[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H165-H192]
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

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 41, I call up 
the resolution (H. Res. 24) impeaching Donald John Trump, President of 
the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors, and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                               H. Res. 24

       Resolved, That Donald John Trump, President of the United 
     States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors and 
     that the following article of impeachment be exhibited to the 
     United States Senate:
        Article of impeachment exhibited by the House of 
     Representatives of the United States of America in the name 
     of itself and of the people of the United States of America, 
     against Donald John Trump, President of the United States of 
     America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment 
     against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.


                 article i: incitement of insurrection 

       The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives 
     ``shall have the sole Power of Impeachment'' and that the 
     President ``shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, 
     and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and 
     Misdemeanors''. Further, section 3 of the 14th Amendment to 
     the Constitution prohibits any person who has ``engaged in 
     insurrection or rebellion against'' the United States from 
     ``hold[ing] any office . . . under the United States''. In 
     his conduct while President of the United States--and in 
     violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute 
     the office of President of the United States and, to the best 
     of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the 
     Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his 
     constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully 
     executed--Donald John Trump engaged in high Crimes and 
     Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of 
     the United States, in that:
       On January 6, 2021, pursuant to the 12th Amendment to the 
     Constitution of the United States, the Vice President of the 
     United States, the House of Representatives, and the Senate 
     met at the United States Capitol for a Joint Session of 
     Congress to count the votes of the Electoral College. In the 
     months preceding the Joint Session, President Trump 
     repeatedly issued false statements asserting that the 
     Presidential election results were the product of widespread 
     fraud and should not be accepted by the American people or 
     certified by State or Federal officials. Shortly before the 
     Joint Session commenced, President Trump, addressed a crowd 
     at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. There, he reiterated false 
     claims that ``we won this election, and we won it by a 
     landslide''. He also willfully made statements that, in 
     context, encouraged--and foreseeably resulted in--lawless 
     action at the Capitol, such as: ``if you don't fight like 
     hell you're not going to have a country anymore''. Thus 
     incited by President Trump, members of the crowd he had 
     addressed, in an attempt to, among other objectives, 
     interfere with the Joint Session's solemn constitutional duty 
     to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential election, 
     unlawfully breached and vandalized the Capitol, injured and 
     killed law enforcement personnel, menaced Members of 
     Congress, the Vice President, and Congressional personnel, 
     and engaged in other violent, deadly, destructive, and 
     seditious acts.
       President Trump's conduct on January 6, 2021, followed his 
     prior efforts to subvert and obstruct the certification of 
     the results of the 2020 Presidential election. Those prior 
     efforts included a phone call on January 2, 2021, during 
     which President Trump urged the secretary of state of 
     Georgia, Brad Raffensperger, to ``find'' enough votes to 
     overturn the Georgia Presidential election results and 
     threatened Secretary Raffensperger if he failed to do so.
       In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the 
     security of the United States and its institutions of 
     Government. He threatened the integrity of the democratic 
     system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and 
     imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed 
     his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people 
     of the United States.
       Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has 
     demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national 
     security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to 
     remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly 
     incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Donald 
     John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from 
     office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
     honor, trust, or profit under the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. McCollum). The resolution shall be 
debatable for 2 hours, equally divided and controlled by the chair and 
ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary.
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Jordan) each will control 1 hour.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

                              {time}  1230


                             General Leave

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert 
extraneous material on H. Res. 24.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?

[[Page H166]]

