Local lawmakers share opinions on impeachment
Reactions predictably split along party lines
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY) - On the day of the House of Representatives' vote on two articles of impeachment, members of the Desert Southwest's Congressional delegation are making their plans known.
Democratic Congressman JuanVargas represents California's 51st Congressional District, which includes the Imperial Valley. Vargas voiced his support for impeachment on Twitter Tuesday evening.
I was one of the first members of Congress to support the impeachment inquiry, and after listening to my constituents and careful consideration of the evidence, tomorrow I plan to vote for both articles of impeachment against President Trump.
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) December 18, 2019
Representative Paul Gosar, from Arizona's 4th District, has long been a vocal opponent of the impeachment process. In fact, Gosar was among the Republicans who stormed the impeachment investigation's secure room back in October.
Tuesday he tweeted this:
Democrats have no case against @realDonaldTrump. This has been a total sham since the very beginning. #ImpeachmentEve pic.twitter.com/ZigchgYNiO
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) December 18, 2019
Congressman Raul Grijalva serves Arizona's 3rd District, which includes southern Yuma County. Grijalva announced his decision to vote for impeachment back on December 13.
Numerous investigations and public hearings have demonstrated the uncontested facts: President Trump abused his power when he withheld military aid from Ukraine in a corrupt attempt to extort them into interfering in the 2020 election.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) December 13, 2019
I will vote to #DefendOurDemocracy. https://t.co/KZbbM3WjjP
California Senator Kamala Harris made her intentions on impeachment clear while campaigning for the Democratic Presidential nomination. Tuesday she took to Twitter to urge people to take to the streets.
People across our nation are rallying tonight to show Congress and the president that no one is above the law. Find an event happening near you and spread the word.https://t.co/up2TzNZlxJ
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 17, 2019
Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, says she's reserving judgment. The Senator issued this statement on impeachment:
“Arizonans deserve a government that upholds our Constitutional values. Partisan politics have no place in addressing these serious allegations. This process will require the Senate to fulfill a Constitutional role, so it is the duty of all Senators - including myself - to avoid pre-judging facts or reaching conclusions.”
Senator Kyrsten Sinema - (D) Arizona
Senator Martha McSally's office told our Carmen Valencia, "She has not been convinced Trump should be removed from office."
Stay with KYMA.com, News 11, and 13 On Your Side for continuing coverage of Wednesday's historic impeachment vote.