How much more can this great nation take?
The Senate, in a strictly partisan decision, declared both articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas unconstitutional during Wednesday’s session.
The first article accused Mayorkas of purposefully and systematically disregarding the law concerning the southern border in his role as DHS secretary. The second alleged a breach of public trust.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing New York, raised a point of order asserting the unconstitutionality of the articles, garnering majority support after several unsuccessful attempts by Republicans to introduce alternative motions.
The vote to label the first article unconstitutional ended with a tally of 51-48, with Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska abstaining.
Schumer’s point of order came after his proposal for unanimous consent, which would have allowed a specified period for senatorial debate and votes on two GOP resolutions, was rejected by Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri. Schmitt argued for a full trial on the impeachment articles rather than the procedural steps proposed by Schumer, fearing they would culminate in a swift dismissal.
Republican senators contested Schumer’s point of order, fearing its acceptance would effectively nullify the first article. Despite their efforts to adjourn or table the point through various motions, all attempts failed.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky underscored the importance of due process, emphasizing that history would not look kindly on rushing through the proceedings. He moved to table Schumer’s point of order.
Following further attempts to sidestep a vote on Schumer’s second point of order, which pertained to the second article’s constitutionality, the Senate ultimately endorsed it along party lines, 51-49, with Murkowski siding with the Republicans.
