Partisan split on impeachment for Washington state's congressional delegation
So far the reaction from Washington state’s congressional delegation on formal impeachment proceedings has been predictably divided: Democrats for, Republicans … not so much.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday called for formal proceedings against President Donald Trump over his actions surrounding aid to Ukraine and a conversation urging Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden’s family.
Here’s what the seven Democrats in the House and the two Democratic senators are saying about impeachment – along with the response from the state’s three Republicans in the House.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
Representative Suzan DelBene, 1st District
DelBene said over the summer that there should be impeachment proceedings. She reiterated that stance on Wednesday.
Representative Rick Larsen, 2nd District
Tweet on Monday:
Representative Derek Kilmer, 6th District
Tweet on Tuesday:
Representative Pramila Jayapal, 7th District
"We really now see we're facing a grave new level of lawlessness from President Trump," Jayapal told KUOW on Wednesday.
"This president called on Ukraine to essentially intervene in the 2020 election by conducting an investigation of his political opponents. He also delayed military aid that was supposed to be given to Ukraine authorized by Congress just days before the phone call with the president where he asked him to investigate Joe Biden.
"And then finally he refused to allow a whistleblower to testify before the Intelligence Committee."
Representative Kim Schrier, 8th District
Schrier represents a swing district. She has previously formally called for an impeachment inquiry: https://twitter.com/RepKimSchrier/status/1155554584699580417
Representative Adam Smith, 9th District
“The evidence is clear that President Trump withheld congressionally approved military assistance to pressure Ukrainian President Zelensky to dig up dirt on a political opponent. … It is imperative that Congress receive direct testimony from the whistleblower. I will not accept an edited transcript – refusal to provide an unredacted transcript and un-doctored recording would blatantly violate federal law and the Whistleblower Act.”
Representative Denny Heck, 10th District
Tweet on Tuesday:
HOUSE REPUBLICANS
Meanwhile, none of the state’s three Republican representatives have supported the House proceedings.
Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, District 3
Statement issued Wednesday:
“While I will continue to review additional information that is released about this very serious allegation and await the release of the whistleblower documents later this week, the phone call by itself does not present the facts to prove what has been alleged – and any subsequent congressional action related to this must be led by facts. I repeat my call for full transparency from the president so that Congress and the public can fully understood what took place.”
Representative Dan Newhouse, District 4
Statement issued Wednesday:
“House Democrats and Nancy Pelosi have devolved the People’s House into little more than a constant media spectacle. Their continued attacks on our nation’s presidency weaken our democracy and threaten our national security. I read the transcript President Trump released today of his phone call with President Zelensky. It does not contain a ‘quid-pro-quo’ deal with Ukraine. Congress should be legislating on behalf of the American people, not continuing endless investigations and reckless impeachment inquiries fueled by media frenzy.”
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, District 5
Statement issued Tuesday:
“This is yet another example of the hyper-partisan political climate today. Instead of waiting for all the facts, House Democrats are jumping to unfounded conclusions.
"When people we represent are searching for hope and expecting results, both Republicans and Democrats need to dig a little deeper and be more focused on solving problems that make a difference, not just a point.
"I’m pleased the President is being transparent and releasing the transcript of the conversation this week. I will be reviewing the facts before making any decisions on what’s best for the American people.”
SENATORS
Sen. Patty Murray
On Tuesday she tweeted her support for formal impeachment proceedings.
Sen. Maria Cantwell
On Tuesday she tweeted her support for formal impeachment proceedings.
