscow. the Permanent Select Committee on To advance tyranny, he adopts an that upholds the rule of lavi' and truly oven-border policy inviting foreig-ners Intelligence hearings, each testifying· lives out the values em,hrined in our that our Commander in Chief jeopard to come into our country and intrude Constitution. ized American national security for the in our elections. Foreign nations have Mona and I are blessed with three their own agendas, especially adver sake of hiR reelection. The PreRident wonderful daughters and five held hostage military aid for the fig·ht saries like RnsRifl and China. grandkids. Because of this living leg American citizenR should be the only against a common enemy. Russia. fl.cy and the legacy I intend to :Dass on He willfully obstructed Congress' ones determining the fate of America. to my g-randchildren, my vote today is If the President continues demanding constitutionally prescribed impeach rooted in protecting their future. ment powers. more foreiKn interference. we will The underpinning·s for impeachment never have truly free elections, and we Over the last 2 years. I resisted calls are real and hi~toric. Trump has per to begin impeachment :Droceeding·s. and verted the rule of lav,, abused his will not be free. I resent those who Hay this is about re We a.ct today. recognizing- the solemn power, and engaged in a coverup. No responsibility to safeguard. our security Yersin,i the election. This isn't about amount of misdirection, lieR, whether or not you like Trump. It is and Constitution. We pledge allegiance disinformation. tantrums. and cries of to the flag and the Re:t>ublic for which about U:Dhold:ing- our Constitution. victimization by Trump and others can Allowing this conduct to g-o unques it stands, not to one man who would be undo the abuse of power and obstruc king. tioned sets a dangerous :Drecedimt and tion of Congress that remain clear and permanently damages our system of Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam present. The President leaves us no Speaker, before I call my next speaker, checks and balances. No one is above choice but to vote to impeach, so that the law. President Trump\; actions are may I ask the time remaining. we can protect our democracy and cor The SPEAKER pro tempore. The R0ll a clear threat to our national security rect the damag-e that is already done. tleman from Georgia has 1 hour and 3l/1 and democracy. We must uphold our I will vote in favor of the im:Deach minutes remaining. The gentleman oath of office and support these arti ment of Donald J. Trump. not as a par from California has 571/i minutes re cles. tisan act Lut a..s a serious. urgent, and maining. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam necessary one. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield H'-2 minutes to the gen Mr. COLLINS of Georg'ia. Madam Speaker. I yield 1½ minutes to the g·en tleman from Michigan (Mr. WALBEHG). Speaker. I yield 1 minute to the gen tleman from Georgia (Mr. ALLEN). Mr. WALBERG. Madam Sveak:er, I tleman from Texas (Mr. BRADY). Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker. I thank rise today in strong· opposition to these Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, 21 my friend from Georg'ia for his great baseless Articles of Impeachment. years ago this week, I B:Doke here on work in dealing with this very sad da.y Our Founding Fathers never intended imx>eachment. Badly. hiRtory will not in our country. impeachment to be a one-sided poli t treat Democrats well. They will forever Madam Speaker. today, for the third ica.l wea.:Don. Sadly. the majority has be remembered as the Senator Joe time in our Nation's history. a Presi reduced thiR seriou::::. constitutional ac McCarthys of our time, so blinded by dent will be impeached.. This will be, tion to a purely partisan tactic to take their hatred of President Trump that however. the first time impeachment down President Trump. they abandoned American rights of due has been entirely partisan and without History will not be kind to the vote :process, fairness, am1 ju?.t decency. merit. This charade is not because today. It will be remembered as a ReminiRcent o! Joe McOa.rthy, they President Trump is guilty of a high rushed proceRs that lacks credibility or assaulted the Constitution. took glee crime or misdemeanor but because one transparency with a predetermined in secret hearings., Llocked evidence, political party doefm·t like him or his outcome that putR a premium on polit and switched charges like rogue pros :DOlicies of .America First. ical theater instead of facts. By any ob ecutors. Ultimately. they chose abuse Fad one: We have a divided g'overn jective standard. the Democrats' im of power because they practice it so ment. and House Democrats are at war peachment case is the thinnest imag- woll. with the executive branch. 26647 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12171 Fact two: They have been planning cause he thought it might help his re This impeachment is a slap in the for this day since President Trump election bid. face to the millions of Americans vvho took office. Only the President has that power to voted for President Trump. The same Fact three: They accused the Presi corrupt our foreign :tiolicy for political AmericanR who Democrats in \Vash dent fin;t and have 8pent months look .!{ain. The moment he chose to do so. inp;ton have mocked as smelly Walmart ing- for a crime. the moment he undermined our secu sho:tipers and ''deplorables.'' Fact four: No evidence has been pre rity in this scheme to undermine our Madam Speaker, this impeachment sented of an impeachable offense. democracy, whether he succeeded or isn't legitimate. It is the radical left's During one of the partisan hearings, not-and thank God, he did not-at insurance policy. But we have an insur a Member of this body asked: If Presi that moment. it became an abuse of ance policy. too. It is the next election, dent Trump had evidence of his inno :tiower. and we intend to win it. cence, why didn't he bring it forward? A President who abuses his power for Mr. SC!llFF. Madam Speaker, I yield The Democrats want Americans to :tierRonal gain is exactly what the 2 minutes to the gentleman from believe that our President is guilty Framers feared. It is why im:tiea.chment Vermont (Mr. WELCH), until he proves himself innouent: This is in the Constitution. Mr. WELCH. Madam B:tiea.t:er, we. the whole process is unconstitutional. We need to :tiaRs these articles. The :tieople, have a common tie that binds To H12172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 this. Congres~. If yon wanted it sent to the 2020 election. However, our founders in has also approved the College Affordability them before Se:otember 30. 2019, you cluded impeachment in the Constitution for Act, the Rebuild America's Schools Act, the should have put that in the legisli.tion. times when an official's conduct was so egre Protectlng the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, You di December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12173 House Democrats held secret meet Our Founding Fathers e8tablished a a foreign power-be it Russia. China, or ings. withheld important documents, system of checks and balances that Iran-to help him hurt his political en deliberately misrepresented informa Aprea\! out power between the branches emies at home, and every foreign ty tion to the pUl:lliC. and did not give due of government. They decided that no rant and kleptocrat will know that -process to the President. This inves one would be a king, that no one is America's foreign policy can be bought tigation was unfair, and the American above the law, including· the President. by doin_rr our PreRident a :political people expect more out of Congress. And they gave the reRponeibility of im favor. The ~"'1_rticles of Impeachment are not peachment solely to the people's If you believe that our highest duty baRed on facts but. im,tead, are entirely House. is to :orotect America, then search your politically motivated. The truth is When President Trump defies our conscience and ask: Do you want our there was no :tires~ure put on President subpoenas and obstructs our impeach future Presidents to behave as this one Zelensky, and the transcripts confirm ment inquiry, he seeks to place himself has done? that there was no conditionality. above the Constitution and above the Do not whisper in the shadows of the This inquiry has been ri.iJfed from the law. Capitol that you disapprove and then start. lacking fairness, transparency. We cannot let that stand; and if we defend that <..:onduct here today. Do and truth. It ha~ been a wa!'lte of tax do, then that is the end of CongTess as your duty. Keep your oath. Defend payers' dollars. and it is based off the a coequal branch of government, and your country, as will I. O:Dinion of an unnamed whistleblower we have allowed PreRident Trump to Mr. COLLINS of Georg:'ia. Mr. B:oea.k and hei.rsay, The accusations in to elevate himself above the law. er. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman day's proceedings do not align with the It iB our solemn duty. uncler the Con from South Carolina (Mr. WILR0?-,). facts. stitution. to impeach President Trump Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Thi8 impeachment process is out of for his blatant abuse of power and his Spealrnr. over a month ago. on Novem step with existing precedent for Presi obstruction or Oongresf\. ber 14, I spoke on the impeachment dential impeachment proceedings, and Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Mr. 8:Dea.k hoax with pointR true then and still it is not a process I will support. I urge er. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman true today. After over a month of se..:ret inve8- my colleagues to put country first and from Arkansas (Mr. WOMAOK:). vote in oppoRition to the Articles of Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Bpeaker. I thank tigatione into the administration, Impeachment. the gentleman for giving- me this mo DemocratH have now decided to open these controlled hearing·s to the public. Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 ment. minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mr. Speaker, years from now, history This continues the deception by Demo York (Mrs. CAR0LY:,;' B. MAL0:SRY). book8 will tell of this day. It will tell crats to mislead the American people. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New of a purely partisan effort to remove It is insulting: no Republican wit York. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in sup nesses. no counsel by the President to port of the impeachment of President the President of the United States, an effort not built on a high crime or mis participate, and full exoneration by Donald J. Trump. courageous President Volodymyr PreRident Trump abused the power of demeanor, not on a process in keeping with the high American standard of Zelensky of Ukraine. his office for his own personal and po It is sad that. instead of focusing- on due process and equal treatment. This litical gain at the expenRe of our na funding our military through the Na tional security. effort is rooted only in the governing tional Defense Authorization Act party's hatred of a man elected Presi President Trump's wholesale obstruc passed only last week or passing the tion of Congress is unprecedented, in dent of the United States. United States-Mexico-Oanada A~ree disputable. and impeachable. President Members on the other side of the aisle have been in pursuit of this mo ment to create jobs, Democrats con Trump is the first President in history tinue. having wa.ste<.l $30 million of tax to openly and completely defy all as ment since 2016. They are consumed by payers· money on the Russian hoax, it. Earlier in this debate, one of our :oects of the constitutional impeach now proceeding- with a Ukrainian hoax. ment process. colleagues referred to our President as This partisan witch hunt diverts at In an attem:Dt to cover up his abuse a '·domestic enemy.·· tention from the President's successes: of power, he ordered the entire execu Our Founders warned us about this The unemployment rate remains at a tive branch not to participate in the day. That is why our Nation has en record low; there is record job creation; inquiry and directed it to defy lawful trusted the future of the country with and the stock market. again. today, is subpoenaR from Congress. the outcome of elections, not the will thriving-, showing that President As chairwoman of the Committee on of a :oarty filled with contempt for a Trump keeps h:is :oromises. Oversight and Reform, I find this ob duly elected President. In concllrnion. God blet=1s our troops, struction particularly offensive. My hope is that. when historians and we will never forget September the Even President Nixon accepted Con write about this day. it is not written 11th in the global war on terrorism. gTess· impeachment authority and al in the context of a nation that lost its Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 lowed his a:ides and advisers to produce wa.y because its elected Members chose minute to the gentleman from Cali the documents to Congress. And Presi hateful partisanship over the sacred fornia (Mr. GOMBZ), dent Nixon allowed current and former oath that has protected this g-reat Re Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, we are 8taff to testify in both the House im public since its founding. here at this moment in our Nation's peachment and the Senate Waterg·ate Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 history because the President abused investigations, including his chief of minute to the gentleman from New the power of his office, bribed a foreign staff and White House counsel. ,Jersey (Mr. MALINOWSKI). government to intrude into our democ By contrast. President Trump, with Mr. MALINOWSKI. Mr. Speaker. in racy, and engag-ed in an unprecedented out any legal basis. directed current America. when we call the fire ilepart campaign of obstruction or Cong,ress to and former officials not to cooperate ment or enroll our children in school, cover it u:o. with the House's inquiry. which re we do not expect a government official Our credfbility in the global commu sulted in nine administration officials to Bay to us: ·'I need you to do us a nity has been compromised. Our char defying subpoenas for testimony. And favor, thoug-h. ,. Why would we tolerate acter and motivations are questioned. in re,gponHe to the House ·s inquiry. a President using his awesome power We know where the PreHident's true President Trump refused to turn over to make foreign policy. when the safe loyalties lie: not with our constituents, even one single-not one sin~;le-docu ty of our country is at stake, not for not with our allies, but with our adver ment to Congress in response to lawf'ul the people, but for himself? saries and himself. subpoenas.. I will vote to impeach today because Abraham Lincoln once said: "Nearly Put simply. President Trump's ac President Trump did just that when he all men can stand adversity. but if you tions are even worRe than Nixon·s. shook down a foreign country to crimi want to test a man's character, give Let me repeat that. President nally investigate his political rival. him power."' Trump·s actions are even worse than If we fail to say that this was wrong-, Donald Trump has failed this test, Nixon's. then any President will be free to ask and now our test is whether we will be 26650 H12174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 a check on that power. Therefore, we that any one of us holding public office fact-check so quickly, but, of course. must hold anyone to account, regard would be judged by the high eourt of there was no preapproved witness list. less of party or politics, who set~ fire history on whether we were truly men Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to to the very institutions that define our and women of courage. with the cour the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nation and our values. With this in age to stand up to one's enemies and MBeKS). mind. I \Yill vote "yes" to impeach the coura~·e to stand up, as well, to Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker. the de Donald J. Trump. one'R associates. the courage to resist cision to im:peach a PreRid.ent of the Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speak public pressure as well as private United States is of enormous mag er. I yield l½ minutes to the gentle greed, and on whether we are truly nitude and utmost sig'l1ifi0ance. There woman from North Carolina (Ms. men and women of integrity who never are few issues that so deer,ly reflect Foxx). run out of the principles in which we upon the Constitution and the Amer Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. believe and for whom neither financial ican system of governanee. Spealrnr. I rise in strong opposition to gain nor political ambition could ever As a senior memtier of the United the process and to the resolution. divert from the fulfillment of our sa States House Foreign Affairs Com When CongreRs Rees fit to examine its ured trust. mittee. I have spent years trying to solemn power of impeachment, it is im President Donald Trump, indifferent promote American values of democracy perative that it does so in genuine pur and disdainful of this sacred trust, con and the rule of law in other parts of the suit of justke: fairly, transparently. spired to extract personal Lene Cit from world, including· Eastern Europe. Be and objectively. Anything less is unac his office. cause I have been so steeped in Ukrain ceptable. ThiH partisan impeachment He dishonore December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12175 As a senior Member of the United States May God bless the United States of Amer serve that democracy that they so House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee with a ica. bravely defended. particular focus on Europe, I have spent years Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, Madam Over 2 years ago, I was one of the trying to promote American values of democ 8:tieaker, I yield 1 minute to the g·en first Members of Congress to vote to racy and the rule of law in other parts of the tleman Crom Nebraska (Mr. BACO;:-{). advance the inquiry. Since then, I have world including Eastern Europe. Other nations Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I am withheld final judgment as I reviewed have not been blessed with political institu strongly O:D:DOsed to this imtieachment. the facts and heard the testimony. tions that promoted civil liberties and the rule No law wa::- broken, no high crimes or I believe there is overwhelming evi of law. Today, in Ukraine however there are misdemeanors, no impeachable of dence well beyond a. reasonal>le doubt leaders keen on anticorruption initiatives, in fenseR. that President Donalcl Trumti iR guilty vested in following the Western democratic The Ukrainians received aid 1 week in both Articles of Impeachment, abuse model, and inspired by the American example< prior to the law's requ1rement, aid that of :Dower and obstruction of Congre1:1e. Nearly 13,000 Ukrainians have been killed was previously reje<:ted by the adminis Therefore. I will uphold. my oath to since 2014 because of the conflict provoked tra.tion before it. There was no inves protect and defend the Cmrntitution of and sustained by Russia, who opposes this vi tigation, and President Zelensk:v ,said the United States in favor of impeach he received no pres;-;ure from the ment. sion of liberty and opportunity, It is our solemn responsibility to Over the years, l have pushed for the U.S. Trump administration ever. honor all tho,se who have fought and government to fund and protect these Ukrain Simply put, there was no quid pro quo and no crime. There was only the given their lives to uphold the truth. In ian freedom fighters from Russian aggression. America, no one is above the law. As the leader of the United States, President majority's disdain for the Pre,gident, Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Wow, I just Trump has responsibility to help Ukraine lay and that is not an impeachable offense. love this, again, potshot it in when you the ground work for a more sustainable sys The election,s are in 10 mont,hs. but can. tem of governance, one that promotes the rule the majority doesn't trust the Amer Remember. quid pro quo didn't work of !aw and free and fair elections. This duty is ican people. Too many have said that out really well for them because that inextricably linked to American national secu the impeachment is necessary RO that was SU:D:DOBedly who had pressure on rity interests. Because I have been steeped in the President is not reelected in 2020. President Zelensky, In fact, it didn't these issues pertaining to Ukraine for so long, and that iR shameful. work out, so, well, you had to go poll ! know how damaging President Trump's ac Today's vote sets a new precedent for test it. The majority didn't work out tions were. Based on witness testimony and America. In the future, the majority because foCUR gTOU:DS didn't like it. the overwhelming evidence presented, I am will use impeachment as a tactic to re So, what do we do? We throw it in forced to conclude that the President abused move a President simply based on :par here. a bribe. It is all in their report, the power of his office for his own personal tisanship. Our Founders feared this, but if they had a bribe or if they actu gain rather than the public interest and that and I strongly oppose it. ally halt a crime, it would be in the ar this was in fact an impeachable offense. I want my Htatement to lJe in the ticles. The second article of impeachment con RECORD until the end of time to show Guess what? He doesn't have it. He cerns President Trump's obstruction of Con that I was on the side of the Constitu can't put it in there. Thi;-; is all fluff gress. Our constitutional system was designed tion, that I optiose the majority taking and circumstance because they can't to promote checks and balances among the down a duly elected PreRident who get to the President, and that iR what different branches of government, with a par committed no crime, and that I de is killing: them. ticular focus on ensuring that the judiciary and fended the truth. Ma.da.m Speaker, I yield H"i. minutes the legislature could check the President. We Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. my to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. did not free ourselves from a King to tum the collea.gues continue to mat:e the argu Bl:CSHON). President into a monarch. ment that the Ukrainians got the Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker. In the case of our current President, he has money. Yes. the President got caug·ht. House Democrats have been obsessed shown his disdain for separation of powers but they g'ot the money. No harm, no with imtieaching· President Trump unrelentingly and unrepentantly. This pattern foul. since he was elected. of behavior evidenced throughout the Mueller It is the equivalent of saying that if He wasn't supposed to win. ''How investigation and repeated itself again as the you are pulled over by a cop and you could the voters support him?'' they attemtit to bribe the cop, and the cop asked. President has continually defied any oversight The American people were told the initiatives from the legislature. This is in com• doei:m't take the money but a.rrests you, well, where is the crime in that? only way the Speaker would move for plete contravention of our Constitutional sys ward with impeachment was if the case tem. And it is an impeachable offense. They didn't get the money. In sum, the founders knew from the very be This is what my collea.gues would was compelling, overwhelming, and bi ginning that the insertion of domestic political have you accept. This is wha.t my col tiartisan, yet the case for impeachment interests into foreign policy would be an exis• leagues would ha.ve you accept. that that has been rushed forward by House Democra.tg i~ anything but that. tential threat to the United States. Indeed, because the President ~rot caught in To be clear, neither of these ...""rticles confidence in our electoral system at home the act, we must look the other way. of Impeachment prove any wrongdoing Of course, that is not the way the law has been indispensable to the strength of our or impeachable offense has a.ctua.11Y republic while the absence of quid pro quo works. That is not the way the Con taken tilace. Im1tea(t House DemocratR' corruption from our foreign policy has been stitution works. That is not the way case rests solely on hearKay testimony essential to American leadership abroad, our oath of of:11ce works. and pre,surnptions from cherry-:Dicked President Trump's misconduct has betrayed Our oath of ofl"'lce requires us to im v.