  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for 
his leadership.
  Madam Speaker, in his annual address to our predecessors in Congress 
in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of the duty of the patriot in 
an hour of decisive crisis for the American people.
  ``Fellow citizens,'' he said, ``we cannot escape history. We . . . 
will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or 
insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through 
which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest 
generation. . . . We, even we here, hold the power and bear the 
responsibility.''
  In the Bible, St. Paul wrote, ``Think on these things.'' We must 
think on what Lincoln told us. We, even here, even us here, hold the 
power and bear the responsibility.
  We, you and I, hold in trust the power that derives most directly 
from the people of the United States, and we bear the responsibility to 
fulfill the oath that we all swear before God and before one another: 
the oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and 
domestic, so help us God.
  We know that we face enemies to that Constitution. We know. We 
experienced the insurrection that violated the sanctity of the people's 
Capitol and attempted to overturn the duly recorded will of the 
American people. And we know that the President of the United States 
incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common 
country. He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the Nation 
that we all love.
  Since the Presidential election in November, an election the 
President lost, he has repeatedly lied about the outcome, sowed self-
serving doubt about democracy, and unconstitutionally sought to 
influence State officials to repeal reality. And then came that day of 
fire we all experienced.
  The President must be impeached, and I believe the President must be 
convicted by the Senate, a constitutional remedy that will ensure that 
the Republic will be safe from this man who is so resolutely determined 
to tear down the things that we hold dear and that hold us together.
  It gives me no pleasure to say this. It breaks my heart. It should 
break your heart. It should break all of our hearts, for your presence 
in this hallowed Chamber is testament to your love for our country, for 
America, and to your faith in the work of our Founders to create a more 
perfect Union.
  Those insurrectionists were not patriots. They were not part of a 
political base to be catered to and managed. They were domestic 
terrorists, and justice must prevail.
  But they did not appear out of a vacuum. They were sent here, sent 
here by the President with words such as a cry to ``fight like hell.'' 
Words matter. Truth matters. Accountability matters. In his public 
exhortations to them, the President saw the insurrectionists not as the 
foes of freedom, as they are, but as the means to a terrible goal: the 
goal of his personally clinging to power, the goal of thwarting the 
will of the people, the goal of ending in a fiery and bloody clash 
nearly two and a half centuries of our democracy.
  This is not theoretical, and this is not motivated by partisanship. I 
stand before you today as an officer of the Constitution as Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. I stand before you as a wife, a mother, a 
grandmother, a daughter, a daughter whose father proudly served in this 
Congress, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., from Maryland, one of the first 
Italian Americans to serve in the Congress. And I stand here before you 
today as that noblest of things: a citizen of the United States of 
America.
  With my voice and my vote, with a plea to all of you, Democrats and 
Republicans, I ask you to search your souls and answer these questions: 
Is the President's war on democracy in keeping with the Constitution? 
Were his words and insurrectionary mob a high crime and misdemeanor? Do 
we not have the duty to our oath to do all we constitutionally can to 
protect our Nation and our democracy from the appetites and ambitions 
of a man who has self-evidently demonstrated that he is a vital threat 
to liberty, to self-government, and to the rule of law?
  Our country is divided. We all know that. There are lies abroad in 
the land, spread by a desperate President who feels his power slipping 
away. We know that, too. But I know this as well: that we here in this 
House have a sacred obligation to stand for truth, to stand up for the 
Constitution, to stand as guardians of the Republic.
  In a speech he was prepared to give in Dallas on Friday, November 22, 
1963, President John F. Kennedy was to say, ``We in this country, in 
this generation, are--by destiny rather than choice--the watchmen on 
the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of 
our power and responsibility.'' That we may be worthy.
  President Kennedy was assassinated before he could deliver those 
words to the Nation, but they resonate more even now, in our time and 
in this place.
  Let us be worthy of our power and responsibility, that what Lincoln 
thought of the world's last best hope, the United States of America, 
may long survive.
  My fellow Members, my fellow Americans, we cannot escape history. Let 
us embrace our duty, fulfill our oath, and honor the trust of our 
Nation. We pray that God will continue to bless America.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Nineteen minutes. Nineteen minutes. Four years ago on inauguration 
day, January 20, 2017, 19 minutes into President Trump's 
administration, at 12:19 p.m., The Washington Post's headline was 
``Campaign to Impeach President Trump Has Begun.'' And now with just 1 
week left, they are still trying.
  In 7 days, there will be a peaceful transfer of power, just like 
there has been every other time in our country, but Democrats are going 
to impeach President Trump again. This doesn't unite the country. There 
is no way this helps the Nation deal with the tragic and terrible 
events of last week that we all condemn. Republicans have been 
consistent. We have condemned all the violence all the time. We 
condemned it last summer. We condemned it last week.
  We should be focused on bringing the Nation together. Instead, 
Democrats are going to impeach the President for a second time, 1 
week--1 week--before he leaves office. Why? Why?
  Politics and the fact that they want to cancel the President--the 
President who cut taxes, the President who reduced regulations, the 
President who, prior to COVID, had the greatest economy, lowest 
unemployment in 50 years, the President who got us out of the Iran 
deal, put the Embassy in Jerusalem, brought hostages home from North 
Korea, put three great Justices on the Supreme Court, gave us a new 
NAFTA agreement, the Abraham Accords, the COVID vaccine, and who built 
the wall.
  It is about politics. This is about getting the President of the 
United States. They spied on his campaign before he was elected. 
Nineteen minutes into his Presidency, they started the impeachment 
push: 3-year Mueller investigation, 19 lawyers, 40 agents, 500 
witnesses, 2,500 subpoenas, $40 million to find nothing--impeachment 
round one, based on an anonymous whistleblower with no firsthand 
knowledge, who was biased against the President and who worked for Joe 
Biden. Now it is impeachment round two.
  It has always been about getting the President, no matter what. It is 
an obsession, an obsession that has now broadened. It is not just about 
impeachment anymore. It is about canceling, as I have said, canceling 
the President and anyone that disagrees with them. The Ayatollah can 
tweet; the President can't.
  Democrats can object on January 6, 2017, but Republicans aren't 
allowed to object on January 6, 2021. Democrats say antifa is a myth; 
Republicans condemn all violence all the time. The double standard has 
to stop.
  Frankly, the attack on the First Amendment has to stop. Stop and 
think about it. Do you have a functioning First Amendment when the 
cancel culture only allows one side to talk? When you can't even have a 
debate in this country, this great country, the greatest country ever? 
It needs to stop because if it continues, if it continues, it won't 
just be Republicans who get canceled; it won't just be the

