[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 194 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H9261-H9262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DEMOCRACY IS FACING A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, more than 200 years ago, the delegates of 
the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to help chart a 
path forward for the newly independent United States of America.
  After deliberation, the Framers established a system of government 
with three equal branches, the legislative, executive, and judiciary, 
along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch 
had too much power. After years of control by a foreign power, our 
Framers understood the importance of self-governance and ensuring no 
monarch could once again rule over our country.
  Now, more than 200 years since the ratification of our Constitution, 
our democracy faces a constitutional crisis that the Framers never 
could have imagined. The office of the President of the United States, 
the most powerful position in the world, yields immense influence with 
the expectation to use that power in a principled manner.
  However, that principled approach has since vanished as self-interest 
has consumed the Oval Office. In the pursuit of that self-interest, 
this President has compromised our national security by withholding 
critical military assistance to Ukraine, military assistance approved 
by the Congress, the legislative branch, to provide assistance to 
preserve their sovereignty and counter Russian aggression.
  That same system of checks and balances described in the Constitution 
over 200 years ago is now under attack. The President, as well as the 
Members of Congress, take an oath of office when stepping into this 
amazing place of our Republic to be leaders in our country, to protect, 
to preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United States as long 
as we hold this office. As part of that oath, it is my constitutional 
duty to protect the Constitution from all threats, even within our own 
government.
  This June, I announced my support for the House of Representatives to 
begin an impeachment inquiry. In the 6 months since then, with new 
details revealed weekly and daily, my support for the House impeachment 
inquiry has never been stronger. This President has jeopardized our 
national security to affect an election; no one is above the law, not 
even the President.
  On Tuesday, The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

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voted to approve a comprehensive report outlining actions regarding 
Ukraine and the obstruction of justice. For 2 weeks last month, the 
American people heard various witnesses share their account of the 
President and the things that were happening in our government.
  As an African American I stand here today, Mr. Speaker, and I am very 
sensitive to any action to oppress my right to vote. My history as an 
African American in this country causes me to be very alert. 
Furthermore, the report details a concerted effort by the White House 
to defy authorized congressional subpoenas for documents, a right the 
Supreme Court has affirmed Congress possesses.
  During the Constitutional Convention, it was noted that Madison rose 
and asked his colleagues two questions: ``Shall any man be above 
justice? Shall that man be above it who can commit the most extensive 
injustice?''
  With great power comes great responsibility. That responsibility has 
been ignored, and it has been demonstrated in the office of our 
President that his only interest is his self-interest and not that 
which is the best interest of the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress will be tasked with making a decision that will 
likely alter the course of history. However, taking the evidence into 
account, this is not a difficult decision. When history looks back, I 
will be one of the Members of Congress who kept my oath, who served and 
voted to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United 
States.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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