-itnesses. both of these vital principals, weakening our peach a President who abuses his The Framers of the Constitution democratic institutions at home and our stand power, whether he ~ets away with it or never intended impeachment to be used ing abroad. he gets caught. In this case, he got as a tool to settle political and policy The camera of history is rolling. Today's oa.nght. differences. That fa what elections are vote is not about one man, but instead about Mlldam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to for. the foundations of our republic for the years, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. This is a sad and dangerous moment decades, and centuries to come. I will cast my NORCROSS). in our history, a,s impeachment is vote consistent with the principles of democ Mr. NORCROSS. Ma H12176 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE December 18, 2019 Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, years harm'.s way; and today, an oath that on the executive branch an affirmative ~·o, I took my first oath to the coun gives me resolve to do what is right duty to ensure that the Government of try, went to war. and fought alongside and not what is politically expeilient, Ukraine \Vas countering corruption. our Nation's finest men and women. resolve to stand with the President at And for good reason: Ukraine is the Some of them ~;ave their lives for our the \Vhite House last week, and resolYe third-most corrupt nation on Earth. Nation. Not a day has passed. that I to stand up to the President in this So the President not only had the don't reflect on those sacrifices. House today. legal authority to temporarily pause I learned during that time that our I ask my collea.~ues to have the same security asRistance to Ukraine, he had Nation is built on sacrifice. We h.ive strength and the same resolve. a marnla.te from Congress to do it. overcome challenginR' times. because Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam As a result, President Zelensky's people have decided to put aside their Speaker, I yield 3!5 seconds to the J2:en government made historic perRonal interests, their livelihoods, tleman from North Carolina (Mr. anticorruption reforms, making a.nd, yes, even sriven their lives to do \VALKER). Ukraine a more reliable ally. coun what is best for our Nation. Mr. WALKER. Madam Speaker, when tering· Russian aggression. Our Founders created a system to en emotions supersede the factP>. the con F'a.r from compromising national se sure we would have no kings or dic clusion is catadysmic. Today, we are curity, the President's actions ad ta.torn. a system that vested power in wrapping up not a 3-month process but. vanced national security. the people to ensure that no man or rather. a 3-year process with Demo Oppose this impeachment. woman is above the law. crats· disdain so much that it has led Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield Generation after genera.ti on. this sys to the abuse of this yery Honse. myself such time as I may cornmme. tem has survived because people have These are the same Democrats who Madam Speaker. my colleagues fought for it. Today, it iR our turn. promised America they saw evidence of would have the country l:lelieve that The President's almse of power and Russian collusion. Do the American the President held up the aid to suorn for our uonstitutional <.:hecks and people trust them? Hell, no, they don't. Ukraine because he was concerned balances is unprecedented. Unless we A growing number of American peo about conuption. Of courAe, there is stand up against these abuses. we will ple have condemned this impeachment not a shred of eVidence for that. set the country on a dangerous new process, and that is with House Demo All of the national secu11ty experts course. crats settini· the rules and then even across all the departments testified My oath, my love of our country, and bending· a.nu breaking: the rules to fit that Ukraine met the criteria to re my duty to honor the ea.criflces of their narrative. The majority of Ameri ceive the aid. those who came before us require me to cans see this circus for what it is. I So what was the real motivation act. To my colleagues, it is time to put wonder how many more will ,loin them. here? Well, one thing is telling. In 2017, aside our :personal and political inter Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield the President had no problem ·with aid ests and honor those who have come 1 minute to the gentlewoman from to Ukraine, raised no issue of corrup before us. California (Ms. ERHOO). tion. In 2018, he had no problem \.vith Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Ms. ESHOO. Ma.dam Speaker, I rise the military aid for Ukraine. Speaker. I yield 35 geconds to the gen today to defend our Comi.titution and So what changed in 2019? Joe Eiden tleman from Georgia (Mr. HICE). our democracy by voting· for the two announced he was running' for Presi Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speak Articles or Impeachment. dent, and all of a Rudd.en, Donald er, the Democrats' new definition for The words of our sacred oath define Trump held up the aid for Ukraine. evidence is allegations. allegations our duty, and those words must be As Ambassador Soncllancl teAtified, based on hearsay, I might add. So. they kept. Our Founders' primal fear was the PreRident didn't care about hurl allegations against the Presid.ent. that powerful memben:; of our g·overn Ukraine. All he cared about was the big and then they say to him that it iR not ment would become, in Hamilton·s stuff that affected him personally. the their responsibility to prove guilt bnt words, ''mercenary instrumentR of for investigation of the Bidem, that the President's res:pon..~ibility to prove eign corruption." Giuliani was pushing. his innocence. President Trump abused the powers Madam Speaker. I yield 1 minute to This impeachment has been a sham of the Presidency by ignoring· and in the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. and an act of injustice against the juring national security and other vital SPANBBRGER). President and againRt 63 million Amer national interests to obtain an im Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, icans who voted for him. _..\lthough this proper pen;onal benefit. He also be I rise today in support of H. Res. 755. process vms rigged from the lieginning, trayed. our Nation by abusing· his high As a CIA case o(t1cer, I used to meet Democn..ts never produced a single true office to enlist a foreign power in cor with foreign nationals who were pro piece of eVidence. rupting democratic electionH. vitling vital intelligence to help inform Artide II I agree with becauBe it de It is time for us to stop this hoax and our hardest national security deciAions vote against these Articles of Impeach tails the obstruction of Congress by the and keep our country safe. These indi ment. President by directing unprecedented, Viduals. from countries where leaders Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield catej(orical, and irnlisuriminate defi abused their power and defied the rule 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Vir ance· of subpoenas issued by this House of law. risked imprisonment and often ginia (Mrs. Ll'RlA ). of Repre!'lenta.tives and abused the pow their Yery liveR in order to provide the Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise ers of the Presidency in a manner sub United 8tateA with information to help today in support of our Constitution, in ver3ive to the Constitution. us. to inform us. support of the military members in I believe the Constitution is the soul But why? It was their belief in the harm's way who defend our Constitu of our Nation, and by defending it. we United States, their belief in our coun tion, in support of Gold Star families are saying we will not be soulless. try. the longest-stamling democracy in who keep faith that their loved one\;;; □ 174,5 the world; our country, a beacon of sacrifiue was ,im>tified. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Madam hope in the world, a democratic repub I rise today in support of the oath I Speaker, I yield 36 seuonds to the gen lic founded on a document and the be first took at 17 upon entering the tleman from Kentu<.:ky (Mr. BARR). lief in the rule of law and a belief in its Naval Academy and took five more Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, don't be people. time3 in m:v 20-year Navy career; an fooled. Democrats are not impeaching Totlay, I am proud to serve in the oath that comforted me in the years I the President to protect national secu people's House, representing· my home spent away from my family. deployed rity. town and again serving our country. around the g'lobe; an oath that encour Democrats are impeaching the Presi that beacon of hope in the world. aged roe to remain vigilant on the dent for following a law that they And today, especially today, I reflect bridge of the ship at night: an oath themselve~ voted far. on the founding: documents that have that stren~thened me when in com No less than five times in the laRt 6 set us apart in the world. leading peo mand, as I sent my fellow sailors into years. bipartisan Congresses imposed ple across generationR and across the 26653 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12177 world to risk everything becam;e of cials to defy lawful subpoenas from When we discussed impeachment, I never the1r belief in our g-reat Nation. CongTess. thought I'd actually be participating in the Today. especiall~,r today. I affirm my Was he attempting to hide wrong process, but this president has left us no commitment to upholding and pro doing? choice. tecting the Constitution. the rule of It is without question that this Presi He tried to rig the 2020 elections by solic law it defines, and the people it gov dent "has demonstrated that he will iting foreign interference, and then engaged in ernH. remain a threat to national security an unprecedented cover-up once he got Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam and the Constitution if allowed to re caught. Speaker. I yield 35 8econds to the gen main in office. and has acted in a man No president can be permitted to abuse the tleman from Texas (Mr. ARRINGTON). ner grossly incompatible with self-gov power of the office for personal, political gain, Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker. ernance and the rule of law," because nor try to hide his misdeeds by demanding today, many of my Democratic col at every turn, he has shown us who he that his subordinates withhold key documents leagues will be making history, unfor is. and refuse to testify before Congress. tunately. for supporting the fir1:1t--ever It is no secret that this President President Trump's allies have offered lots of completely partisan impeachment of a could have been impeached a long time crazy excuses for why he shouldn't be im Presi<.lent of the United States. ago. peached, but even they will not deny that he Madam Speaker, I am deeply difi Today, we stand here with an irref wouldn't have asked Ukraine to investigate turJJed that history v.-'ill indeed be made utable case and an indisputable set of Biden it the former Vice President weren't a today in this hallowed Chamber, but facts that this President absolutely leading candidate for president for all the wrong reasons: not for love abused his power and obstructed Con I have analyzed the evidence thoroughly. It of country, but hatred for a political j.Tess. Any other individual who would have is consistent and convincing. That is why l am foe; not to pursue justice, but to punish casting my vote to impeach President Trump. a political adversi.ry; not to seek been caught conducting themselves in the way this President has would have Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield truth. but to seize political :oower. 2 minutes to the gentleman from Con Madam Speaker. for the love of coun been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. necticut (Mr. HI"MER). try. I urge my colleagues to oppose thiR Mr. HIMES, Madam Speaker, I ri8e disastrous political ruse. It is shameful that a.ny Members of this House are willing to H12178 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 Madam Sr,eaker, I am proud today to differences with only partisan motives as evi and then make them prove they are answer the call to defend our democ dence. not guilty of what you are accusing racy and the United States Constitu The power to impeach the President is the them oL tion, and I urg·e my colleagues to do single most important vote that a member of Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seeonds to the same. this body can cast the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam It should not be taken lightly, and it certainly JOHX W. ROSE). Speaker, for reasons that I really don't shouldn't be rushed through the House. Mr. JOHN W. ROSE of Tennessee. understand, I am having to ;vield 30 sec Alexander Hamilton feared the greatest dan Madam Speaker. today. I rise in strong onds to the gentleman from Mississi:trDi ger of abusing impeachment authority is that oppm:;1tion to this partisan imtieach (Mr. KELLY). the decision would be "regulated more by the ment S:DeCtR.cle that ,inst seeks to ac Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam comparative strength of parties than the real comtilieh what President Trump's op Speaker. I am saddened today that I demonstration of innocence or guilt." ponents failed to do at the ballot box :in spent two Christma.ses defending our The fears of our Founding Fathers have 2016. country overseas, and I get a measly 30 manifested in this Chamber today. Our voteR today are merely for Recon<.lR to R_peak: in this laughable We face a partisan process that will jeop malizing· the Uecision my colleagues on process. ardize our 243-year experiment at self-govern the other side of the aisle reached 3 Our President made a camtiaign ance, now, and for decades to come. years a~·o. This has been an embarrass promise to drain the swamp, and there Madam Speaker. I ask my colleagues ment to our c:ountry, an insult to our are thm;e today relying on swamp crea to vote "no,, to this sham. Constitution, and a distraction from tures' words to preserve the Rwam_p. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield the real work we should be accom How do you supI)ress the votes of 63 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illi plishing for the American people. I stand with the people of Ten million -people in an electoral land nois (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI). slide? You kee:D repeating the same lies Mr. KRISHNAJ\100RTHI. Madam nessee's Sixth District :in strongly sup absent any fn,ctual 1ia.sis. Speaker, like many of my colleagues. I porting- President Trump, and I will I have heard some of the greatest fic never ran for Congress wanting or ex vote against the Articles of Impeach ment before UR today. tion ever spoken here today. If you pecting to imtiea.ch anybody, let alone Mr. SCHIFF. Mad.am Speaker. I re Jon't like the facts. just rewrite them the PreR:ident o! the United States. serve the balance of my time. :in a parody and repeat. However. given the facts, here we Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam If the fa.ct:'>, are so clear and indis are. Speaker. I yield 30 seconds to the gen putable, why is the minority leader While some questionR remain unan tleman from Michigan (Mr. HUIZENGA). begging· for more \vi tnesses? Rwered., two key facts are clear and Mr. HUIZENGA. Madam Speaker. in You can't disprove somethin,e; that comtiel me to ~mpport the Articles of her own words. Speaker PELOSI said never happened. Impeachment. impeachment must be compelling. Mr. Speaker, due to a rushed process and First, President Trump attempted to overwhelming-, and bipartisan. These limited debate, I was not allocated time to tireRRure a foreign g·overnment to help Articles of Impeachment being- consid speak on the Floor ahead of this monumental his reelection cam:Daign. ered today by the House fail to meet vote, an opportunity that every member should And second. the President used the 8J)0aker PELOBI's own standards, be afforded. powers of his office to obstruct a con Process matters. folks. Representing I have spent two Christmases down range, gressional investi.g•ation into that a goo December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12179 birthed at a resistance movement. It is Mr. SCHIFF. Madam I con time to end this charade and back tinue to reserve the of my to doing· the work \Ve were to time. do. Mr. COLLINS of Madam Mr. SCHIFF. Madam I con Speaker. I yield 30 to the gen- of my tleman from Kentucky (Mr. Gt:THRIEJ). Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker. I Madam rise today in opposition to the Articles Washin.,~ton. Bank of America and Speaker, I yield of Impeachment on President Trump. Starbucks, both who supported Hillary tleman from My Democratic colleagues have been Clinton. had their windows broken out Mr. FULCHER. Speaker. in a planning President Trump here in w asmngcon because day heavy in verbal debate, I choose to since he After months of use my time to enumerate in detail wasting House time on partisan inves every high crime and misdemeanor have been unable to committed by the President of the that President Trnmp for almost 3 United States. I will do so now. up for a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. ing him down. DBGETTB). The time of the gentleman ting Lowest Black unemployment ever, has expired. Kentuckians. lowest unemployment ever. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I con Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, highest market ever, and the tinue to re:;;erve the balance of my 2 minutes to the gentleman from very lowest unemployment in years. time. York (Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY). Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I re- Mr. COLLINS of Madam Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of serve the balance time. Speaker, I ~.r:ield 30 the New York. Madam the facts Mr. COLLINS of Madam tleman from Tennessee and the evidence beyond per- Speaker, I yield 30 the gen FLEISCHMA".'\X). adventure that the President abused tleman from Nebraska (Mr. FORTE:N- Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Spealc· the power of his office for personal BERRY). heart ache8 for our RepuU- and sought to cover up his mtscond11ct Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speak I implore my by obstructing the I have been concerned since the be in thi8 House: We are not \Vhat we do today the heart of this impeachment or Democrats. We are of the oath we take support all(1 de- been driven by a Americans. fend the Constitution. These actions verdict. This is not the This is are as necessary as they are heart It is wrong. And now, not the our po- breaking. every future President, Democrat or litical ,li!Ieren,ces politically. It is the President. not any Member Republican, will have to that the We owe the American people a great of this House. who has brought us to will be as to come together. Don't the this sad place. His actions echo in this instrument. the lap. Give House Chamber and, like a tin can tied to his It has been said that this day is sad. "no" to impeach. leg, will rattle behind him throngh the It is not it is ro,erAttot.lo But this people. of history. will The House has us to come in the final its cathartic moment. Tomorrow together for our great Republic and will escape the truth. come for will begin a new day. Let's get hack to thank our gTeat President. us all in thiR vrnrld or the next. work. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem What is the truth? The President Mr. SCHIFF. Madam I con- bers are reminded to address their re used taxpayer money and official acts tinue to reserve the of my marks to the Chair. to pressure a foreign government to time. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam I con- help him win reelection by slandering a Mr. COLLINS of Madam tinue to reserve the of my fellow American. Speaker, I yield 30 the gen- time. How do we know this truth? We know tleman from California (Mr. LAMALFA). Mr. COLLINS of Madam because Urave Americans, soldiers and Mr. LAMALFA. Madam Speaker, Speaker, may I inquire time re- public ,servants, came forward to reveal fire, maining· for both the majority and the the President's misl'onduct. we are today are made- And the President? He continues to minority. undertake an unprecedented coverup to up articles to fit an ever-shrinking im The SPEAKER pro The gen- stonewall the public and obstruct their foothold. George Wash tleman from Georgia has minutes re Representatives in CongTess. He with could be impeached under this maining. The gentleman from Cali holds access to documents and records fornia has 29 minutes remaining. to the public that would fur Democrats believe they are Mr. COLLINS of Madam ther his mendacity. He blocks our democracy with these nystenca1. Speaker. I yield 30 the gen- his advisers and associates from testi made-up which is tleman from Florida (Mr. WALTZ). fying before the public to conceal the we are a not a democracy. as Mr. WALTZ. Madam Speaker, I am a they keep Green Beret and a proud veteran, but No one came to to impeach. this does not make me proud. I Presidency. we hear. Several new and returning all over the world, from Africa Today is about right and wrong and Members have come specifically to im and I have seen fair whether we still know the difference. peach President Trump. and more transparent processes than Today. we hold the President account- I hear a lot today about sadness and this. able. If we fail to do future Presi- solemnity. From impeachment? No. 1)8- Since the Democrats lost the election dents would see as without cause their candidate lost in 2016. The in 2016. have been focused on im- crnrise,quern;e. And there, our democracy American people chose Donald J. peaching President. Meanwhile. we Trump to lead us into prosperity, not a have not solved the America is Republic from our an socialist government. entrusted us to immigration, our chil We will survive this day. but I call healthcare, and infrastructure. that the upon the American to see Nothing in President Trump's eall hi, us to a through this sham, unite by rises to the level of high crimes and speaking the truth. misdemeanors of impeachment. Madam Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I con For that reason. will be voting Speaker. tinue to reserve the balance of my against impeachment, today. tleman f time, 26656 H12180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Madam will forever change this im,titution. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I re Speaker. I yield 30 second~ to the gen Imagine a future where this body uti serve the balanee of my time. tleman from South Dakota (Mr. J0H:,.f lizes the most severe of its constitu Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Madam RO:S-). tional tools to continually put the op Speaker, I yield 30 Hecondp, to the gen Mr. JOHNSON of South Dalrnta. position party on trial. tleman from Maryland (Mr. HARRIS). Madam Speaker, I am voting- "no." Madam Sl)ea.k:er. the American l)eo Mr. HARRIS. Madam Speaker. it is Impeachment is not in the best inter ple have elected their Representatives unbelievable to the few Americans who est of this country. In fact. it has only to be their voice and vote on matterR are going to he watching· this because deepened the parti:-ian divide that truly most important to this country. We they know \Vhat the outcome is. We all plagues this country. must collectively focus on these isttues. know what the outcome is. When the Sun comes up tomorrow. I not on the political impulses of a few. They are wondering·: Vlhy are we try :pray with all my heart that the anger ThiR cannot become the new normal. ing to negate the vote of 83 million and the division in this Chamber will I will be voting a resounding '·no'' on Americans instead of talking about the give way to an honorableness, a pro theRe Articles of Impeachment. thing-s that Americans care "about: pre ductivity, and a time of working to Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. it is scription drug coverage. the high cost gether. my plea.sure to yield 1 minute to the of prescription drugs, the high cost of Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I con gentleman from Maryland (Mr. healthcare, Kecuring our borders, keep ing our economy going? These are the tinue to reserve the balance of my BROWN). time. thing·s we should be talking: a.bout. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam □ 181" No, inRtead, we are g:oing to pass this Bvea.ker, I yield 30 seconclg to the gen Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam resolution tonight and then go home tleman from Alabama (Mr. ADERHOLT). Speaker, when I was commissioned a for Christmas vacation instead of doing Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, second lieutenant in the United States the job of America. Army, I swore an oath to support and Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I con today, a duly elected President is being tinue to reserve the balance of my impeached tiy the House of RepreP.enta defend the Constitution, and I have done so 13 times in m._v 35 years of pub time. tives. Uy the Democrats compelled by Mr. COLLINS of Georg.'ia. Madam pa.rtisan3hip and not by the facts. lic service. That oa.th means every thing: to serve and fig'l1t for our coun Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the g-en I am proud to 3tand. here with Presi tleman from Kam;as (Mr. W.'.TKINS). dent Donald Trump, and I plan to cast try and to protect and promote our val Mr. WATKINS. Madam Speaker, I my vote &gaim1t both Articles of Im ues. was a politieal newcomer before this; peachment. Yet, President Trump betrayed his and just like President Trump, perhaps It is not that the President abused oath. He abused his power. the im like me, he was naive to think that his power. It is my colleagues on the mense power of the Presidency. He this HouRe, that in the l)eople'tt House. other side of the aisle who are abusing threatened our elections by inviting everybody was true and just. That is one of the most pawerful tools that has foreig-i1 interference. He choRe inves not the ca::-ie. been entrm,ted to Congress in the Con tigating- a politic.al rival over defending Democrats weren·t saddened Uy this stitution by our Founding Fathers. our national security. sullen day. They weren't waiting for all Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I con So, today, we must uRe our power, of the evidence. This was always al>out tinue to reserve the balance of my the extraordinary pm.:ver endowed. by politics because they loathe the Presi time. our Constitution and entrusted by the dent because he doesn't play by their Mr. COLLINS of Georg·ia.. Madam people: the power to impeach. We must beltway rules. Speaker. I yield 30 RecondS to the gen hold President Trump accountable or I should have known. tleman from Texas (Mr. OJ.so,). else we will be complicit in under But the fact is Kansas is better. the Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, Web mining our democracy, our seuurity. U.S. is better, and the world is better ster's illction.a.ry defines the star cham and our dignity. because of Donald Trump. ber as · ·characterized by secrecy and His conduct demonstrates his Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I con often being irresponsibly arbitrary and unfitness to serve as Commander in tinue to reserve the balance of my ol):pre3sive.·· Chief and warrants removal from of time. Sadly, my Democratic friends have fice. The oath I took: as a Member of Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam turned this Chamber, the l)eople's Congress is the same I took as a sol Speak:er, I yiel December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12181 This is based on hearsay that was crats really want to impeach the Presi he can't be questioned and talk about made by partisan witnesses behind dent. or Democrats don't like the it. That is the queRtion, and that is the closed doors. This impeachment is a President. chord that haR been struck. sham. Madam Speaker, and it ha~ di But what they can't say is that this Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to vided this country. President's conduct was ethieal. the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Congress' wastec1 time on this im What they can't say was that this ARMSTRO~G ). :peaehment would have been better 1rned President's conduct was legal. Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, to address issues that are facing Amer What they ean't say was this Presi once President Trump was sworn in, icans, like securing our southern bor dent's conduct was constitutional. Article3 of Impeachment were intro der. the opioid epidemic. or estab What they can't Ray is this President duced almost immediately. In 3 years. lishing· a constitutionally mandated has upheld his oath of office. House Democrats have introduced 10 budget. No, they can't say that. All they can resolutions, getting support of over 100 Now American workers have to wait say is: We don't like the process, or, of their Members. and all of that before until the Senate trial to pass USMCA Our colleagues are just too happy to the July 25 phone call. that the President and the House Re impeach. or, It is overturning the will But also during that time. the Russia publkans have been working on for of the public when it is a Republican consr,iracy hoax was exposed. Obstruc over a year. President. tion of justice charg·es were abandoned I am disappointed in the path Con Interestingly, my colleagues who after the Mueller hearings !ell flat. gTeBR chose to go down. supported the impeachment of Bill So, after 2 years. 19 lawyers, 40 - Mr. SCIDFF. Madam Speaker. I re Clinton did not think it was over agents, 2,800 sub:poena.R. 500 warrants, serve the balance of my time. turning the will of the people. Appar and 17 lies in a FISA warrant ap:pliea Mr. COLLINS of Georg•ia. Madam ently. this impeachment provision only tion, they had nothing to shov.r !or it. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gen overturns the will of the people if it is Undeterred Uy the facts and uninter tleman from Arizona (Mr. GOH-AR). a Republican President. ested in governing. the beat marched Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, it is I would like to give them more credit 011. So here we are today. We have no obvious today that there ie an intense than that. quid pro quo. no briuery, no extortion. hatred by the Democrats for President What is the distinction here is these no crimes alleged in the articles at all. Donald Trump. riousness of the conduct. This remedy But don·t worry. because we have a Why do they hate the man so much? was put in the Constitution for a rea brand-new, 632-page report alleg-ing- all Maybe it is because of the out-of-con son. It is not an unconstitutional rem kinds of things. some for the very tirst trol government g·one wild: the abuses edy. It is :part of the Constitution. time. of FISA, the almp,es of the FBI. the The only way you can conceive of This isn't a somber. solemn :process. abuses in the State Department. this remedy as being unconstitutional This is a political drive-by. They just Maybe it is ,iust the previous admin is if you believe, as the President does, want President Trump gone. iRtration they are trying to cover up. that he is the state. that anything that But this never-ending· march toward It is sad. This is a shameful act in opposes him opposes the state and is, overturning· the 2016 election has con what we are doing to<.lay. by definition, anticonstitutional. sequences. hecauRe you are telling 63 Shame on the Democrats. Shame on But that, of course. is nonsen::-e. But million voters that you don't respect them for pursuing- this. their vote. I ask every Member to vote '·no" and it is more than nonsense; it is dan gerous nonsense. Voters in States like mine, who not to take notice of who votes for these that long ago used to send Democrats Articles of Impeachment. MaUam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington to this aug"Ust Chamber but. recently. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I re have found no home in the Democratic serve the balance of my time. (Ms. SCHRIER!. Ms. SCHRIER. Madam Bpeal H12182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 relying on presumptions, hearsay, and like Hunter Eiden, Joe Biden. and oth cause we have lowered the bar to im 3 percent of the story trying• to connect ers. peach a President who continues ta dots that actually aren't connected. Then there \";'as the House Judiciary give us an economy that not only is Some inconvenient truths: President debacle where Schiff couldn't even growing. but growing at levels that we Zelensky didn't know that there was a show up to :pre.sent his reports. He had have never seen in the history of our hold on aid until August 29. The aid to have one of his staffers :present it for country. When we look at unemploy gets released shortly thereafter, and him. This impeachment is ripping our ment at a level that is truly remark Ukraine didn't have to do anything in country in half. It is fatally flawed on able. they want to im:peach. order to g·et that aid released: Presi the process. the substance, the inten But it is another sa December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12183 they have all the testimony and evi was used politically by the :Darty that we assert this truth, uphold our constitutional dence necessary to impeach right now. had the most votes. Today the Demo duty, and hold President Trump accountable But rig-ht now. down the hall. Demo crats are the Founders' worst night for his actlons. To fulfill my oath of office and crats in the Senate are saying the mare come true. I think: most Ameri protect the Constitution, I will vote to impeach exact 0:DP0Rite. They are com.pla:l.ning cans are :orobably wishing they could President Donald Trump. they need more evidence and more tes impeach the Democrats. President Trump abused the power of his timony, because Senate Democrats To them I say: You can next Novem office when he solicited help in the 2020 elec know that House Democrats have built ber. tion from Ukraine. He did this not to root out them a house-of-cards impeachment, Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. corruption or with our nation's interests in an impeachment built by the same think, when the hiRtory of this time is mind, but to gain a personal, political advan Democrats who told America: Trust us, written, it will record that, when my tage in the election. The President withheld President Trump committed trea.~on; colleagues found that they lacked the $391 million in congressionally-approved mili he is a Russian agent. and we have got courage to stand up to this unethical tary aid for Ukraine until it agreed to inves evidence~which, of course, proved to President, they consoled themselves by tigate his political rival. This corrupt scheme be totally false. attacking those who did. put at risk Ukraine's security as well as our To quote the favorite catchphrase of Madam B:oeaker. I yield to the gen own national security, and it undermined the one Member or this House, they got tleman from California (Mr. TAKANO) integrity of our elections. !t is a clear abuse of for a unanimous consent request. power. ca1r::g_. the way. those same Demo (Mr. TA.KANO asked and was given President Trump then obstructed Congress, crats said: Trust us. the FISA lav,r and permission to revise and extend his re which sought truth and accountability. He or court weren ·t abused tJy the Obama ad~ marks.) dered the complete defiance of lawful sub ministration using a Democratic oppo Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I in poenas for relevant documents and prohibited sition research dossier against the clude in the RECORD my remarks sup witnesses from giving testimony, further vio Trump campaign and President porting' the impeachment of President lating the Constitution. This unprecedented Trump-again. totally false, and, Donald Trump. blockade has threatened our cherished system again. they got caught. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a strong of Checks and Balances. When Democrats start0d this latest believer in the American experiment and the Madam Speaker, it is time to finally hold impeachment inquiry, they said: Trust democratic norms that distinguish us from the President Trump accountable for these corrupt ns. we have not yet spoken to the whis monarchies that existed at the birth of our na~ and unconstitutional actions. We must pass tle blower. tion and from the authoritarian tyrannies that the two articles of impeachment before us Again, totally false, and they got exist today, today to make certain no one is above the caug·ht. The facts that were uncovered during the law. ! urge all of my colleagues to stand up for Badly, my Democratic colleag'UeH House's impeachment inquiry point to unlawful the Constitution and join me in voting yes. have placed their own credibility in the misconduct by President Trump-misconduct Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield handR of Members of this body who that demands that we, the Congress, hold him to the gentlewoman from Ohio (MrR. have no creclibility left, Members to account. BEATTY) for a unanimous consent re whom nobody trusts because they keep The president's egregious abuse of power quest. getting caug-ht betraying America. undermined the integrity of our elections, (Mrs. BEATTY asked and was given Unless a bolt of courage and integ· which are the foundation of our democracy, permission to revif;e and extend her re rity strikes that side of the room in and threatened our national security. marks.) the next hour, history will reflect that Furthermore, his refusal to cooperate with Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker. I in Donald Trump is the third President to the House's impeachment inquiry represents clude in the RECORD my remarks .:mp be impeached. History may also short an unprecedented level of contempt for the porting- the impeachment of Preei H12184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 I did not come to Congress to impeach the but not Republicans'. The chairman D 1845 President, but his actions have left us no wouldn't let them. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield choice. Of course. there was the whistle 1 minute to the gentleman from Illi The facts are uncontested and the truth is lllower, the anonymous whistleblower. nois (Mr. ScH::,;EmER). inescapable. with no firsthand knowle<.lge, who was Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Spealrnr. I The President leveraged the highest office biased Rgainst the President, who rise to defend the Constitution and in the !and for personal political gain. In doing worked for Joe Eiden. and who was sup:oort these Articles of Im:oeac.;hment. so, he jeopardized our national security, un never compelled to testify-the guy The President a.bused the power of dennined the integrity of our elections, and be vvho started it all. his offiee by corru:otly :outtinR his own trayed the public trust. The Framers gave This is rea.lly about that the Presi political intert1st a.head of our Nation's Congress the power of impeachment precisely dent has been Urivim:• these guys crazy security. He blocked congTessionally to protect our democracy from this kind of because he is getting- thing,·s done. He is authorized military aid to coerce abuse of power. doing what he said he was going' to do. Ukraine to launch a tihony investiga The President's pattern of misconduct out He is having· results. Taxes have been tion into his political rival. lined in the articles of impeachment, and his cut, regulation..c, have been reduced. un In the months since, he has waged a unrepentant contempt for the rule of law, employment is at its lowest level in 50 cam:oa.ign of absolute ohHtruction make it clear that he poses a dear and years. the economy is g·rowing·. against OongreRA' constitutional au present danger to the very foundations of our Gorrmch and Kavanaugh are on the thority, ordering- all Federal officials democracy. Court, we are out of the Iran deaL the to defy subpoenas and refusing to Voting to impeach the President is not an embassy is in Jerusalem, hostages are :oroduce even a sing-le document. easy decision, nor is it one I take any pleasure home Crom North Korea, and a new Ma.dam Speaker, I take no joy in to in. NAFTA agreement coming tomorrow. day's impeachment vote or that the I will cast my vote tonight with a heavy heart President's actions demand this re But guess vthat. Madam S:oeaker? sponse. This is a sad moment for our and a solemn sense of duty to protect our When you drain the swamp. the Constitution. Nation. Only twice before has the swam:o tights back. And they started House voted to impeach a President. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield attacking tbe President before the 1 minute to the g·entleman from New and never before on aceusations of election even. On July 31, 2016, they compromising our Nation's security. I Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL). opened the Russian investigation. The Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, we ho:oe. in the Senate, prosecution and FBI R:Died on four American citizens as defenBe can call and cross-examine wit are here today because of the failure of Aociated with the Trump campaign. so many to cast aside narrow ambition nesses. and the Senators will hear the The FBI took the dossier to the FISA evidence and make their decisions to uon!ront the threats standing· before court. The <.los81er they already knew us. Offered the chance to investigate ·without prejudice or prejudgment. was false, they took to the court and This is a solemn moment, but our this g'overnment tog·ether, the Presi lied to the court 17 times. dent and his tiarty stonewalled and ol> Bystem of checks and balances was de structed. We are here today because we Guess ·what, Madam Speaker? ei.