[[Page H167]]

President of the United States. The cancel culture will come for us 
all.
  America is a great country, the greatest country ever. It seems to me 
that we need to think about how great the people of this Nation really 
are, think about what we have accomplished in the past, and begin to 
come together as leaders who represent so many great folks across our 
districts.
  Think about this. Think about this: In 1903, Kitty Hawk, North 
Carolina, two guys fly this thing they called a plane 100 feet. Barely 
got off the ground. Barely got off the ground. Amazing thing. Forty-
four years later, Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier. In 44 years, 
we go from two guys flying a contraption they called a plane a few 
hundred feet to Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier, and 22 years 
after that--22 years after that--another American steps on the Moon. 
Think about it. In one lifetime, in 66 years, two guys flying 100 feet 
to putting a man on the Moon. That is what this country is capable of. 
That is what we can do.
  We, as the Congress who represents the people who did that, should 
start leading, should start understanding what really is going on here. 
So I hope--I hope--we defeat this. I hope we can begin to come together 
and recognize the greatness of the American people and focus on the 
things they want us to focus on.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
  Madam Speaker, we all saw it coming. Months in advance, President 
Trump was baselessly and deliberately whipping his supporters into a 
frenzy.
  Weeks before the riot, he used his bully pulpit to spread lies about 
the election. He told his supporters that the results were fraudulent. 
He implored them again and again to help him stay in power, and he 
convinced them that accepting the outcome of the election posed an 
existential threat to their families and their freedoms.
  We have a duty to observe, Madam Speaker, that racism played a direct 
role in this incitement. The President's violent rhetoric is always at 
its most fevered pitch when he is talking about the civil rights and 
civic aspirations of Black Americans and other minority communities.
  On January 6, at a rally that was large, angry, and widely reported 
to be armed, the President's lies and violent rhetoric reached their 
crescendo. At that rally, the President took the stage. After 
reiterating the falsehood that ``we won this election, and we won it by 
a landslide,'' he told the crowd that ``if you don't fight like hell, 
you are not going to have a country anymore.'' And then he urged the 
mob to ``walk down Pennsylvania Avenue'' to prevent the Congress from 
confirming the election of ``an illegitimate President.''
  On that day, President Trump unleashed the force of a mob on this, 
the people's House. He encouraged that attack with the explicit intent 
to disrupt the joint session of Congress, an attack that threatened the 
safety of the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the 
President pro tempore of the Senate, the next three officers in the 
line of succession.
  And look at what that violence has wrought: at least six dead, 
offices ransacked, the sanctity of our Capitol breached for the first 
time in two centuries, our hallways littered with broken glass, the 
battle flags of a long dead Confederacy, and the debris we have come to 
associate with the Trump campaign.
  Madam Speaker, I have faith in the resiliency of our government. We 
will bring the rioters to justice. Their accomplices in this House will 
be held responsible.
  But today we must focus on the gravest threat first: President Trump, 
who incited this riot and who remains a grave danger to the Nation.
  As we warned the Senate when we tried him for his first impeachment: 
``President Trump has made clear in word and deed that he will persist 
in such conduct if he is not removed from power. He poses a continuing 
threat to our Nation, to the integrity of our elections, and to our 
democratic order. He must not remain in power one moment longer.''
  Not one moment longer. The danger is too great. We must impeach.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McClintock).
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I didn't like the President's speech 
on January 6 either. I thought he was wrong to assert that the Vice 
President and Congress can pick and choose which electoral votes to 
count. He was wrong to set such a confrontational tone in a politically 
tense situation.
  But what did he actually say? His exact words were: ``I know that 
everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol Building to 
peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.'' That is 
impeachable? That is called freedom of speech.
  Now, he also threatened to oppose candidates in future elections. 
And, by the way, that was directed at Republicans like me who had 
resolved to uphold the constitutional process and protect the electoral 
college. Well, so what? That is called politics.
  If we impeached every politician who gave a fiery speech to a crowd 
of partisans, this Capitol would be deserted. That is what the 
President did. That is all he did.
  He specifically told the crowd to protest peacefully and 
patriotically, and the vast majority of them did. But every movement 
has a lunatic fringe. Suppressing free speech is not the answer. 
Holding rioters accountable for their actions is the answer, and we 
are.
  If we prosecuted BLM and antifa rioters across the country with the 
same determination these last 6 months, this incident might not have 
happened at all.
  Now, short of declaring war, the power of impeachment is the most 
solemn and consequential act that Congress can take. To use it in this 
manner, in the heat of the moment, with no hearings, no due process, 
many Members phoning in their votes after a hastily called debate, 
exactly 1 week before a new President is to take office, trivializes 
this power to the point of caricature.
  The Democrats have won everything in sight--the House, the Senate, 
and the Presidency. In a republic, that calls for magnanimity by the 
victors. Only in a banana republic does it call for vengeance.
  Benjamin Franklin warned us that ``passion governs, and she never 
governs wisely.'' In our passions this week, we have set some dangerous 
new precedents that will haunt us for years to come. Yesterday, we 
redefined intemperate speech as a physical incapacity requiring removal 
from office. Today, we define it as a high crime and misdemeanor.
  Well, the moment any Member of this body gives an impassioned speech 
and the lunatic fringe of their movement takes license from it, be 
prepared to answer to this new precedent that we establish today.
  Now, I could cite plenty of provocative speeches made by Democrats 
that directly preceded violence this summer, but we have already had 
enough of that.
  After 600,000 Americans had perished in the Civil War, Abraham 
Lincoln appealed to the better angels of our nature. He said: With 
malice toward none, with charity for all, let us bind up the Nation's 
wounds. Those words were so important to the unity of our Nation they 
are inscribed in marble at the Lincoln Memorial.
  I cannot think of a more petty, vindictive, and gratuitous act than 
to impeach an already defeated President a week before he is to leave 
office. President-elect Biden's promise to heal the Nation becomes a 
hollow mockery in the harsh reality of this unconstitutional act.
  God help our country.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lofgren).
  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I am the only Member of Congress who has 
been involved in all three of the last Presidential impeachments. Those 
were long proceedings.
  Today, we don't need a long investigation to know the President 
incited right-wing terrorists to attack the Congress to try to overturn 
constitutional government. The actions were in public, plain as day.
  His actions are the most serious offense against our Constitution and 
our country. They are impeachable acts.

