[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2018

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I co-sponsored H. Res. 621, 
Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, of high 
crimes and misdemeanors. After I co-sponsored this legislation, I sent 
the following letter to the people of Minnesota's Fourth District:

       For my constituents and for history, I want to be on the 
     record supporting an open, transparent process of 
     Congressional investigations, subpoenas, and impeachment 
     proceedings to hold President Trump accountable for actions 
     that are corrupting the Presidency and damaging our nation. 
     To that end, I am co-sponsoring H. Res. 621, Articles of 
     Impeachment Against President Donald Trump.
       Congress has the Constitutional obligation to examine the 
     mounting evidence that President Trump has repeatedly 
     obstructed the criminal investigation into Russia's state-
     sponsored effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. 
     The recent revelation that the president attempted to fire 
     the lead investigator, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, 
     further underscores the President's obstruction of justice.
       The investigation into acts of collusion or conspiracy 
     between the Trump campaign and Russia is legitimate and has 
     resulted in two campaign officials, including President 
     Trump's former National Security Advisor, pleading guilty to 
     federal crimes. President Trump's numerous attempts to 
     prevent, obstruct, or impede justice demand action by 
     Congress to hold him accountable.
       In addition to his obstruction of justice, President 
     Trump's use of his office to profit personally from outside 
     business interests should be unacceptable to all Americans. 
     President Trump continues to own and influence a global 
     empire of properties and brands for personal profit in direct 
     violation of the Constitution's Foreign and Domestic 
     Emoluments Clauses.
       The scope and scale of President Trump's family business 
     dealings and foreign entanglements is unknown, demanding a 
     thorough examination. Unlike other recent presidents, 
     President Trump has refused to publically release his tax 
     returns or place his business holdings in blind trust. Never 
     before in the history of our nation has a President created a 
     potential for such profound and rampant corruption.
       It is obvious that Congress must investigate a president 
     who repeatedly obstructs a criminal investigation and appears 
     to be personally profiting from the Presidency. 
     Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled Congress is more 
     interested in covering up for President Trump and protecting 
     itself politically than in conducting a meaningful 
     investigation that provides real accountability for the 
     American people.
       As a Member of Congress, I must uphold the Constitution. My 
     support for impeachment is rooted in a belief that no 
     president is above the law. Impeachment is the appropriate 
     Constitutional mechanism available to Congress in the event 
     of extreme actions by the President that violate the 
     Constitution, flout our laws, and undermine the trust of 
     Americans.
       President Trump is the only person responsible for the 
     predicament that he has brought on himself and our country. 
     But it will take action on the part of Congress and the 
     American people to stop the damage that he is causing and to 
     begin to heal our country. My co-sponsorship of H. Res. 621 
     is a critical step in that effort.

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