~:ned for times like these. I ha.ve faith uhoose comfort over courage and ava Three days ago on national tele that our Constitution will guide us on rice over the RetiuMic. vision, even James Corney had to admit the path ahead. This is the ongoing tragedy of our the FBI was wrong·. Yesterday-! day Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Madam age. And it is ong·otng. The matter is ago-the FISA court sends the FBI a Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to the gen now ~olely in our hands and belongs to letter and says: Straighten up and get tleman from California (Mr. Nmrns). us and us alone. The buck has stopped. your act tog'ether when it comes to the Mr. NUNES. Madam Stiea.ker, as th0 Democrats now admit, their attempt to Many have invoked the judgment of FISA application process. Think about this: the attacks started remove the President began on history as an anecdote to this threat. Trump's Inauguration Day. When the but the threat to democracy is here then, and they have continued rig·ht up until today. But. Madam Speaker, I Democrats' semi-official mouthpiece, today, not tomorrow. The Washington Post, declared: ·'The We need not and we must not await want you to think about something: the verdict of time for Donald Trump's the individual who said that the FISA cam:oaig·n to impeach President Trump h&S tleRUil." almse o! :oower and obstruction. process waR fine, the dossier was fine, and the Russian inveRtigation was fine, For years, the Democrats tried to We can offer thn.t verdict right now, expel the President with the prepos and we are. that same individual ran the impeach ment process. That same individual's terous accusation that he was a Rm~ Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam sian agent. As detailed by Inspector Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gen staff met with the whi~tleblower, that same individual is the only g·uy in Con General Horowitz, dishonest intel tleman from Ohio (Mr. JORD.AX). ligence officials used fake allegations Mr. JORDAN. Madam S:oeaker. the gress who knows who the whistle blower iB for sure. and that same indi spread by the Democrats to gain ati Democrats forg'ot two key thing·s. They proval of a spying operation ag·aim1.t forgot about the facts, and they forgot vidual released the phone records of the President's personal attorney, re the Trump campaign. about fa.irneHB. Four facts will never As they falsely accused the Trump change: We have the call transcript, no leased the phone records of a member campaign of colluding \Vith Russians, quid pro quo: ·we have the two guys on of the tireKs. and released the phone the Democrats, themselves, colluded the call who have repeatedly sai December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12185 beforehand with the Democrat,:,;. The country faces even greater long-term Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam 1 Democrats then prevented Cotl,":·rese risk if we fail to respond. Speaker. I yield H ~ minutes to the gen from interviewing the whistleblower We cannot excuse a President who tleman from Georgia (Mr. FERGUSON). while conducting bizarre secret Ue:tiosi feels entitled to disregard or break the Mr. FERGUSON. M&dam Speaker. tions and ~electively leaking teAti law with impunity. We are a nation well, here we are, on the verge of doing mony to discredited media hacks. The built upon the rule of law. not the law exactly what America doesn't want us Democrats showcased the most useful of rulers. to do and what they feared that you witnesses in 1mblic hearingR that some The Framers gave us their best, effort would do. how reduced support for impeachment. in 1787, and, indeed. it was an extraor In 2016, L along· with 63 million It is not eas:v to make a coup at dinary one. The Constitution they set American voters representing 304 elec tempt borin~·- but the Democrats found down wasn't perfect, but it founded a toral college votes, went to the :Dolls. a way. As it turns out, the American republic that haB endured and thrived and we raised our collective political people don't think a routine phone call with exceptional stability. mid(lle finger to D.C. and voted for with a foreign leader is a good basi,s for As the late Senator Moynihan point Donald Trump. folks like my father, OURtinj: a U.S. Pre~ident. ed out, only two <-;ountries in the world who watched this place destroy his pro The DemocratR afao put forth ever both exh~telt in 1800 and have never had fession of communi t:v banking: my changing aucm,ations Rga.inst the their governments changed l>y violence friends and family in the textile indus President. including cam:paig'n finance since then: the United States and Brit try who saw their way oflife destroyed violations, quid pro quos. election in ain. Only eight g-overnrnents have ex following NAFTA; Americans in rural terference. bribery. and extortion. isted since 1914 and have not had their areas whose opportunity and life and Eventually. they ended up with the form of government cha.ng·ed by force voice have been drowned out by the 1idiculous chargeR we consider today. since then: the United States, the screams of socialist Democrats; our abuse of power. an utterly meaninglesR United Kingdom. Australia. Canada. friends and neii,:'hbors living in poverty term. and obstruction of Oongress. One New Zealand, South Africa. Sweden, and crime. broken-down, J.)roject-based Democrat has pronouni::ed the Presi and Sv.ritzerland. public housing, who for generations dent guilty simply because he won·t co The innovative system of checks and have been told by this place: "This is operate with their plan to railroad balances that they constructed, with the separation of tiowers. Urought the best that we think you can do. Here him. is your check. God bless you, Now, But the only thing President Trump about and successfully negotiated a move along.,. Those voters. is g'uilty of is beating Hillary Clinton. generation of challenges that we have Now you 1,vant to remove our voice sustained. The Democrats refuse to accept that In the very first week that the Fram from offlce. Well. our voice will be loai:i, and now they are inUioa.ting they ers btlga.n crafting' this Uluevrint for heard. I stand here determined to make will continue their impeachment ef America's freedom and sta.bility, nego sure that it \\rill be because we will forts even after this one fails in the tiations immediately started on im fight back against this uorrupt and un U.S. Senate. peachment. No government in the fair imJ.)eachment procesR. Madam Speaker, after all their de world at that time exposed the head of How da..x·e you. the liberal elites. the ceit, phony investigations, g·inne<.1-up government to impeachment, but condescending bureaucrats, and every crises, and manufactured outrage. the other kind o! swamp critter in this America waR to be different. Democrats need a long period or reha In the view of the Framers, impeach godforsaken J.)lace tell the American bilitation. They must learn how to do ment is in no way a constitutional cri public who the President should be. Aomething productive for the American sis. It is a process that the Framers That is the job of the American voter. people instead of ripping the country wiRely judg·ed that we would sometimes not yours. apart in their lust for power. need. This evening is one of those rare This whole flipping rodeo is a sham Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman moments. and a shame. and it will not be forgot for his remarks. Madison worried that, one day. the ten. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to country would elect a President who Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield the gentleman from Massachusetts "might pervert his administration into 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wa.Rh (Mr. Nr~AL). chairma,n of the Ways and a scheme of peculation or oppression. ington (Mr. HECK), Means Committee. He might betray his trust to foreign Mr. HECK. Madam Speaker. this Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, it is powers:' George Ma.son asked the Dele week, Americam, are busy finishing- up deevly unfortunate that we have to un gates: "Shall any man to be above jus their Christmas shopping mot1tly for dertake this impeachment proceeding' tice? Above all. shall that man be their children. or if they are luck:v that unfolds this evening·, but the part allove it who can <-;ommit the most ex enoug:h to have them, their gTand we play in this process iR not optional. tensive injustice?" children. And high school and college Among other things. as the Intel Of course not, because having' just students are taking final exams and lig'ence Committee and Committee on thrown off one King, they would never sweating out the results. the Judiciary have painstakingly docu consent to anoint another one. Amer That g·ot me to thinking about those mente<-t, the President has indeed ica firmly rejected. the notion of divine \•;ho follow and what our obligation is ahused his authority, and he has indeed right. to them, and that got me to thinking obstructed justiue. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The about those who came before and how He threa.tene<-1 to withhold co1~srres time of the gentleman has expired. they might have seen their oblig·ation Riona.lly appropriated U.S. taxJ.)a.yer Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield to us, people like my grandfather. who dollars from an ally under attack from an additional 30 seconds to the gen our family believes literally was born Russia unless they agreed to interfere tleman. on the boat on the way over here from in our election on his behalf. He has ex Mr. NEAL. Article I of the Constitu Germany, or my father, who fought in pressed no remorse, and he continues tion presc.:ribes Con~rress as the first World War II againAt the very people to maintain that his behavior was branch of government. Just as impor that his grandfather had left. ''J)erfeet:· while simultaneously ob tantly, let me quote Speaker Rayburn, We are all here today. all of us, be structing legitimate congressional who was asked: How many Presidents cause someone before us Racrificed so oversight and subpoenas and blocking did you serve under? that they could journey here and build members of his administration from Btieaker Rayburn answered: None. I a new life in this unique land. We are providing truthful testimony to inves served with seven Presidents of the here today because those immigrants tigators. United States. and their children were dedicated not His actions are so far beyond the pale Impeachment is reserved for mo just to the land of America. but to the that they have left us with no remain ments of ~:rave dang·er when the con idea: freedom and o:p:portunity seuured ing recourse exceJ)t impeachment. and stitutional order becomes dangerously by self-government, choosing our own so we shall impeach because, as drastic out of balance. moments like this one. leaderR in free and fair electiom-1, and and as unwelcome as this step is. our That is ;,vhy I will vote to impeach. the rule of law under the Constitution. 26662 H12186 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The □ 1900 lated more by the comJ,Jarative time of the gentleman has ex:Dired. Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam strength of parties, than Ly the real Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from demonstrationR of innocence or guilt." an additional 30 seconds to the gen Arkansas (Mr. CRA\\'FORD) for a unani Ma.dA.m Speaker, our Democratic col tleman from Washington. mous conRent request. leagues have be,m working to remove Mr. HECK. Thi:-\ idea of America is in (Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was this President since the da.y he was peril. broug·ht al)out so by this Presi given permission to revise and extend electe December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12187 Mr. Trump has allowed foreign pow I threatened to subpoena President Trump's Mr. COLLINS of Oeor~ia. Madam ers to interfere in our dom1:1stic affairs. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to his face in Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from He has enda.ng·ered our national secu the East Room of the White House during our MiRsissippi (Mr. PALAZZO) for a unani rity and our democracy itself. Madam investigation of the opiold crisis, We eventually mous com,ent request. Speaker, for those reasons, we must worked it out and got to review the data we cMr. PALAZZO aslrn<.l and was given impeaeh this President. sought. Not once did ! think about impeaching permission to revise and extend his re Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam the President over this matter. mark::-.) Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from The anti-Trump crowd has weaponlzed im Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker. I op Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) for a unanimous peachment and converted it into a partisan pose the Articles of Impeachment, and consent request. tool, something one of America's founding fa I include my statement in the RECORD. (Mr. WALDEN asked and was given thers-Alexander Hamilton-warned against. Madam Speaker, as the Democrats con permission to revise and extend his re The American people elected President Trump tinue suppressing Republicans' right to speak marks.) to shake things up in Washington, D.C. And out against the ridiculous impeachment in Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker. I op that's precisely what he's done. quiry, I was unable to provide remarks during pose this resolution an impea.ehment, Lower taxes and less oppressive regulations the debate in the House on the two articles of and I include my statement in the would not have happened under a Clinton Ad impeachment today. I now ask my colleagues RECORD. ministration, Hillary Clinton would not have on the other side of the aisle why they chose Madam Speaker, President Donald Trump is stood up to China as President Trump has. to silence not only members of Congress but unique in the history of the American presi She would not have demanded and gotten a also our constituents. The responsibility of im dency. No one has led as he has. His success new and better trade deal with our friends to peachment is not one I take lightly. ! am dis and his style have frustrated his opponents. the north and south, As for the Russians, appointed the Democrats continued ramming Remember back to the fall of 2016 when she's the one who led the "reset" with Russia this baseless impeachment through the House pundits and politicians on the left lectured that offended our European ames and played without hearing from every single member of Americans about the historical need to accept into Putin's hand. Congress. Had I been provided the oppor the outcome of the election? Then Hilary Clin We've never had a better economy or lower tunity to speak before the House, I would have ton lost Some began undennining and attack unemployment in the modem era. We're the shared the following thoughts. ing the President before he had even taken of envy of the world. America ls standing up to l rise with a heavy heart for our nation fice. Others called for his impeachment today, Meanwhile, we now know-as a result of our competitors and enemies. We're getting new and better trade agreements and bringing Later this evening, House Democrats will the Horowitz investigation-that some in the force a vote on the weakest articles of im FBI engaged in nefarious actions to inves more jobs back to America. We've never had a President lean in more peachment this legislative body has ever seen tigate the Trump campaign, They lied to and to get lower drug prices or make our allies in an attempt to overturn the fair and lawful misled the FISA court in an incredible abuse keep their promises to help pay for their na election of Donald Trump. of power by a government agency, Civil lib tional security. Since the day President Trump was inaugu ertarians are rightly outraged by what oc President Trump is doing exactly what he rated, Democrats have made it their sole pur curred. Laws designed to protect America promised, and that includes violating the polit pose to impeach this man, but for what? No from foreign terrorists were misused to spy on ical norms of the Washington, D.C. swamp. facts have been presented to substantiate a an American presidential campaign. And for that, the left wants to send him pack single allegation made by the liberal majority. The false narrative of the Trump campaign ing. Simply put Mr. Speaker, the Democrats in colluding with the Russians dominated the first In facts matter, we should not impeach this Congress do not care about free and fair elec two years of the Trump presidency. ! sup president, but instead get back to work solving tions. They do not care about the will of the ported the appointment of Mr. Mueller and re the problems facing American families. American people. They care about obstructing peatedly stood up for the independence of his Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam the work of a great American president with investigation, I wanted the facts. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from whom they disagree. The Mueller investigation spent years and South Carolina (Mr. NORMAN) for a The articles of impeachment before the millions of taxpayer dollars and came up unanimous consent request. House today, fall significantly short of an im empty. That report produced nothing impeach (Mr. NORMAN asked. A.nd. was p;iven peachable offense. This vote sets a horrible able, or the articles of impeachment would in permission to revise and extend his re precedent that any majority can undo an elec clude the findings of that report, marks.) tion based on personality conflicts and policy For me, overturning the outcome of an elec Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I op disagreements. tion demands two things: A bipartisan and fair pose this resolution. and I include my The Democrats have entirely disregarded process to detennine wrong doing, and a statement in the RECORD. process and procedure by blatantly ignoring criminal offense worthy of overturning the out Madam Speaker, Today ! have heard my the notion that all are innocent until proven come of the voters' will. Neither threshold has Democratic warn that our Republic is in a con guilty-the president is not guilty of obstruction been met in this case. stitutional crisis, Yet the only crisis I see is the of Congress, and he is not guilty of an abuse With a clear conscience, I will vote against crisis of one party unable to accept its defeat of power. both articles of impeachment When you lost, you called for the abolish The president making efforts to curb corrup Read the articles of impeachment "Abuse ment of the Electoral College, to redraw the tion in a country well known for corruption is of power" and "obstruction of Congress," are electoral map, and now for Impeachment not quid pro quo; it Is good governance by a the charges. Neither of these are criminal vio You claim to be the Defenders of our Con~ chief executive dedicated to doing right by the lations. This isn't perjury or burglary. stitution, but is there any article you would not people of this country. Every administration-Democratic and Re shred to gain power? Make no mistake about it, when the work of publican-pushes back against Congress' re But if we pretend for a second that you are this House is done, and the Senate votes to quest for witnesses and information, The Con sincere about the dangers to our Republic, ! dismiss these charges, the other party will stitution enshrines this separate-branch con am left wondering: continue to obstruct and slander the president flict. Congress doesn't like being told no. At Why would you not follow the historical at every tum. times we've sued over it. It's the tension our precedent of impeachment processes? My constituents and I agree that the presi founders designed into the competing Why would you not have an open and fair dent is changing the face of America for the branches of government Work it out, or go to investigation? better. While some on the other side may not the courts< But in this case, they truncated the Why would you rush through the entire like his straight-forward manner, it is hard to timeline to exclude a judicial review. They an process? argue that our country is not better because of nounced the outcome before the investigation In other words, if you are so concerned with him. was completed, the fate of our Republic, why on earth would The Democrats have forgone due process I voted to hold President Obama's Attorney you play politics with it? in an attempt to fulfill their electoral short General in contempt of Congress for refusing The truth is, yours words do not match your comings. to turn over documents related to the "fast actions. When my colleagues on the other side of and furious" fiasco. Congress sued and won As you pretend to cry about the state of our the aisle want to find reasons why they lost in this case, But Republicans never seriously Republic, save a few tears for the state of 2016, they should not look beyond the con thought about impeaching the President your own party. fines of their own caucus. 26664 H12188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE December 18, 2019 I encourage my colleagues to give up this tisan;' and today, none of those are true. In Mr. COLLINS of Georg·ia. Madam charade, get back to leading, and move past actuality, there is one thing bipartisan about Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from personal vendettas against a duly elected this impeachment: the opposition to it North Carolina (Mr. Benni for a unani president There is a reason why only three presidents mous consent request. The majority party could take some lessons have gone through thls before-it is supposed (Mr. BUDD a.eked and was given per from our president. Let's put Americans first to be an exceedingly rare occurrence. The mission to revise and extend his re and get back to taking care of our country. founders warned against a single party im marks.) Mr. COLLINS of Georg'ia. Madam peachment because it would divide the coun Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I include Speaker. I would ask the gentleman if try-and that is what we are seeing right now, in the RECORD my opposition to these he is ready to close. we are seeing Democrats weaponize the im Articles of Impeachment. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I have peachment process and I am worried for the Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I yield a few more speakers. precedent this will set for the future. 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Mr. COLLINS of Gt!or;ria. Madam The majority has wasted the Fall by being Mexico (Ms. HAALA~D). Speaker. I reserve the baia.nce of my solely focused on impeachment-leading us to Ms. HA_>\.LAND. Madam Speaker. I time. pass two continuing resolutions, miss impor stand before you as a Representative of Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield tant deadlines for the NOAA, and leave fund New Mexico. a place where we believe 1 minute to the g·entleman from New ing to the last minute. ! believe we need to be in dignity and respect for all. In Con York (Mr. ESPAILLAT). focused on solving problems and working on gTess, I have been fighting for them. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker. if solutions for our constituents; the American We have been wofking to make you live on Lenox A venue in the vil people are sick of this partisan stalemate. I healthcare more affordatlle, education lage of Harlem in my district, you are hope in the beginning of the next session we acceRsible, and move our country for not above the law. can get back to the real issues-finding a bi ward for the people. If you live on Webster Avenue in the partisan solution to lowering the price of pre But today, this President has forced Bronx part of my distrid, you are not scription drugs, creating an infrastructure us into a Rerious debate. We are talking above the law. package, reforming our broken budget proc about a President who used the power If you live in Washington Heights, ess, and expanding access to broadband in of the Presidency for his own political the immigrant neighborhood in my dis rural areas. gain, riRking our national security, and trict, you are not above the law. Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Spealrnr. I yield putting the integrity of the next elec So I submit to you. if you live at 1600 1 minute to the g·entlewoman from tion at risk. Pennsylvania Avenue, you are not Cfl.li!ornia (Ms. BROW~LEY ). It is a sad day when a President above the law, and you will be held ac Ms. BROWNLEY of California. shows complete cliRrespect for CongTess countable. Madam Speaker, as the chair of the as a coequal branch or g:overnment and PreRident Donald Trump asked the Women's Veterans Task: Force, I see, for the American people who elected Ukrainian President to ''do us a favor'· every single day, the immense sacrifice us. and look into the Bidens. That is abuse our women veteranH and all of our Na We collected the evidence, and the of:r>ower. tion's veterans have made in service to facts are indisputable. We all took an PreRident Trump used the official our country, in service to our Com oath to protect and defend our Con White House meeting to extort the mander in Ohief. our Constitution, to stitution. We have the solemn responsi Ukrainian President. That is abuse of J;Jrotect our democracy, and for every bility to hold this President account power. single man. woman. and child in our able because it is our job. President Trump ordered White country, I urge my colleagues to live up to our House staff to withhold $400 million in \Vhen the President of the United responsibility and show our fellow aid to Ukraine. That is abuse of J)ower. States used $400 million meant to pro A111ericans that no one, not even thB President Trum:r> and his staff defied tect our national security in order to President, is above the law. multiple subpoenas from Congress. cheat in our elections, he not only Mr. COLLINS of Georgia.. Madam That is obstruction of CongreRs. abused his J;)ower, he turned his l1a.ck Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from He blocked \Vitnesses from testifying: on the sacrtfice.s our veterans and their Oklahoma (Mr. MULLI~) for a unani before this body. That is obRtruction of families have made for all that we hold mou3 consent request. CongTess. so dear. That abuse of :r>ower is rep (Mr. MULLIN asked and was given No one is above the law. I cast my rehensible, and it is exactly what im permission to revise and extend his re vote for these Articles of Impeach J;Jeachment was deRigne December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12189 His words and actions show that he is ac ''No," President is doing to deliver for those tively looking to interfere in next year's elec ··Any tirecomlitions for a White men and women of this country who tion by any means necessary. House meeting?" have been left behind. We cannot stand for that kind of misconduct Under oath, he testified: --No." It is about time Aomebody stands up in our country's Chief Executive. Abuse of power, let's talk about that for Americans, and PreRident Trump is. Mr. COLLINS of Georg'ia. Madam Article of Impeachment. Madam So it is a :political vendetta. Speaker. I yield 5 minute:::, to the g-en Speaker. But H they are g·oing- to go through tleman from Louisiana (Mr. SCALISE:). George Washington Law ProfesRor with this, Madam Stieaker, impeach the minority whip. Turley. who a.dmitteU under oath that ment will not just be a stain on this Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker. im he voted against Donald Trump, spoke Democrat majority; the impeachment :pea.ohing· a President of the United to this cla.im of abuse of power. In fact, Virill be their legacy. he said: ''If you make a high crime and The SPEAKER J)l'O tempore. Mem Sta.tee. This isn't about some solemn bers are reminded to a.ddreAA their re duty tonight. Let's talk about what misdemeanor out of going to the this is really about. <.:ourts. it is an abuse of power: it is marks to the Chair. your abuse of power.'' Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield This has been about a political ven to the gentlewoman from New Hamp detta. a :DOlitica.l vendetta that didn't You are doing· :i;irecisely what you are criticizing the President of doing. shire (Ms. KUSTI H12190 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I Credible witnesses. many of whom Let us not. forget the words of John thank the g·entleman for yielding·. were appointed to office by President Locke. so influential to the Founders Madam Speaker, I have had the Trump, have corroborated the details of our Republic. John Locke, a mil honor of serving in this House for over and timeline of his abuse of Presi lennia ago. said this: ·'Wherever law 38 years. I have served during six Presi dential power, which formR the basis of ends. tyranny begins.·· dencies. I have been here through mo the £1.rst Article of Impeachment in □ 1930 ments of tremendous prog-ress and ter this resolution. I will not recount all of rible tragedy. I have seen periods of the witnesses or abuser; that have oc This impeachment asks whether we rank partnership and patriotic bi'pa,rti curred. are still a republic of laws, as our sanship. I have seen our two-party sys I congratulate my colleagues and Mr. Founders intended, or whether we will acce:r;it that one person can be above tem work. and I have seen it break NADLER and hiR committee and Mr. the law. down. SCHIFF and his committee for setting In America, as we have said over and Never in all my yearR of serving in forth a com:oelling case. They have over again. no one is above the law. but this g-reat inRtitution that I love and been laid out fully in the articles be only ar; long as we hold every person the vBople of my district did I ever ex fore us and by colleague:-\ in their re accountable for breaking the law, even pect to encounter such an obvious marks. a President, will that be true. wrong-doing· by a President of the What I will do is remind Americans If the House does not a.ct, if we wait Unite<.\ States. nor did I expect to vrit that the House provided President and delay, we run the riRk of Q,llowing ness such a craven rationalization of Trump every opportunity to prove Ms the President's misconduct, if we be Presidential actions which have put innocenue, but the witnesses were pre lieve it to be AO, to be repeated at the our national sec:urity at risk, under cluded from comin.e; forth. expense of the integTi ty of our elec: mined the integrity of our elections, The witnesses who had personal tiot1.<:.;, our national security, and our and defined the constitutional author knowledge did not come. either at the constitutional system of separation of ity of the CongreRs to conduct over President's request. in which he re powers. Right. fused to show up because he thought it DemocratB dlU not choose thiR im We have heard from Republicans that was a sham, as so many of you have peachment. We did not wish for it. this im:tieachment really has to do with said. or to the committees. Instead., he We voted ag·ainst it. We voted against policy differenceR or how we feel per ig•nored. congressional subpoenas for it once. we voted against it twice, we e.onally about the President, about his documents and for testimony by White voted against it three times, as re temperament or that we simply dislike House officials and ordered his subordi cently as July. him. nates not to cooperate. Perhaps they We did not want thiA. Throughout the Trmnp Presidency. coul December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12191 In 1960, Margaret Chase Smith, the "The stories of past courage can wome, or as he was called in the com Senator from Maine. a Republican, teach. they can offer hope, they can mittee, he even looked like a battered svoke bravely againRt the cancer of provide inspiration. But they cannot v,ife. McCarthyism in her :party. leading six supply courage itself. For this," Presi It is lJelow the di.'!'nity of this body of her Republican colleagues in a "Dec dent Kennedy said, "each man"-each and this majority to tear down a for laration of Conscience" ag·aim;t their woman-"must look into their own eign leader because they can't make own leadership. soul.'' their case against this one. "We are Republicans," they declared. Madam Speaker, I urg-e my fellow We have ln'oken ruleR in this House. "But we are Americans first." colleague8 in the House and, yes. in the even to this moment. Chairman SCHIFF In 1974, one Congressman took the Senate, to look into your soul, sum and the others have broken H. Res. 660 brave and principled step of becoming mon the courage to vote for our Con by not turning· over the things that the first Republican on the Judiciary Rtitution and our democracy. they Rhould be turning over. Committee to support impeaching I understand we will all not see the I still have not gotten a transeript President Nixon. same conclusion, but to do less betrays and the White House still has not got He said to his colleagues and to the our oath and that of our Founders, who ten their stuff. country: "It is not ea..9y to align myself pledged their lives. their fortune. and I gueRs to the minority here, the aR·ainst the President, to whom I g·ave their sacred honor. rules toda.y don't matter either. my enthusiastie Ruppert . . on whoRe Let us neither turn away from the You see, there is a problem here. be side I have stood in many a legislative evidence, which to me seems so clear, cause we are going· to vote on this to battle, whm:;.e aecomplishments in for nor from our good conscience. which night while breaking the rules. What a eign and dome::;:,tic affairn I have con compels us to do what, in our hearts, shameful incident. sistently appla.uded. we know to be right. But we also found a creative inter ''But it is impossible,"' he went on to Let us not allow the rule of law to pretation of minority rights. We Raw say, ·'for me to condone or ig·nore the encl or for tyranny to find its toehold. the rise of partisanship. because of the long train of abuses to which he has With our votes today. we can bear things that have been done even fur subjected the Presidency and the peo true faith and allei;rianee to the vision ther. ple of this country. The Constitution of our Founders antl we can show fu We have even seen Members smeared and my own oath of office:' he said, ture generations what it truly means in reports by drive-by political hacks "demand that I ·bear true faith and al to be Americans first. when they match phone numbers of the legiance' to the principles of law and Vote "yes." ranking member and members of the Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam press. jm1tice upon which this Nation was That oug;ht to concern every one of founded.'' he concluded, "and I cannot, Speaker. a few weeks ago just off of this floor, I said that a dark: cloud wa.-; you as much as it concerns every one in g·ood conscience, turn away from the of us. Nothing but a drive-by hit. evidence of evil t,hat is to me RO clear deRcending· upon this body. And today, But you know something? This ma and compelling·.·· because of the clock and the calendar, jority leader also just said wherever My colleagues, that Congressman's it is closing·, law ends, tyranny begins. name was Larry Hog-an, Sr. He rep It is ama-zin.._g- to me what I just heard But I will say this: In this HouRe, resented the Fifth District of Mary from the majority leader: that Mr. wherever the rules are disreg'arded, land, which I now represent. His son is SCHIFF and Mr. NADLI-JH. presented a chaos and mob rule actually beg·in, and presently the second-term Republican compelling- case for impeachment. the majority has taken that to a new Governor of our State. If this is a compelling ease for im level. When Larry Hogan, Sr .. died in 2017, peachment. I am not sure why we are It haR been said today, where is brav every obituary led with praise for his here right now. ery? act of politival courage. It is not anywhere close to compel I will tell you where bravery is found Who among us. many years from ling·. and courage is found: It is found in this now, will receive such praise as a man But you know what is interesting· is minority. who haR lived through the or woman of courage? what I have heard today. The majority last year of nothing but rules being Who will regret not having earned it? leader just spoke aml said that the broken. people being put down, ques We have talked a lot about partisan PreHident was given every opportunity tions not being· answered, and this ma differences. to come prove hiR innocence. jority saying-, Be damned with any There is one person who has spoken I tell you what, Madam Speaker, let thing else. we are going to impeach and today who is neither a member of the me have ,iust a few minutes, stop the do whatever we want to do. Republican Party nor the Democratic clock, and let me go around to the Why? BecauRe we won an election. Party. His name is JUSTIN A.MASH. who press corps and everybody here and I I guarantee you, one H12192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 There were five meetings, but when Impeachment is the most crnosequen It came before the call; it came after you look at it right now. none of which tial decision Congress can make the call: and it i::ontinues to this day. matter, because right now the dark than our men and women into President Trump provided Ukraine cloud is descending upon thiR House. Speaker PELORI tank-busting bombs. The previous ad I am fearfuL Madam Speaker, when I President of the ministration, they gave blankets. This look out into that abyss. I don·t know United She wrote the script and is the truth. what I but I tell what I do see. created an artificial timeline to make Meanwhile. the Democrat·s case is I see up a who will the details fit. VVhy else are we doing Oased on sei::ondhand opinions and put his down, even through this this just hours before December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12193 In 2016, they even dismissed his sup of his office by coercing an ally into \:\Till that be your argument? Is that t1ortere, calling' us ''deplorables.'' Now, cheating' in a U.S. election on his be how little faith you have in our democ they are trying' to disqualify our voice half. It charges the President of the racy and our Constitution? Is that how before the 2Ct20 election. They want to United States with abuRing his power poorly you defend and uphold our Con undo the results of the last election to by withholding official a.cts; by with stitution? influence the next one. holding- a White House meetinR· that But. finally. let me ask this question As I said, President Trump will still the President of Ukraine desperately that overrides it all: Why Rhould we be President when this is all over. But sought to establish the supvort of his care allout any of this? Congress will have waRted months of most important benefactor, the United I \:<.,'ill ln•ing- you to one conversation time and taxpayer dollarn on impeach States; by withholding' hundreds of that came to light, because it is not ment rather than doing wha.t the millions of dollars of military aid to a the most important, converRation, but, Ameriuan people want us to do. It nation at war in order to get that na in many ways, it is the most revealing·. didn't have to be thi?. way. tion to intervene in our election by It took _place on Sevtember 14 in Is this why we came here t,o serve, to smearing· his opponent. That is the gra Ukraine. when AmbasBa<.lor Volker sat trample on due vrocess rights. to issue vamen of the charge in Article L down vvith Andriy Yermak, the top ad 1nore sulrpoenas than lawR. to appeaHe And what is the defense from my col viser to Zelensky, and he did what he the new Democra.t-socialist base? That leag·ues? should do. He supported the rule of law, is not leadership. That is raw partisan And I have listened carefully to my and he said: You. Andriy Yermalc politic1:1, and they know it. colleag:ues for the last 8 hours, and I should not investigate the last Presi By refnsinK to acknowledge the truth have to Ray, it has been hard for me to dent, President Poroshenko, for polit or follow the factfl. by substituting par follow. But I think, when you cut ical reasons. You should not engage in tisan animosity for real demonstra throug-h it all, when you cut through political investigations. tions of innocence or guilt, and by con all of the sound and the fury signifying And do you know what Yermak said: tinuing a 3-year effort to undermine nothing, what it really amounts to is Oh. you mean like what you want us to the President, this impeachment has this: Why should we care? Why should do with the Bid.em; and the Clintons? divided this Nation without any con we care about what the President did And in that abrupt, brutal retort, we l'ern for the repercuBsions. Moreover, to Ukraine? see why we should care. because what poli ti cizi ng this process haR diHcredi ted WelL first of all, we should care he was saying is: You, America., have the United States House of Representa about our allies. We should care about forgotten what it means to uvhold the tives and could forever weaken the Ukraine. We should care about a coun n1le of law. You have forgotten what it remedy of impeachment. try struggling to be free in a democ means to say that no one is above the To again quote ProfeRsor Turley, it is racy. law. We are a strug·gling democracy, the DemocratR' rush to impeachment We used to care about democracy. We but even we know better than that. on these groundA. with unfair proee used to care about our allies. We used What is a.t risk here is the very idea. dures, that iR an "abuse of power." HiR to Btarnl up to Putin and Russia.. of America. That idea holds that we tory will right that. We used to. I know the Darty of Ron are a nation of laws, not of men. We Madam Speaker. aR I said at the be ald Reag'an used to. are a nation that believeR in the rule of ginning, we face a choiee. Do you trm>t Why should we care about Ukraine? law. the wiRdom of the people, or do you But, of course, it is about more than When we say we uphold the Constitu deny them a say in their government? Ukraine. It is about us. It is about our tion, we are not talking about a piece Fortunately, the people will have the national securit;v. Their fig·ht is our fight. Their defense of parohmimt; we are talking· ahou t a opportunity to speak up and render beautiful architecture in which ambi their verdict in 11 months. is our defense. When Russia remakes the map of Eu tion is set a_g'ainst ambition, in which 0 2000 rope for the first time since World War no branch of government can dominate To my fellow Americans, if you ap II by dint of military force and Ukraine another. That is what it means to up vrove of the way this House hB.B con fig·hts back, it is our fight, too. hold the Constitution. ducted their buRinesR, if you want to And when the President sacrifices If you ignore it, if you say the Presi see your tax dollars go forward to end our interests. our national security for dent may refuse to comply, may refuse less inveRtigations. support this im his election. he is sacrificing our coun lawful process, may coerce an ally, peachment. try for his perRonal gain. may cheat in an election because he is But if you want to restore a working That is the ,;!;ravamen of Article L the President of our pal'ty. you do not Oongress like the previous Congress Article II c'.harges the President of uphold our Constitution. You do not that listened to you and worked to the United States with obstructing the uphold your oath of office. bring the best economy this country Congress, with denying the Oongress Well, I will tell you this: I will up has ever seen and one that. once again. any witness. any do,:;ument. by telling hold mine. I will vote to impeach Don will work with the President to get all of his administration veople: You ald Trump. thingA done for you and your family, will not appear. You "'ill ignore a co Madam Speaker, I yield. back the bal then join with us in rejecting this base equal branch of government. ance of my time. leRA impeachment. And what is the de!enM to this from Ms, OMAR. Madam Speaker, on March 7, That ia what is wonderful about t,his my colleag'ueR again? It is: Why should 1788, six months after the Constitution was sy:-item of ours. We are a g·overnment we care? He is the President of our signed at Independence Hal!, Alexander Ham~ ot by, and for the :people. Always re party. Why should we care if he ignores i!ton laid out in detail the standards for im member, we work for you, not the this CongresR'? peachment in the Federalist papers. other way around. Well. I remind my friends that he Impeachment should, quote 'proceed from Now. I will say this strong'er and with will not be the laRt President. There the misconduct of public men, or, in other more conviction than I have ever said will be another Presid.ent. and you may words, from the abuse or violation of some it before: In this time of great trial and be, one day-although you do not a.ct public trust,' Hamilton wrote. tribulation. may God bless America. like it-you may one day be in the ma Donald Trump has without question met Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam jo1ity. and you "'ill want to hold a these standards. Speaker. I yield back the balance of President accountable. These words from our framers-they don't my time. What will you say when that Presi only serve as guidance for people in this Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker. I yield dent says: '·You are a paper tiger. You country. myself the balance of my time. have no oversight. I can ig'nore your They seive as guidance for people around Madam Speaker, after 8 hours, let us subpoenas''? What will you say? What the world wishing to build a sound system of return to where we began, with the ar will you argue? government ticleR themselves. ''Well, no, no, that was different. And they have allowed us in the United Article I charg·eR the President of the Then we were in the minority. Then it States of America, to stand for democracy and United States with abusing the power was a Republican President.'' the rule of !aw around the world. 