[[Page H168]]

  The Founders devised the Impeachment Clause to protect against a 
President who would threaten constitutional order. If we don't act now, 
the Impeachment Clause would essentially be meaningless.
  Faced with these facts, if we don't impeach to protect our country, 
we will fail our own oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the 
United States against all enemies, foreign and, yes, domestic.
  We have no choice. We must impeach.
  God bless America.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Biggs).
  Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, it is with wariness and a certain 
unhealthy, morbid curiosity that I watch the beast attempt to devour 
President Donald J. Trump again. The craving to crush President Trump 
has never been satisfied--not through investigations, not through false 
allegations, and not even through an impeachment that was wholly 
without merit.
  And the timing of this impeachment makes little sense. Your candidate 
will take office in a few hours, and President Trump will relinquish 
the levers of power to President-elect Biden.
  Your craving was never a Biden victory, nor was it even a Trump 
defeat. You believe that your hunger will be finally satiated by 
impeaching this President without completion of his full term of 
office. You don't merely seek victory, but you seek obliteration of 
your nemesis.
  The thirst for Trump's destruction will not be slaked, however, even 
if you are successful today and were the Senate to convict President 
Trump. Yours will be a Pyrrhic victory, for, instead of stopping the 
Trump train, his movement will grow stronger, for you will have made 
him a martyr.

