[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CALLING FOR CAUTION ON IMPEACHMENT

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight 
the unfortunate position this institution has been placed in over the 
past several weeks. Long before Speaker Pelosi launched this 
impeachment inquiry, many of my colleagues had already made it clear 
that their number one priority was impeaching the President.
  Congress should rightfully use its oversight powers to ensure laws 
are executed faithfully, but this exercise has shown itself to be the 
ultimate manipulation of the legislative branch's oversight to achieve 
political gains.
  I caution my colleagues from placing political expediency ahead of 
moderation. A vote for impeachment will forever change this 
institution. Imagine a future where this body utilizes the most severe 
of its constitutional tools to continually put the minority party on 
trial.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people have elected their representatives 
to be their voice and vote on matters most important to this country. 
We must collectively focus on these issues, not the political impulses 
of a few.
  For the sake of this institution, and for the good of the Nation, 
this cannot become the new normal.

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