26670 H12194 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 So as the world watches, captivated and be both the minority and majority has been a ment, "obstruction of congress," is not a cred wildered by the lawlessness of our president, bedrock of past impeachment investigations. I ible charge. I hope they are also able to see the full func am disappointed that my resolution, H. Res. Constant tension exists between our legisla tioning of our democracy as we hold him ac 667, which would have granted co-equal sub tive and executive branches of government countable. poena authority to the minority and majority, Every president I've setved with has said at With this impeachment vote, the world is was not adopted. one time or another he ls empowered to do able to see the fruits of our democracy and Instead of working to combat rising prescrip this or to withhold that When Congress dis the glory of the checks and balances pre tion drug prices, securing our southern border, agrees, we have at times taken those ques seived in our Constitution. protecting religious freedom, and reining in tions of executive authority or privilege to our Unlike the dictatorship that my family fled out-of-control government spending, my col third branch of government: the courts. But the from, in a democracy, we don't just vote. We leagues on the other side of the aisle have Democrats haven't even given President get to impeach a lawless president. been laser-focused on removing President Trump an opportunity to defend hls executive Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I speak in op Trump from office for purely political reasons. privilege through the courts, and they're de position to the unprecedented and unauthor ! want to remind those who are leading this manding that he just give up his constitutional ized impeachment of the President of the ridiculous waste of taxpayer resources that powers under Article IL United States. there will be another election in 2020. The !'m disappointed to miss these votes but not Since the day after the 2016 election, many next election is the avenue for deciding a new embarrassed. I'm embarrassed that they are of my colleagues have vowed to impeach president, not this. Throughout the history of even happening. President Trump and have since spent more this country, impeachment has been a rare Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to op than two years searching for a reason to do it. process. With today's impeachment, I worry pose the articles of impeachment which have Today, they have brought forward two arti that in the next 230 years of our republic, it been produced by this flawed process, which cles of impeachment based on unfounded ac will be rare that a president is not impeached. was based on hearsay and testimony largely cusations of abuse of power and obstruction. On behalf of my fellow Tennesseans, and collected from a closed-door, one-sided inves Despite a lack of evidence, an unfair proc on behalf of my constituents ln the Sixth Dis tigation. ess and no bipartisan support, my colleagues trict of Tennessee, ! stand with our President !n fact, the only witness we heard from who across the a!s!e have barreled toward im and Commander-in-Chief and will vote "no'' on had direct knowledge of the conversation in question, testified that President Trump did not peachment, ignoring or delaying key priorities both articles of impeachment. like the US-Canada-Mexlco Agreement along Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, long before want a quid pro quo and confinned that the aid to Ukraine was released without the the way. today's votes were scheduled, my wife Karen This is a sad day and the fact remains that and ! made arrangements to visit our son launching of any investigation that the Presi dent's detractors say he was seeking. this effort seeks to overturn the 2016 election Joshua in Tanzania where he's se1Ving in the The two articles of impeachment in the res not based on evidence, but on a disdain for Peace Corp. At the White House last week ! olution-abuse of power and obstruction of President Trump. infonned President Trump that ! would not be Congress-are broad and cite no specific ! will vote against the articles of impeach present for these votes, and he was sup crimes that the President committed. The ment before us because I think the American portive of me visiting my son. told him I did ! House Democrats are basing the entire im people deserve better from the House of Rep not support his impeachment, and I have re peachment on hearsay testimonies grounded resentatives. quested that this statement of my reasons for on absolutely no evidence of a crime. So on behalf of hardworking Kansans ln the opposing both articles of impeachment be en However, last week we had a look at some Fourth District and Americans across our tered into the Congressional Record. real wrongdoing. We found out from the Jus country, I call on my colleagues to vote I've been to Ukraine twice this year. I was tice Department's Inspector General that the against articles of impeachment and focus on an obsetver of the second round of the Presi investigation into whether President Trump priorities that matter like growing our econ dential election on April 21, 2019. ! returned colluded wlth the Russians was based on omy, supporting our veterans and military, with a bipartisan Congressional delegation fraudulent information filed with the secret lowering prescription drug costs, and helping from September 28 thru October 5, 2019 right court. The FB! was found to have withheld ex Americans prepare for jobs and retirement. in the middle of this supposed controversy. culpatory evidence and senior FB! leaders That's what the American people sent us We met with many people. We met with our were found to have manipulated facts in order here to do and it's time we got back to work embassy leadership. We also met with the to support this false collusion narrative, justify and beyond this shameful impeachment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister and Minister of De their investigation and expand it. This hap Mr. JOHN W. ROSE of Tennessee. Madam fense. We had a chance to visit our soldiers pened on multiple occasions. Speaker, I rise ln strong opposition to this par who are helping in the training mission of the While the Mueller investigation found no col tisan impeachment spectacle that seeks to ac Ukrainian military. During that time, we met lusion, some Members of Congress, like complish what President Trump's opponents with the military leadership of both countries. House Impeachment Leader ADAM SCHIFF, failed to do at the ballot box in 2016. The bed Finally, we met with members of the Ukrainian knowingly promoted this falsehood and used rock of this country is our Constitution. Article parliament. During al! these meeting no one similar tactics to engineer this impeachment !! of the United States Constitution grants our mentioned a quid pro quo. inquiry. This is unacceptable. President the necessary authority to deal with What l also know is this: The Trump Admin For the above reason, l voted to censor other nations and their leaders. istration provided the long-overdue aid to Chairman ADAM SCHIFF and will vote against This President was lawfully elected by the Ukraine, including lethal Javelin anti-tank mis~ these articles of impeachment. American people. When President Trump was siles, that had been authorized by Congress We know thls impeachment is a sham. They sworn into office, he assumed the role of our but withheld by the previous administration in know this impeachment is a sham. They know nation's Commander-in-Chief. And, as Com their misguided efforts to appease Russia. that we know it is a sham. mander-in-Chief, he has done absolutely noth Other assistance to Ukraine was temporarily We all know this shameful impeachment ing illegal. The impeachment votes today are delayed this year following the election of a began the moment the President was elected, a sad continuation of the efforts that have new president-a political outsider we knew long before he ever had a single telephone been underway since Presldent Trump was llttle about. call with any foreign government. We've heard elected. The new president, Vo!odymyr Zelenskyy, the numerous quotations by those on the The majority has wrongly denled President also addressed this issue several times. He other slde that validate that fact. And, yet the Trump the fair process that was afforded to has rejected the accusation that any quid pro other side persists in attempting to over-turn President Clinton and President Nixon at quo or any pressure was app!led to him or the the results of the legitimate election of Presi every stage of this investigation. I am also Ukrainian government. The aid was also re dent Donald J. Trump, because he dares to profoundly disappointed that the House Judici leased prior to the Ukrainian government drain a swamp to which they are beholden. ary Committee refused to hold a minority day being pulled into this political controversy. When the President calls for an investiga hearing in compliance with Clause 2(j)(I) of These observations convince me that the first tion of corruption, the other side calls it Rule X! of the Rules of the House. article of impeachment, "abuse of power," is "digging for dirt.'' When they dig for dirt, they It should also greatly concern all Americans not credible. call it an "investigation." that co-equal subpoena authority was not My experience in Congress, including during This ls a sad day for America. This im granted to the minority during this hyper-par the impeachment of President Clinton, likewise peachment is the worst case of partisan poli tisan process. Co-equal subpoena authority for convinces me the second article of impeach- tics ln the history of our Republic. 26671 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12195 Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Madam Speaker, !eased it September 11 without Ukraine ever Undoing the will of the people expressed in there is no joy for me in the impeachment announcing an investigation, a free and fair election with the proposed arti process, because I know the nature of im Multiple witnesses provided testimony that cles of impeachment, totally fails to meet the peachment is polarizing, Unfortunately, based the pause was due to the President's long legal standard prescribed by the U.S. Con on his own words, conduct, and the evidence standing concerns about corruption in Ukraine. stitution. Despite hearings and a process that from credlble witnesses, there is no other op It took for firsthand accounts from administra were egregiously flawed and unfair, there ls tion but to impeach. tive officials, such as Vice President Mike still no direct evidence whatsoever of any The first article alleges the President Pence, to see the sincerity of Ukraine's new crime. abused the power of his office for persona! President Volodymyr Zelensky. He cam Disagreement with or intense dislike for this gain. He withheld military aid and an Oval Of paigned as an anti-corruption reformer and or any other president of the United States is fice meeting from a foreign government unless made historic progress after his party took not now-nor should it ever be-grounds for they gave him dirt he could use against his over the Ukrainian parliament in August. impeachment. likely challenger to help his own re-election The Democrats' key witness-of which there Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, when I bid. The President admitted he did this. This was the only one who talked with the Presi made the decision to return to Congress, ! did conversation was in the transcript the White dent about the aid-is Ambassador Gordon so with a clear understanding of how impor House released. Two State Department offi Sondland. When pressed, Sond!and admitted tant this moment is for our country and the de cials' texts and phone calls confirmed the tran he never knew why the ald was delayed, Nei mocracy of our nation. My desire to seive has script and the President's own words. ther President Trump, nor anyone else, ever always been to help people who deseive an The second article alleges the President ob told him that aid was tied to investigations, effective voice fighting for them, structed Congress by refusing to comply with and any opinion he expressed to others about ! did not come to Congress to impeach a the lawful requests made by Congress in the such a connection was only him "speculating." president Despite the ongoing inquiry, I've re impeachment inquiry. President Trump repeat President Zelensky and his senior advisor mained laser*focused on the issues that l hear edly instructed government officials and agen Andriy Yermak, the key Ukrainians in the from my constituents most often-access to cies not to cooperate and spurn subpoenas, ln Democrat narrative, have repeatedly and affordable health care, lowering the cost of the history of impeachment in our country, this strongly denied they were ever pressured or prescription drug prices, passing common has never happened. No President or Admin given any sense that the temporary hold was sense gun reforms that will make our commu istration facing impeachment has ever cat connected to investigation requests. Indeed, nities safer, and addressing income inequality egorically denied subpoenas and refused re they were not even aware of the hold until it ln all of its forms. quests for documents, until President Trump. was publicly reported in the press. My role as the Representative for Nevada's The facts are not in dispute. The President History will judge this inquiry for the rush to Fourth Congressional District also includes impeach President Trump without direct and his Chief of Staff have admitted they did evi• faithfully preseiving and upholding our Con~ dence, in defiance of historic precedent and it and told us "we do that all the time, get over stltutton and the system of laws and norms as a one-sided political probe, The "lnvestiga• it." We must not get over it We must not !et that undergird our federal government. Our tion" was held in the most secret room in the the abnormal become the normaL We cannot Constitution clearly lays out Congress' role in Capitol. Depositions occurred on days law allow this President to "do whatever he wants" protecting our democratic institutions and the makers were out of town. The Minority was if it violates the Constitution and laws of the delicate balance that exists within it. Today, denied basic fairness and did not allow them United States. the House of Representatives is voting to up To not impeach would say to future presi to call a single witness. The administration hold this solemn responsibility to hold Presi* dents they can disregard the Constitutional au was not allowed to bring executive branch dent Trump accountable. thority given to Congress. To not impeach lawyers to defend themselves during deposi In an effort to fulfill my obligation to uphold would announce to foreign countries that tions. our Constitution and the rule of !aw, I have America's presidency is for sale. To not im This contrasts with previous impeachment paid careful attention to the investigations of peach would tell future presidents they too can inquiries, where Presidents Nixon and Clinton the impeachment inquiry in the House of Rep try to rig an election in their favor instead of could have administration lawyers attend all resentatives. The Committees of jurisdlction letting voters decide. To not impeach would depositions and hearings, ask questions, and witnesses have brought fmward evidence say our President is above the law. make objections, present evidence, and re The President and Members of Congress quest their own witnesses, Those rights were uncovering the truth of President Trump's July take an oath to the Constitution. The President denied in this inquiry, as this impeachment phone call and subsequent inappropriate be violated his oath, but! will not violate mine. process was weaponized for political gain. havior toward President Volodymyr Ze!ensky Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, for the first Opposing impeachment does not mean em of Ukraine. time in history, the House is moving to im· bracing every decision made by the adminis It has become apparent that President peach a duly•elected president without assert• tration in this case. l strongly disagreed with Trump is a continuing threat to our democracy ing a crime. Instead, they are charging Presi the hold on the security assistance that Con and danger to our national security. He dent Trump with a vague "abuse of power" for gress had appropriated for Ukraine and wrote abused the power of his office for persona! allegedly conditioning U.S. security assistance an urgent letter with the gentleman from New and political gain at the expense of our na~ to Ukraine on an investigation into an energy York, Chairman ELIOT ENGEL, a week before tlona! security; he conditioned official acts company. the aid was released. Then and now, ! believe millions in military aid and a White House This deeply flawed inquiry did not produce that unwavering support for Ukraine to counter meeting-for his personal, political gain; and clear evidence or bipartisan support. At a min Russian malign influence is a vital component he attempted to cheat our democracy and cor imum, one would expect bipartisan support for of U.S. national security. rupt our elections. And so today, I will vote in such an extraordinary measure. But the truth is, Democrats began their favor of the two articles of impeachment As a former federal prosecutor with the Pub three-year effort to impeach the President the against President Trump. No one is above the lic Integrity Section of the Department of Jus day he was sworn into office. In fact, 104 of !aw. Not even the President. tice, I approached this inquiry wlth the same my Democratic colleagues voted for impeach• The first article of impeachment charges standards 1 would have applied to any case ! ment before the phone call between President President Trump with violating his oath of of• handled during that time. During six weeks of Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky ever flee by abusing the powers of the Presidency depositions, I listened dlllgently and sought out took place. when he solicited the intetierence of Ukraine relevant facts. But the Majority, driven by a Our constitutional order demands far more ln the 2020 United States presidential election. political time!ine, lnsisted on a rush to judg than this to remove a duly-elected President. The second article of impeachment charges ment with an incomplete factual record, In Sixty-three million Americans voted for Presi President Trump with violating his oath of of stead of inteiviewing multiple people with first dent Trump, With an election less than a year fice by obstructing justice and directing defi~ hand knowledge, they settled for speculation away, Americans should decide their elected ance of subpoenas issued by the House as and innuendo. president at the ballot box, as our Constitution part of its impeachment inquiry, This is no Ultimately, my colleagues on the other side requires. longer a question of facts, It Is a question of of the a!sle failed to prove the President tied Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, duty-my duty to this country, our Constitu U.S. aid to a political investigation. Here's the U H12196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 swore to uphold the Constitution of the United Almost i 4,000 people have been killed tional security, President Trump should be im States and to serve this country. As difficult as since Russia invaded Ukraine. Withholding peached. this moment is for the country given the polit $400 million Congress appropriated to help Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ical divlslveness, preserving the integrity of our Ukraine defend herself unless Ukraine helped rise today in support of the impeachment of system for posterity is how ! can best seive