  Surely you are aware of this, and that is why your allies in the 
media seek to censor conservative voices.
  Your chums who sit on the boards of corporate America--yes, the same 
companies that the left vilifies--promise to starve Republicans from 
receiving their PAC donations.
  But I bet that the groundswell of support for President Trump and his 
policies will not go away. You see, the movement he started is based on 
building an incredibly robust economy on a foundation of lower taxes 
and fewer regulations that has the wonderful effect of putting more 
people to work than ever. It is built upon a strong military that is 
extricated from endless wars. It provides border security, America-
first trade agreements, Mideast peace and stability. Those are the 
things the American people want.
  Your 4-year appetite will be temporarily assuaged while you will, no 
doubt, continue to chase after leaders of this movement, but your 
appetite will be unfulfilled.
  I urge you, please, do not--and I am mixing metaphors here--attempt 
to douse the remaining burning embers of this movement with gasoline. 
No one wants that. I urge you, please, to reconsider the reckless 
action in which you engage today.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff).
  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, 1 week ago, the President incited an 
insurrection against Congress to prevent the peaceful transition of 
power. It was the most dangerous moment for our democracy in a century.
  Today, we invoke the remedy the Founders provided for just such a 
lawless President: impeachment.
  More important, today, we begin the long road to restoration. America 
has been through a civil war, world wars, a Great Depression, 
pandemics, McCarthyism, and now a Trumpist and white nationalist 
insurrection. And yet our democracy endures. It endures because, at 
every juncture, every pivotal moment when evil threatened to overtake 
good, patriotic Americans stepped forward to say, ``Enough.''
  This is one of those moments. To preserve this sacred place, this 
citadel of democracy, for ourselves and for posterity, let us say, 
``Enough.'' Enough.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, here is a quote: ``I just don't even know 
why there aren't uprisings all over the country. And maybe there will 
be.''
  Or, ``Sadly, the domestic enemies of our voting system and honoring 
our Constitution are right at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with their 
allies in Congress of the United States.'' We were called enemies of 
the state.
  Those are all quotes from our Speaker.
  Now, on our side, we didn't take those to be impeachable because we 
didn't believe she surely meant that. By the Democrats taking this 
action, you are telling me, no, when we say those words, we actually 
mean to incite violence. That is what this action is saying.
  Look, I just looked on the History Channel. It says these words: ``If 
the Judiciary Committee,'' talking about impeachment, ``finds 
sufficient grounds, its members write and pass Articles of Impeachment, 
which then go to the full House for a vote.''
  Half of all of the impeachments ever conducted, ever voted for, 
occurred under this Speaker. You are setting a precedent that says very 
clearly--because this impeachment isn't going to work, but it is 
setting the precedent.
  Unlike a year ago, when we said, look, it shouldn't go through the 
Intelligence Committee, it should go through the Judiciary Committee, 
forget that. Now the message is: If you have a whim and you want to 
just go after a President, just go straight to the floor--no 
investigation, no Judiciary Committee. Go straight to the floor. Use it 
as a political weapon as you wish.
  This is so dangerous, what you are doing, forgetting all the 
precedents. Yes, we can argue back and forth, but you are using this as 
a weapon, and you are destroying this little experiment in self-
government in a year's time. It needs to stop.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, suffragist and 
abolitionist Lucy Stone stated, ``If we speak the truth fearlessly, we 
shall add to our number those who will turn the scale to the side of 
equal and full justice in all things.''
  The truth is, President Trump incited a violent attack against the 
United States Government.
  The truth is, President Trump spent his Presidency inflaming hate, 
white supremacy, anti-Semitism, and violence.
  The truth is, he was enabled by all those who perpetuated the lie 
that the most secure election in our Nation's history was stolen.
  The truth is that these seditious actions left five dead, our Capitol 
besieged, our security threatened, and our democracy hanging in the 
balance.
  And the truth is, a vote to impeach is our resounding declaration 
that the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall 
not perish.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa).
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, the last speaker said that for 4 years the 
President did all these terrible, inciteful things, including anti-
Semitism. I take exception with that.
  But I think it is important that we embrace one thing that was said. 
Yes, the President has been consistent for the last 4 years. During his 
campaign, I even, while representing another candidate, said that the 
President had political Tourette's; he said what was on his mind 
without a filter.
  I don't think that is being debated here today. We all know that is 
true. What is being debated is whether, with 167 hours left until he 
leaves office, he is a clear and present danger. He clearly isn't.
  The President has acted substantially the same for 4 years. He has 
rallied his base, and he has, in fact, called for peaceful protest, as 
he did just a few days ago.
  The fact is, today, we are trying to punish the President--at least 
some are--for 4 years of what he did, not for what happened last week. 
What happened last week was the result of anarchists who came loaded, 
prepared, and with weapons.

                              {time}  1300

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond).
  Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in my last floor speech in

[[Page H169]]

