[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR HIGH 
                        CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of two articles of 
impeachment--one regarding abuse of power and one regarding obstruction 
of Congress--against President Trump.
  I decided to support the President's impeachment after a judicious 
consideration of the facts established by the House Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the House Committee on the 
Judiciary, as well as reflecting upon my constitutional 
responsibilities as a Member of Congress.
  I would note that the constitutional remedy for high crimes and 
misdemeanors--such as abuse of power--is impeachment. Regrettably, the 
President's severe misconduct with respect to Ukraine showed a complete 
disregard for our Constitution, our democratic system of government, 
and the security of our nation and our allies. The President left the 
House with little choice but to faithfully discharge its duty.
  As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 
I believe that it is unconscionable that an American leader would use 
nearly $400 million in military aid appropriated by Congress--and 
signed into law by the President himself--as leverage for personal 
gain.
  There are fundamental reasons why U.S. law provided these desperately 
needed funds to Ukraine. I would emphasize that, in 2014, Russia 
invaded Ukraine and illegally annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea 
while Russian-backed separatist forces seized control of key cities in 
eastern Ukraine. The fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to this day 
and has killed more than 13,000 Ukrainians while forcibly displacing 
more than two million individuals.
  Additionally, the impeachment reports issued by the HPSCI and the 
House Committee on the Judiciary present an irrefutable case that the 
President's behavior constituted an ongoing threat to a free and fair 
Presidential election in 2020.
  Further, I believe that the President's refusal to comply with the 
impeachment inquiry is representative of his broader contempt for 
Congress and its constitutional role as a separate and coequal branch 
of government. Congress must continue to work diligently to protect and 
fully exert its complete range of constitutional prerogatives and 
maintain the balance of power that has existed for 231 years.
  Finally, I would highlight that the administration's complete 
repudiation of constitutionally-prescribed legislative authorities 
stands in stark contrast to the courage and patriotism demonstrated by 
the whistleblower who filed a formal complaint with the Intelligence 
Community's Inspector General, as well as the public servants who 
testified before the House. These individuals deserve our utmost 
respect and gratitude.
  As the Senate moves forward with a trial to determine whether to 
convict the President of impeachable offenses, be assured that I will 
continue to work hard to address the pressing needs of our nation's 
citizens, from creating more opportunities for good-paying jobs to 
decreasing the cost of prescription drugs.

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