the President dig up dirt on his political rival Donald J. Trump. This is not a joyous mo the interests of the people of Nevada. I hope Joe Biden was the last straw for me. People's ment. Impeachment ought to be an act that is that following this vote I can tum my full atten lives and our national security were placed at exceedingly rare. Madam Speaker, this is one tion back toward the issues that matter to Ne risk. This was more than paying hush money of those rare occasions because this Presi vada's working families. for strippers, profiting from foreign govern dent's abuse of power strikes at the very heart My mission in Washington has not changed, ments staying at resort properties, or even ob~ of our republic. and I'll continue to fight for the issues that will structing justice as laid out in the Mueller Re ! was initially one of the holdouts on im improve the lives of my constituents. My focus port. peachment, preferring first to see a strong, de• wi!! be on their stories and passing legislation The Founders fought and died for freedom fensib!e case that Donald Trump had abused to positively advance their futures. I will con and independence from a tyrannical ruler and the power of his office before endorsing such tinue to work to lower health care costs for all foreign government. Impeachment and re• a serious step. When it became clear that Nevadans, to bring down the cost of prescrip moval from office was the remedy they in President Trump abused the power of his of tion drugs, to protect our children from mind cluded in the Constitution to act as a check on fice by attempting to extort the Ukraine gov• less gun violence, and to ensure all Nevadans a President who placed himself above the !aw, ernment by withholding military aid in ex• have access to well-paying jobs and acces abused hls power for his own personal benefit, change for a political investigation, our only sible job training programs. It is the honor of and invited foreign governments to get in· choice was to move forward on impeachment. my life to serve the people of Nevada's Fourth vo!ved in our domestic affairs, especially our Mr. Trump attempted to use the power of the Congressional District and I will continue to elections. A President who flaunts the separa Presidency to subvert democracy itself. put their interests first as I work to deliver on tion of powers and checks and balances in our My Republican friends argue, in part, that their behalf, Constitution and who refuses to allow witw no crime was committed because Mr. ML BANKS, Madam Speaker, I'm pretty nesses to appear before Congress would re Zelensky claims he never felt pressure when angry. ceive our Founders' universal condemnation. asked to criminally investigate the political rival I'm angry with you, the Speaker of the Treating taxpayer money as his own to ex of the most powertul man in the world, I agree House, I'm angry with Chairman ADAM SCHIFF< tort a "favor'' from a foreign government to aid in part. These crimes were not committed I'm angry with the Chairman JERRY NADLER. him in his rewe!ection goes to the very heart of against Mr. Zelensky. Donald Trump believes I'm angry they're putting the country through concerns raised by our Nation's Founders that the power of the Presidency is his per this. when they drafted and advocated for impeach~ sonal tool to coerce the weak to do hls bid They've bastardized the tool of impeach~ ment to act as a check on the awesome pow ding. If it had not been Mr. Zelensky, it would ment and are attempting to use it to overturn ers of the chief executive. For instance, Madi· have been some other poor fellow com the votes of 63 million people. son said in Federalist No. 47, "the accumula promised by need or greed. These crimes In just a few short hours, our president will tion of all powers, legislative, executive and ju~ were committed against the Republic and the be the first president in history to be im diciary, in the same hands . . may justly be American people who belong to it. And the peached by just one single political party. pronounced the very definition of tyranny." He power of impeachment was given to this body Every person who is responsible for getting went on to say during the Constitutional Con to save us from small men entrusted with us to this point should be held accountable, vention, "the Executive will have great oppor great power. In 1787, Benjamin Franklin was Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, tonight, I will tunities of abusing his power," and further that asked this simple question: "What have we vote for impeachment. The President threat a President "might betray his trust to foreign got, a republic or a monarchy?'' I hope that ened to withhold Congressionally approved powers." George Washington's Farewell Ad my colleagues will answer as Mr. Franklin did: military aid to an ally under Russian attack un dress warned of "foreign influence and corrup~ ''A republic, if we can keep it." I will vote yes less the ally, a foreign government, agreed to tion" which leads to the "policy and will" of to impeach the President of the United States. help the President with his campaign, That is America being "subjected to the policy and will ! urge my colleagues to do the same. an abuse of power, The President refused to of another." Alexander Hamilton wrote in Fed Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I cooperate with Congress's constitutional duty eralist No. 65 that impeachment "proceeds rise today to express my support for the im to provide oversight. That Is obstruction. from the misconduct of public men , .. from peachment of Donald J. Trump. As drastic and unwelcome as this is, inac the abuse or violation of a public trust" Today's vote to impeach the President is tion would not only give this president a li The USA Today editorial board stated it per sobering. While I have deep disagreements cense to further abuse power and obstruct, fectly when they wrote in their December 12, with President Trump on immigration, health but set a dangerous precedent for all future 2019 editorial: care, climate change and other policy areas, ! presidents, that their misdeeds are immune ln hi11 thu:;g'il'lh offot·t to trade Ame1·lcan did not come to Washington to impeach the from consequences. Inaction would also seri arms Cot· foroign di1•t on Cormn vicii prMi President. I came to represent the voices of ously undermine our system of government by dent ,foe Biden and hil'I io;on Hunt.er, Trump my constituents and 1 take my duty very seri 1·<~Mmhlril'I not AO muc:h Clinton S.1'1 be December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE H12197 No one is above the law, not even the Uon of the Unitc,l St.at,es. Article 1, section truth arnl publio tHt•l. He h&l:'o disrespected. President l, dauio.c 6. and. contrary t,o hit' publk tru ... t, heliLl-lod. and Ml'ia.lly preyed upon wom1m. Donald Trump indisputably violated the Con~ he.11 -"'Yl'ltemt\tically Morned tho leuor <'-rn1 mock1.1d tho <1ie.io.hll't11, incited violenco st!tution and is, without a shadow of a doubt, 2'Pirit of t..hc Conr1titu1.-ion on a !:lei.lo va2'tly a.J.(a.inl'lt- the ma.inl'ltr«am metlia and erl licl".!, beyond a.ny proviou& occupant of tho Whit,o and encouragl'td t1.nd dil'lp]a.yt;d blgot-ry to no longer fit to discharge the duties of the Houl'!e in doing tho followlrw.:: wa.rdl!I minorttie!'I and minol'ity ·~,·kmbl!lrl:'o of President of the United States of America. L OO~TEMP'f' fH' OOKO!iBSS. Pr(~t1l H12198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 He ha~ eompromi~cd tho national intero"'t to Aniele I. ■cotion 7. ct-.uto.e 2, as Pre1'idcnt, interpreta.tioni, of lhe l•'oreign Intellii[cnce enrich h\mHy ..,,oa.lt..h un a ,ea.le unp1·eco Oeorgo W<\l' December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12199 take no vote, is in essence condoning this be nessing at this moment in history: The Presi able offenses, and the evidence presented havior that disregards our Constitution. Repub dent of the United States abusing the power of does not meet those standards. Impeachment licans may see today differently, but as we the office with a foreign country for personal is one of the most serious acts that Congress look forward, we must stand united as a Con political gain. will undertake. It is not to be taken lightly or gress in defending our democracy. They gave us a constitutional remedy. to be used as a political weapon against those For a democracy to work in a system of They gave us this remedy because the Con· you disagree with, but unfortunately, that ls check and balances, no one is above the law. stitution is not a se!f•preserving document. It where we find ourselves today. For that rea The President takes an oath of allegiance to needs people who will protect and defend it son, I will not support the articles of impeach the United States Constitution; there are no History must reflect that there are people ment and I also ask my colleagues to reflect exceptions for the art of the deal. taking that oath of office seriously and fighting on one thing: in light of what you have ob· Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Madam Speak to keep our Republic intact; that there are served about the process used to charge the er, there have been quite a few comments people who are defending the Constitution and President, are we upholding justice? from the other side about how this is partisan, fighting for the integrity of our Democratic I think not. and this is an attack, and we're coming after process; that there are people who say that Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise to Donald Trump. any President-regardless of political party discuss an issue of solemn, national impor• I don't like this President. I don't like his val who abuses the power of their high office for tance. The impeachment of a president of the ues, or his decision making, nor his policies or personal gain will be held accountable. United States is not a step we take lightly, nor the words he chooses to use. But these arti It is important for me, for my daughters, Sky with anything but the seriousness it demands. cles are not about a man. They are about the and Sage, for my grandchildren, my great But, we take it, because it is our duty to upw ACTIONS of a man. They are about the ways grandchildren, and future generations; it is im hold our oath of office, the Constitution, and in which someone elected to the highest office portant for future leaders, future Congresses, the trust that our constituents and the Amer in this country abused that office, and violated and for the historical record; it is important for ican people place in us. That is why I am vot the basic tenets of the constitutional balance the ideals of the Constitution and the core of ing for the articles of impeachment. of power. our Republic that ! solemnly cast my vote President Donald Trump's actions are a ! don't want him to serve two terms, but this today in favor of impeaching President Donald dangerous departure from his oath of office is about that. This is about holding the Presi Trump. and his duty to uphold the Constitution. As dent of the United States, whoever he may be, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, with many of my colleagues, I was reluctant to to the standards and expectations of that of I rise in support of H, Res. 755, a resolution call for impeachment because I feared it would fice. Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of further divide our country, be perceived as I say that genuinely. I would take this same the United States, for high crimes and mis overturning the 2016 election, and go to the vote for any President who abused his office demeanors. Today is indeed a solemn day for United States Senate where Republicans in that way. And any member of this body who the United States of America. would acquit President Trump regardless of fails to understand what this vote really The two Articles of Impeachment, as written the evidence. But the President's unchecked means-making clear what we expect of the and passed by the House Judiciary Com• OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, not the person actions gave the Congress no other choice. mittee, outline the findings of the investiga~ Today, the House of Representatives is up• sitting in it-is deeply and horribly mistaken. Anyone who fights for democratic values, tions done by several committees of jurisdic· holding its duty to protect the Constitution of who values the balance of power, who wants tion, charged with the constitutionally~man the United States. Our founders set up a sys to ensure the underpinnings of the greatest dated task of finding out the truth. tem of checks and balances, separation of democracy in the world remain strong for gen The truth is the President abused his power powers, and rule of law so that no person of office by obstructing the impeachment in~ erations to come, will support these articles of would be above the law. That includes the quiry; solicited the interference of the Ukraine lmpeachment as I intend to do. President of the United States. The Constitu Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, as a citizen of Government in the 2020 U.S. presidential tional recourse for "treason, bribery, or other the United States of America, the greatest ex election in an attempt to undermine our e!ec• high crimes and misdemeanors'' is clear: imw periment in democracy that our world has ever tions; and posed a threat to national security peachment 1t is a heavy price-intended only known, as the duly elected U.S. House Rep for political gain. for matters of grave consequence to our re• resentative of my home communities of the Madam Speaker, I have listened to and spo~ public. President Trump's actions meet that Coachella Valley, San Gorgonio Pass, and the ken with my constituents in my district and high bar, and that is why I am voting in favor San Jacinto Pass in California's 36th Congres throughout the state of Texas. The corrupt of the articles of impeachment sional District, and as the father to two young pattern of evidence is overwhelming. There The facts of the case against President daughters growing up in this great nation, l fore, I am voting in favor of H. Res. 755, a Trump are indisputable. On July 25, 2019, rise today in support of impeaching the Presi resolution Impeaching Donald John Trump, President Trump called Ukrainian President dent of the United States, Donald J. Trump. President of the United States, for high crimes Volodymyr Zelensky and asked him to "look By conditioning $391 million in military aid to and misdemeanors. into" 2020 Presidential candidate Vice Presi~ a foreign ally on an investigation into his polit Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Speaker, it dent Joe Biden and his son-an investigation ical rival, Donald Trump abused the power of is a fundamental idea! of our republic that solely for his own personal and political gain, the presidency for persona! political gain. He every American receives justice under the law. In the weeks leading up to that call, the Presi~ then obstructed Congress in its constitutionally As a Member of this body, we are required to dent withheld Congresslonally•appropriated mandated oversight role. In doing so, Presi uphold that ideal, and as a former judge, I was foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as a meeting dent Trump violated our Constitution, com• tasked with the same responsibility. What I between the two countries' presidents in the promised our national security, and under have seen throughout this impeachment proc White House, as leverage. The President's mined the integrity of our democratic process. ess is far from justice. abuse of power has been corroborated before This was a principled decision made with In fact, this process has lacked impartiality, the Congress by brave public servants over great reverence for the Constitution, in the respect for the United States Constitution, and the last few months. best interest of our nation, and without par fairness. When l was on the bench, I in Facing a Congressional investigation into tisan consideration. ! was compelled by the structed every jury the same way. I told them these matters, President Trump "directed the overwhelming evidence and the sacred oath l that "what someone heard from another unprecedented, categorical, and indiscriminate took to preserve, protect, and defend the Con• source other than what they directly observed defiance of subpoenas issued by the House of stitution-and by nature, our very democracy. is not evidence." Rumors and hearsay are not Representatives pursuant to its 'sole Power of When Benjamin Franklin was leaving Inde evidence under our laws, and it certainly Impeachment.,., In doing so, President Trump pendence Hal! at the close of the Constitu shouldn't qualify as evidence in this chamber. obstructed Congress's Constitutionally-author tional Convention in 1787, he was asked The evidence presented by the Majority in this ized investigation. whether America would be a republic or a case is entirely hearsay and therefore, should So, today, I will vote to uphold my responsiw monarchy, and his response was, "A republic, be inadmissible. In fact, the only direct evi· billty, outlined in the oath I have taken and the if you can keep it." dence presented to this body is the transcript Constitution. I will vote for the articles of im By voting in favor of impeachment today, I of President Trump's telephone call with the peachment. am voting to keep it. Ukraine President. Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker. I did not Benjamin Franklin and the Founding Fathers The Constitution is clear-treason, bribery, come to Congress to impeach the President envisioned the tragic scenario we are wit- high crimes and misdemeanors are impeach- But, I swore an oath to protect our country 26676 H12200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 and defend the constitution. That is why, threshold for launching impeachment pro into a political opponent, former Vice President today, ! will vote to approve two articles of im ceedings. Joe Biden. The president requested this inves peachment against this President for abuse of What mattered most in my assessment of tigation despite the fact that officials in both power and obstruction of Congress. the Special Counsel's report was whether or the United States and Ukraine have rejected In order to arrive at that solemn and somber not the Trump campaign coordinated with the accusations as baseless. conclusion, I used many of the same skills Russia to interfere in our elections-actions The president's intent in the July 25 phone that ! acquired early on as a fonner pros that, if proven, would have crossed a clear red call is clear. He specifically references both ecutor. By putting politics and emotions aside line. This concern was rooted in the history of the former vice president and his son, Hunter to focus on the underlying evidence and ap our nation, for there is no doubt that the Biden. We also know from depositions taken plying those facts to the articles of impeach Founders were fearful of foreign influence in as part of the House impeachment inquiry that ment, I found it clear that the President sub our domestic affairs. In Federalist No. 68, the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, verted our national interest for his own per Alexander Hamilton wrote: was concurrently demanding that Ukrainian of sona! and political interest The President then "Nothing was more to be desired than that ficials publicly announce investigations into repeatedly ignored and refused to cooperate every practicable obstacle should be opposed Burisma, the company where Hunter Biden with the numerous requests and subpoenas of to cabal, intrigue, and corruption. These most served as a board member, before the White the investigation by Congress, Moreover, the deadly adversaries of republican government House would agree to arrange a meeting be President proudly admitted this conduct and might naturally have been expected to make tween President Trump and the new Ukrainian refuses to acknowledge that he did anything their approaches from more than one quarter, president. Key members of the Trump Admin wrong. but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to istration's diplomatic corps testified under oath I do not take pride in impeaching a sitting gain an improper ascendant in our councils that this head of state meeting was contingent president of the United States< But as the U.S, [emphasis added]. How could they better grat upon the announcement Of these politically Representative for the central coast of Cali ify thls, than by raising a creature of their own motivated investigations. fornia, I am upholding my obligation under the to the chief magistracy of the Union?" The House investigation clearly unearthed a United States Constitution and to protect the Our Framers also understood that impeach pattern of evidence that demonstrates the cor future of our democracy. ment may be necessary to protect American rupt intent on the part of the president, his The impeachment of the President and his elections. Outing the Constitutional Conven personal lawyer, and members of his adminis upcoming trial in the U,S. Senate wlll not stop tion, James Madison argued that waiting for tration to leverage the powers of the presi us from getting things done. As I have proven an election to vote a president out of office dency to damage a political opponent and during my limited time in Congress, I will con might not be a sufficient safeguard, because strengthen the president's reelection pros tinue to work on and pass legislation that re the president "might betray his trust to foreign pects. Given that the sought-after investigation forms our immigration laws, especially for powers." Similarly, in debating the need to in was solicited from a foreign government, the Dreamers and farmworkers, promotes our ag clude a procedure for impeachment in the president's actions are a realization of the riculture, combats the effects of climate Constitution, the Framers conceived of how a Framers' greatest fears: foreign corruption of change, improves our health care system, low president might abuse his power in order to our electoral process, and a president willing ers prescription drug prices, changes the tax win an election. George Mason asked the to leverage the powers of his office to benefit code to help the middle class and small busi Constitutional Convention, ''Shall the man who his own reelection. This action crossed a clear nesses, defends equal rights, and protects our has practiced corruption, and by that means red line, and in my view, there is no doubt that values and way of life on the Central Coast. procured his appointment in the first instance, this is an impeachable act. For this reason, I Mr. GOLDEN. Madam Speaker, when I took be suffered to escape punishment by repeat will vote for Article 1 of the House resolution to the oath of office in January, I entered Con ing his guilt?" impeach President Trump for an abuse of gress prepared to work with President Trump I have argued previously that to the extent power. whenever possible and to stand up to him that my constituents consider the president's 1 did not reach this conclusion lightly. Al whenever necessary. In my first year, I have actions, most of them believe that the future of though I find that there is indisputable evi ranked among the top five of 235 House our country's leadership and direction should dence that the president solicited the inter Democrats In voting with the president. In a be detennined at the ballot box in 2020. I con ference of a foreign government in the 2020 deeply divided and partisan Congress, the op tinue to believe that sentiment, but in order for U.S. presidential election, ! believe that the portunities for agreement have often felt lim my constituents to voice their opinions on the burden of proof for part of the first article, that ited, but ! have sought in good faith to work direction of the country, the security of the the president withheld military assistance to with him as best I can. 2020 presidential election must be guaran Ukraine in order to secure the investigation of Since January, I have received many phone teed, and the integrity of the election must be Vice President Biden, will be harder to meet ln ca!!s and letters from constituents calling upon without question. That is why I find the presi a Senate triaL While I believe it is reasonable me to support efforts to impeach the president dent's most recent actions with regard to to conclude there is sufficient evidence to sup for a wide range of reasons. I have resisted Ukraine and the upcoming election deeply port the other charges in Article l and justify those efforts and maintained that the impeach troubling and unacceptable, sending an indictment to the Senate for trial, ment of the President of the United States In evaluating the president's actions, I have I also regret that the House did not package must be considered as a last resort, reserved consulted the statements of the Founders and the charge regarding the military aid as a sep only for the most serious crimes and constitu of members of Congress who spoke during arate article, rather than combining it with the tional abuses. previous impeachment hearings. I have stud president's direct solicitation of a foreign in~ Earlier this year, upon the conclusion of ied the late !aw professor Charles Black's vestigation into his political rival. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investiga monograph Impeachment: A Handbook, writ I have advocated for this change to Article tion, ! detennined that there was no evidence ten at the height of Watergate. I have consid I to House leadership, in part because ! be that the president had committed an impeach ered carefully the depositions of key wit lieve it would provide for clearer debate in the able offense, and as a result I opposed calls nesses, watched hours of the testimony pro Senate and among the general public. Why for his impeachment In my view, the Special vided in public hearings, and carefully listened exactly the Trump Administration withheld mili Counsel's report identified a pattern of conduct to the questions and statements of my col tary aid from Ukraine is a question on which beneath the office of the presidency, specifi leagues on both sides of the aisle. The length reasonable minds-looking at the same set of ca!!y: poor judgement, efforts to exert undue of my process has frustrated some of my con facts-may reach different conclusions. But influence over an investigation, and attempts stituents, but on a matter of such gravity, ! there is no such room for disagreement on to obstruct justice. However, in reviewing the have felt a responsibility to take the time nee~ one stark fact: the President of the United available facts, I did not find sufficient infonna essary to gather a!! available infonnation be States asked a foreign government to aid in tion to support impeachment principally be fore making a decision. his reelection by soliciting an investigation of cause the Special Counsel did not find ade Here is what we know: in September, the his political opponent based upon trumped-up quate evidence that the president or his cam White House released a call summary show charges, Our Founders feared exactly this sit paign team were involved in a conspiracy to ing that on July 25, 2019, just one day after uation, a president willing to illegitimately wield collude or coordinate with Russian efforts to the Special Counsel presented his findings the powers of his office against his political interfere with U.S. elections. It was my per about the 2016 election to Congress, Presi opponents in order to secure his reelection. As sona! judgement that the president's efforts to dent Trump solicited the Government of North Carolina's William Davie remarked at impede the investigation did not meet the Ukraine to publicly announce investigations the 1787 Constitutional Convention, "If he be 26677 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12201 not impeachable whilst in office, he wi!J spare that reason, I will vote against Article II of the corta.inly iti ◄ 1 not,. I 1·an for Oongrell'I LO work no efforts or means whatever to get himself House resolution regarding obstruction of Con to ]0\4'Cl' t,hi.l price of Pl'CMTlption dl'Uttfl. t,o reelected." gress. fii-;ht, for i,duoation fun(ling &nd t,o holp our family fa.rmere. And &.fl your r~:p1·<:l!lent.alivo Article II of the resolution presents a sepa To my constituents: please know that 1 am that il"o whi\t I've been fO(:ueod on. I'm :p.:tr rate charge, that the president ''without lawful deeply dismayed by the circumstances sur ticular\y proud that. over two-thirde of my cause or excuse," obstructed the congres rounding this inquiry, likely impeachment, and nf'arly :\40 l)illl'!, aro biplil.rtil'!,a,n and that I'vfl sional inquiry into his actions. While I do not coming trial of the president Indeed, my con devflloped ,,;trong relation!'!hipe acros,,; the dispute that the White House has been pro cerns about our politics and the health of our a,isle tha.t are leading to important ler;isla vocative in its defiance and sweeping in its democracy have only grown over the course tive a.ccompli.-.hmentfl.. claims of executive privilege, ! also believe of this process, The divisiveness of this im Whon I wai, P-worn into office thh! pa:,,.t ,Ja.n ua.ry, I sw01·e .\TI oa.t,h to pt·otl'lct, there are legitimate and unresolved constitu peachment inquiry has been terrible for our a.nd defr:nd the Oonfl.tituUon of our i-;re;H na.tion. 'l'tla.t ie tional questions about the limits of executive country, just as the Framers knew it would be. why in mirl-Scptember I called for an npcn privilege, and that before pursuing impeach I also believe, however, that the president's ef a.nd tran.,.pa.rent procnM to dotormint'I wheth ment for this charge, the House has an obliga forts to solicit a foreign government's involve er the Prf!l'lidont·l'I act.ionR 1,•r.;1.rrant a.1·ticloJ11, tion to exhaust all other available options. ment in our upcoming election to undermine a and if they should receive a full trial in the !t ls important to note that the House has political opponent represents a clear and im Bona.te. not attempted to enforce subpoenas for key minent threat to our democracy that cannot go On 1'):iday momini,r, t,ho HottP.e ,Judiolt1.1·y Oommittoo vott!d to fiend witnesses to the charges before the president, unchecked. I see it as my duty to vote in sup the r-cfl!olut,ion on Artir:lnl'I of lmpoachmcnt to t,bt: Hnu14-e Flnor. including those issued to Mick Mulvaney, John port of Article I in order to send a clear mes You doMrve to hoa.r from mf' diroctly in ad Eisenberg, and Russell Vought. The House sage to the president, to the country, and to vance of my vote now th&t the Oommi ttee has also failed to issue subpoenas to other the world that foreign interterence in American work i,; complfltA. key witnesses, like John Bolton and Rick elections is not acceptable, not welcomed, and Aftm· reVi('}Wing the public tMt,imony from Perry. In fact, because of a political decision will not be tolerated. In the end, I believe the non-parti,..an public Aervant!'! and offiei.tll", .:q) to wrap up impeachment proceedings as failure of Congress to act in a bipartisan fash pointod to t..bf\il' roloi, by tho Pl'0!'!i,lont him~ quickly as possible, the House recently with ion to send thls message may represent the e.('}lf.-a.PI wdl M the fina.l Hmt.-.o Jntolligenct'I drew a subpoena for Charles Kupperman, a Onrnmittnt'I rel)nrt,-I haw: tlMh1od lhd.t, this greatest threat of all to the health of our de woek I will vote senior aide to John Bolton, and ye.<- on both Artfoloe of Im House coun mocracy. pflachment. sel asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit Earlier this year, ! expressed my concern No elflcted leadm' il'I above the law. that would clarify Mr. Kupperman's obligation that a partisan impeachment would further It il'I cka1· from the tt1!'!-timony and the re to testify< deepen the political divisions in this country, port delivered to Oongre!'l1 that the Prel'lidont At the heart of this matter is a debate about and that the best recourse would be to rely on attempted to coerce a forci£'n govetnrnent into inveet\µ;a.t,in1-:· hi.<- poliUc1tl 1·iva.l by wit,h the limits of the president's executive privilege, our electoral process to litigate our dif especially in the face of subpoenas issued by holding OnnEP'('}"'fliona.lly-appropria.t,e H12202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 The sad truth is that this has been an overt firo December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12203 i,uccN~I'! of America an H12204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE December 18, 2019 ran advertisements in The Detroit News and Did President Trump's actions rise to the To describe these counts as "weak" over The Detroit Free Press and on news websites level of a threat to our democracy? Yes< Fu* states them. A partisan process, designed and social media calling for impeachment. ture generations and historians will judge us if from the beginning to achieve a desired result, People ln my district had strong opinions ev~ we did not address these dangers, I will cast brings to the Floor two counts that do not erywhere ! went, from the grocery store and my vote to protect our Constitution, our demo~ begin to meet the constitutional standard for farmers markets to church and my bagel impeachment, even if al! of the facts alleged place. cr~i~ r;r~g1~Na;~~~~/u%r:d~frn°uS~~~~~T in are assumed true. !t is a misuse-one might At the time, my constituents were focused 1998, ! voted for three of the four counts of say "abuse"-of the Constitution's impeach on the Mueller report into Russian interference impeachment brought agalnst President Clin ment poweL in the 2016 election, which they hoped would ton. Those votes were some of the most dif One final concern: the partisan process provide a case for impeachment But it wasn't ficult I have cast during my 25 years in Con used in this case degrades established bound clear. What the report did reveal-a finding gress, Impeachment ls an extreme remedy, aries of political competition that have helped that was often overlooked in the focus on the which, in effect, alters a decision made by the this nation survive intense political differences Trump campaign's contacts with Russians-is American people through an election< It was for over two hundred years. As a result, I fear that Moscow is trying to divide our country. clear, however, that President Clinton had lied that partisan impeachment efforts may well Then, in October, came reports that Mr. under oath in a judicial proceeding, a felony become just another tool in the political arse Trump and his administration withheld con• crime for which other Americans are routinely nal, expected to be pursued by whichever gressiona!ly approved military aid to Ukraine prosecuted and convicted. In my view, dis party loses a presidential election. while asking for a foreign government to in missing such a crime because the lies in~ The damage done to our constitutional proc vestigate one of hls political rivals. An inspec valved private rather than public actions or be esses and to our institutions by this hyper-par tor general appointed by Mr. Trump found that cause the perjurer was the President of the tisan, flawed process is greater than any al there was a credible, urgent and potentially United States would have undermined the rule leged harm done by the President's phone immediate threat to our national security. of law and presented a danger to our constitu call. I hope and trust that the American people No matter the party affiliation of the person tional system of government Therefore, ! in their wisdom will see that appropriate occupying the White House or the party of the voted for three of the counts, boundaries and constitutional balance are re majority in Congress, our founders built our The count of impeachment that I voted stored. Constitution on a system of three equal against ln 1998 involved "abuse of power." It Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, im branches of government, with very clear over was essentially a repeat of the perjury recited peaching a President is one of the most sol~ sight responsibilities delegated to the Con in other counts and a failure to provide infor emn and consequential decisions the United gress. The whistle-blower report required Con mation to Congress. It was also one of two States Congress can make. !tis not an action gress to investigate the facts and follow the counts that failed to receive a majority of the I or my fellow House colleagues take lightly. issue. votes on the Floor of the House, Impeachment exists to protect our democracy. News outlets seem to assume that House In contrast to 1998, the votes I make today As Alexander Hamilton wrote in the Federalist are not difficult at all. After three years of in Democrats and Republicans have been as ob Papers, the impeachment clause in the Con vestigating this President, House Democrats sessed with impeachment as they are, and stitution exists to address "the misconduct of center their case for impeachment on one that every single Democrat had her mind public men," which involves "the abuse or vio phone call between President Trump and the made up from Day 1 . But the truth is that lation of some public trust." President of Ukraine, a transcript of which has many of us on both sides have remained fo The investigations and hearings conducted been released. by the House Intelligence and Judiciary Com cused on kitchen-table issues that matter to I believe that aspects of that phone call, mittees provide overwhelming evidence that everyone. particularly discussing an investigation of a po President Trump abused his power and en While the House Intelligence and Judiciary litical opponent, were inappropriate for a presi dangered our national security when he co Committees undertook the job of gathering the dent I recognize that ignoring potentially cor facts, House leaders and other committees rupt behavior because of political prominence erced Ukraine into investigating his likely rival worked to lower prescription drug prices, pro could lead to another set of problems. None in the 2020 election by withholdlng $391 mil tect the environment, restore voting rights to theless, under the circumstances, ! believe lion in critical military aid and a White House citizens and devise trade deals that level the that it would have been best if the President meeting from the Ukrainian government. With playing field. had avoided such topics. holding this military assistance to Ukraine as it A vote as serious as impeaching the presi Inappropriate does not mean impeachable, enters the fifth year of its deadly war against dent of the United States deserves thoughtful, The Constitution sets a high standard for im Russia endangers Ukraine's sovereignty and reflective and deliberate attention. Each day, peachable conduct: ''Treason, Bribery, other safety as well as the United States' national after attending my own committee hearings high Crimes and Misdemeanors." {Article 11, security interests. and markups, meetings and events with con Section 4) A potentially inappropriate con President Trump has also issued a blanket stituents, I would come home to start my own versation does not begin to approach that order prohibiting all executive office personnel studies on the impeachment inquiry. standard, as the counts brought before us from testifying in Congressional impeachment I read testimonies from firsthand witnesses, today demonstrate, hearings, responding to subpoenas and turn parsed the majority and dissenting opinions Count one alleges "abuse of power," the ing over documents. Therefore, he has ob from the committees' reports and listened to same phrase rejected by the House in the structed the legitimate and Constitutional obli the voices on both sides. I spent weeks read Clinton impeachment The allegations relate to gation Congress has to conduct an impeachw ing the Constitution, constitutional scholars, the phone call, an investigation that was never ment inquiry when there is evidence of wrong the Federalist Papers and papers from both conducted, and a temporary delay in military doing by the President. the Nixon and Clinton impeachment proc aid being released. In spite of a last-minute at No one is above the law. The President's esses. tempt in the Judiciary Committee's report to actions leave me no choice. President Trump By the end, I was convinced: The facts allege some form of bribery, the evidence and has violated his oath to "faithfully execute the showed that President Trump and his adminis the law do not support the charge, and the Office of the President of the United States," tration put politics over country by asking a Committee made no serious attempt to prove and to, "preseive, protect and defend the foreign government to investigate a political it Instead, we are left with a nebulous, subjec Constitution of the United States against al! rival while withholding military aid that affects tive phrase that can be used to cover any po enemies foreign and domestic." Now l will up our national security. litical or stylistic difference. hold my Oath of Office to preserve and protect Further evidence showed a clear obstruction Count two alleges "obstruction of Con our Constitution and my promise to my con of Congress, Blocking key witnesses from the gress." I find it remarkable that an impeach stituents to carefully analyze all issues before administration from testifying and even intimi ment process which, in contrast to those prior, me. I will vote in favor of both articles of im dating sitting witnesses sets a dangerous has been totally partisan with no attempt at a peachment against President Donald John precedent. jointly-decided bipartisan process, would at Trump. If we don't address this abuse of power, we tempt to impeach a president for resisting Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, the arti abdicate our constitutional and moral responsi* such partisanship. In addition, I believe that it cles of impeachment introduced in the U.S. bility. Failing to address it would also condone is a mistake to essentially criminalize the In House of Representatives fulfill an obligation these actions as acceptable for future adminis* herent tensions between the legislative and incumbent upon every Member of Congress to trations. executive branches of government. defend the Constitution, protect our national 26681 December 18, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE H12205 security, and ensure our democracy is not cor eration of the facts established by the The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time rupted by a foreign power. For every Member House Permanent Select Committee on for general debate has expired. of Congress, holding the President of the Intelligence (HPSCI) and the House Pursuant to House Resolution 767. United States accountable to the Constitution Committee on the ,Judicia.ry. as well as the previous question is ordered on the and protecting our most fundamental demo reOedin~: upon my constitutional re resolution, as amended. cratic values is not a political decision based ffponsibilities as a Member of Congress. The question of adoption of the reso on loyalty or partisan affiliation. In fact, it is an I would note that the constitutional lution, as amended, shall be divided be inherent duty upon which we have sworn a sa remedy for high crimes and mis tween the two articles. cred oath. demeanors-such as abuse of :power-is The question is on the adoption of The sole person responsible for precipitating impeachment. Regretta.bly, the Presi Article I. this impeachment process is President Donald dent's severe misconduct with reR:pect The question was taken; and the J. Trump. President Trump's willful, flagrant, to Ukraine showed a complete dis Speaker pro tempore announced that and corrupt misconduct is a betrayal of the regii.r H12206 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE December 18, 2019 Thomp;;on 1CA) Trone Wat<'l'F RECORDED VOTJ:': BnldH-,nn Grirl'it.h Penc1\ Thom:t)Mlll (!-1S) Unct,,rwood W,1.t.ton Coleman Bu1kt1 Gt·otlun.1n Perr1 Tilu.~ \'ar.ra,. W,-kb Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I de Ban Gueccensure gally pnrcha&-od from a foreign p;py by Hil rn