this body to do what I was sworn to do on the first date: To protect 
and defend the Constitution.
  President Trump put the domestic terrorists on notice by saying, 
``Stand back and stand by.'' He then summoned them to D.C., directed 
them to march on the Capitol, and then he sat back and watched the 
insurrection.
  Some of my colleagues--some of which may well be coconspirators--in 
their latest attempt to placate and please this unfit President, 
suggests that we shouldn't punish Trump for his actions in order to 
unify the country. That is the climax of foolishness.
  Let me suggest to them: Stand up. Man up. Woman up. And defend this 
Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, including Donald 
J. Trump.
  In the first impeachment, Republicans said we didn't need to impeach 
him because he learned his lesson, so no need to remove him.
  Well, we said, if we didn't remove him, he would do it again. Simply 
put, we told you so.
  Richmond out.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).
  Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution. At 
a time when our country needs unity, it is concerning that my 
Democratic colleagues have chosen to begin impeachment proceedings 
against a President with just 7 days left in office. All legal 
challenges have been exhausted. Congress has certified electors over 
objectors, and Joe Biden will be the next President of the United 
States.
  President Trump has indicated he will peacefully transfer power to 
President-elect Biden next week.
  So why pursue impeachment just 1 week before he leaves office?
  I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say they 
have to impeach the President because he is too dangerous to stay in 
power, yet they know that it is impossible for the Senate to remove him 
before his term expires.
  So what is the point?
  Madam Speaker, this move sets a dangerous precedent for our Nation. 
If Congress is going to impeach a President, it must only be done after 
intense debate and deliberation, not rushed through in the 11th hour to 
make a political point. This impeachment attempt is dangerous for our 
country and has far-reaching implications for our future.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries).
  Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, I did not come to Congress to impeach 
Donald Trump, but the constitutional crimes by an out-of-control 
President inspired by his hatred and the big lie that he told cannot be 
ignored. Donald Trump is a living, breathing, impeachable offense. It 
is what it is.
  The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was an act of insurrection 
incited by Donald Trump. He is a clear and present danger to the 
health, safety, and well-being of the American people. That is why this 
impeachment is necessary on the House floor for a second time with a 
bipartisan majority.
  Violence will not win. Insurrection will not win. Sedition will not 
win. Terror will not win. Lawlessness will not win. Mob rule will not 
win. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
  Democracy will prevail.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Aguilar).
  Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, on January 3, we stood here on this floor 
and swore an oath to defend our Constitution against enemies, foreign 
and domestic. Three days later, that oath was put to the test when a 
violent mob tried to break down those doors to stop us from performing 
our constitutional duty. This mob was not without a leader.
  On that day, the President told them to walk to this Capitol, 16 
blocks from where he stood. They were radicalized by his lies and 
conspiracy theories he spent months fueling, many of which I have heard 
on this floor the last week. He needed to say only two words to end the 
violence: ``I concede.'' Because that is what leaders do in a 
democracy. Because that is what we do in the United States. They put 
politics aside and put country first.
  Madam Speaker, as I look to our colleagues over on the other side, I 
wonder how many of them will demonstrate that leadership and join us in 
holding President Trump accountable for inciting this deadly attack, 
and I wonder how many will uphold our oath and put our country first to 
defend this Constitution from the threat in the White House. To do 
anything less, is to turn your back on the oath altogether.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
  Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, for more than 220 years since George 
Washington yielded the Presidency to John Adams, the peaceful transfer 
of power has been a hallmark of our democracy.
  In this country, the will of the American people reigns supreme over 
the ambitions of any individual. Every single President has honored and 
upheld these principles until now.
  Donald Trump lost his bid for reelection last November. It was a free 
and fair election. In fact, President Trump's own election security 
director called it ``the most secure election in U.S. history.'' But 
for 2 months now, Donald Trump has refused to accept the will of the 
American people. Over and over again, he has told his supporters he 
didn't really lose; the election was stolen from him and from them. And 
as they grew angrier and angrier over this perceived injustice, he told 
them there was still a way to keep him in power.

  As Congress prepared to meet for the sacred ritual of certifying the 
results of the President's election, the President made his move. He 
directed his supporters to travel to Washington for a rally to ``stop 
the steal.''
  They did.
  Then, once assembled, he had one final request: March on the U.S. 
Capitol. Do what it takes to help me hold on to power. ``We will never 
give up. We will never concede,'' he told them. ``If you don't fight 
like hell,'' he warned, ``you are not going to have a country 
anymore.''
  The people on the Ellipse that day heard his message loud and clear. 
They answered his call for insurrection.
  As the third-ranking Republican in this Chamber put it, he ``summoned 
the mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack.''
  Armed with guns, pipe bombs, bats, shields, zip ties, and more, they 
set their sights on the U.S. Capitol. They stormed the citadel of our 
democracy. Hundreds of domestic terrorists did what Donald Trump wanted 
them to do. They seized the Capitol and tried to end our country's 234-
year experiment in democracy, as the Trump family and White House aides 
watched gleefully on television.
  They searched the Halls of this building for the Vice President, who 
they came to hang for treason. They overran the Office of the Speaker, 
who they came to assassinate. They sought, above all else, to seize 
control of our government in the name of Donald Trump.
  Let that sink in: The terrorists who stormed this building planned to 
hang the Vice President, kill the Speaker, and topple our government.
  They took down the American flag and replaced it with a Trump flag.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who 
are not planning to vote for this article: Is this the kind of country 
you want to live in? What are you going to tell your children and 
grandchildren when they ask what you did in this moment? Did you stand 
for the Republic or for this President?
  Heed the words of Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President, 
who told our country that ``a house divided against itself cannot 
stand.''
  This great House of which Abraham Lincoln served cannot and will not 
endure if we do not stand together now.
  The President and the terrorists who stormed these Halls last 
Wednesday did not succeed in toppling our Republic. We must ensure they 
never do. I implore you to join us in supporting this article.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

[[Page H170]]

  

  Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, we have been here before. We have done 
this before. This has failed before. We fractured our Nation using the 
same process before. Congress must be the glue that starts unifying 
everyone.
  By the time this process would conclude, the man they want out of 
office will no longer even be the President. If we want unity, this is 
not the way.
  America was and is the leading light in the world. This proceeding 
has continued to cloak our Nation in darkness.
  Nearly half the country supports our current President. This takes 
their voice away. We must be bigger and better than the most base of 
instincts that have been driving our political discourse. It is 
destroying us. Let's link arms with one another and begin to heal. 
Let's stop this impeachment.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse).
  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  President Trump's actions--encouraging, inciting a mob that stormed 
the United States Capitol for the sole purpose of stopping the 
constitutionally mandated counting of electoral votes--cannot go 
unanswered by this body. He must be impeached.
  If Congress does not act, if we shrink from our constitutional 
responsibilities to defend our Republic, it will undoubtedly undermine 
the vision of America as ``the last best hope of earth,'' as Abraham 
Lincoln so eloquently said so many years ago.
  To the millions of Americans watching today: I hope that you 
understand that we are proceeding on this path out of love for our 
country.
  I will honor my oath today. I will vote for impeachment, and I pray 
that my colleagues will muster the courage to do the same.

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).
  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Article of Impeachment.
  Last Wednesday, we gathered to follow the Constitution's simple 
instruction: To count the electoral votes that have been tallied by the 
States and submitted to us.
  This President refused to accept those results. Instead, he sought to 
overturn them by inciting a violent insurrection. But we were not 
deterred from doing our constitutional duty. Today, we must do our 
constitutional duty once again.
  While the President failed in his attempt to upend our democracy, 
last Wednesday's events declared that if we do not hold him accountable 
and remove him from power, a future attempt could very well be 
successful.
  The survival of our democracy depends on defeated candidates 
accepting their defeats, as has been the case in every President's 
election since 1864.
  Our January 6 joint session is a vital part of the transfer of power, 
not the contest for power. Vice President Gore understood this, 
accepting and certifying the 2000 election result in which he was 
defeated. Vice President Biden understood this, accepting and 
certifying this President's victory in the 2016 election.
  This President's refusal to participate in the peaceful transfer of 
power and his role in the incitement of last week's violence posed an 
existential threat to our constitution of democracy.
  This threat must be extinguished immediately. This President must be 
impeached and convicted, and he must be prevented from ever attempting 
to seize power again.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Buck).
  Mr. BUCK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time.
  Madam Speaker, I have heard that President Trump radicalized the 
group of the rioters who stormed this Capitol. I would say that we need 
to look no further than ourselves to find out what happened and to look 
at history.
  Americans were frustrated when they learned that the FBI was 
investigating the Trump campaign. They were frustrated to learn that 
the Obama administration and the DNC had created this false campaign 
against the Trump administration. They were frustrated, Madam Speaker, 
when the inauguration of the President was boycotted by over 40 
Democrat Members of this House.
  They were frustrated to read in The Washington Post the day after the 
inauguration: Let the impeachment begin.
  They were frustrated when Members of this House spoke over and over 
about impeaching the President days into his administration. And then 
the Socialists in Hollywood joined their allies in Congress. Robert De 
Niro said that he wanted to punch the President in the face. Madonna 
thought about blowing up the White House. Kathy Lee Griffin held up a 
likeness of the President's beheaded head, and nothing was said by my 
colleagues at that point in time.
  In fact, one Democrat colleague said that Trump supporters should be 
harassed wherever they are, in restaurants, on the street, and in 
supermarkets.
  During this time, the President was under investigation by a special 
counsel who found no collusion and no conspiracy with Russia.
  The President's supporters were harassed. Ajit Pai, the head of the 
FCC, was called a dirty, sneaky Indian. His children were harassed in 
school. The press secretary, Sarah Sanders, was kicked out of a 
restaurant for being a Trump employee. The DHS Secretary, Kirstjen 
Nielsen, was harassed by her home, and Trump donors were publicly 
shamed.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, smashing windows and beating police 
officers over the head with fire extinguishers, a bloodthirsty mob 
attacked the Capitol and invaded this Congress last Wednesday. They 
erected a gallows and repeatedly chanted: Hang Mike Pence.
  They stormed Speaker Pelosi's office yelling: Where is Nancy?
  They brandished the Confederate battle flag and occupied the Senate 
Chamber. They wounded dozens of people, hospitalized dozens of people, 
and killed five of our people. For 6 hours, they shut down the counting 
of electoral college votes--our sacred process under the Constitution 
for peaceful transfer of power in the United States.
  They may have been hunting for Pence and Pelosi to stage their coup, 
but every one of us in this room right now could have died. As Senator 
Lindsey Graham said: The mob could have blown the building up. They 
could have killed us all.
  And now the far right is calling for a return engagement from January 
17 to January 20. They are asking the President to pardon the 
conspirators in last week's rampage as they prepare for a race war 
again next week. It is a bit much to be hearing that these people would 
not be trying to destroy our government and kill us if we just weren't 
so mean to them.
  Despite the floor leader's desperate effort to polarize this body and 
this Nation along party lines, it is the chair of the Republican 
Conference who best articulated what happened in a statement yesterday, 
and I recommend every American read this. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the 
elected chair of the Republican Conference, wrote that ``the President 
summoned this mob, assembled this mob, and lit the flame of this 
attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have 
happened without the President. The President could have immediately 
and forcibly intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has 
never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States.''
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Maryland an 
additional 10 seconds.
  Mr. RASKIN. Ms. Cheney says that ``there has never been a greater 
betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath 
to the Constitution.''
  Read Ms. Cheney's statement. Let's come together and impeach the 
President for this high crime against the Republic. We don't have a 
minute to spare. He is a clear and present danger to the people.

[[Page H171]]

  

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Gaetz).
  Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, it seems to me that impeachment is an itch 
that doesn't go away with just one scratch. It also seems that 
President Trump may be most likely to be impeached when he is correct.
  Before the last Presidential impeachment, President Trump rightly 
pointed out the improper activities of the Biden crime family, and 
subsequently he has been proven right. And don't think for a moment, 
Madam Speaker, that we are going to drop that or stop our pursuit for 
the truth.
  Before that, Madam Speaker, we had the Russia hoax, where you had the 
President rightfully making claims that Hillary Clinton and the DNC 
were colluding with Russians to disorient our democracy. How right he 
turned out to be.
  And then we have the 2020 Presidential election where the President 
correctly pointed out unconstitutional behavior, voting irregularities, 
concerns over tabulations, dead people voting, and now impeachment 
again. ``When they go low, we kick them,'' Eric Holder, former Attorney 
General under Barack Obama.
  Breaching the Capitol was as low as low can be. We all denounce it.
  But who is it that they are kicking?
  The President, who created soaring highs for our economy, rising 
wages before the pandemic, and 400 miles of wall to stop the caravans. 
He drew down troops in the Middle East and showed empathy for the 
forgotten men and women of our country. It is why so many people love 
him so much, and it is why they are kicking all of us.
  This President has faced unprecedented hatred and resistance from Big 
Media, Big Tech, and big egos from congressional leaders on both sides 
of the aisle.
  Before the rioters tore through that glass, Speaker Pelosi stood at 
that rostrum and tore through the President's State of the Union 
speech, inciting anger, resentment, and division. Some believe that 
truly these true colors are being shown now through this divisive 
bipartisan impeachment.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Florida an 
additional 40 seconds.
  Mr. GAETZ. Madam Speaker, the Speaker said to us just moments ago 
that words matter. But apparently those words don't matter when they 
are uttered by Democrats, when the gentlewoman from Massachusetts calls 
for unrest in the streets, and when the gentlewoman from California 
brazenly brags that she called for people to get in the faces of those 
who serve and support the President.
  I denounce political violence from all ends of the spectrum. But make 
no mistake: the left in America has incited far more political violence 
than the right. For months our cities burned, police stations burned, 
and our businesses were shattered; and they said nothing or they cheer-
led for it, they fundraised for it, and they allowed it to happen in 
the greatest country in the world.
  Now, some have cited the metaphor that the President lit the flame. 
They lit actual flames and actual fires. We put them out, and we intend 
to keep this President.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell).
  Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, America has been attacked before, but 
not like this. On January 6, Donald Trump incited thousands of 
radicalized terrorists to attack the Capitol to stop a transition of 
power. Let that sink in. Our President incited our citizens to attack 
our Capitol. America was not attacked in the past tense. This President 
has inspired future plots. America is still under attack, and that is 
why Donald Trump must be impeached.
  I have read that many of my GOP colleagues know what the President 
did was wrong but are afraid for their lives if they cross the 
President. I am sorry that they are living in fear, but now is the time 
to summon their courage to guide them.
  Madam Speaker, we have all seen the images of the courageous officers 
who have risked their lives so that you could flee this floor and see 
your families. That was almost a week ago right now.
  Officers engaged in hand-to-hand combat for hours with these 
terrorists. Capitol Police were spit on, beaten, stampeded, and one of 
them lost his life.
  Madam Speaker, I am not asking you to summon the courage that they 
did; I am just asking you to do your job and hold this President 
accountable.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro).
  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, Donald Trump is the most 
dangerous man to ever occupy the Oval Office.
  Madam Speaker, I want to take you back 1 week ago today when people 
were barging through these doors and breaking the windows with weapons, 
armed, pipe bombs, coming here to harm all of you, to harm the Speaker, 
and to harm the Senate.
  Madam Speaker, let me ask you a question: What do you think they 
would have done if they had gotten in?
  What do you think they would have done to you, and who do you think 
sent them here? The most dangerous man to ever occupy the Oval Office.
  If inciting a deadly insurrection is not enough to get a President 
impeached, then what is?
  All of us must answer that question today.
  The Constitution requires us to impeach and remove Donald John Trump.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
  Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, 1 week ago today, I was trapped in this 
House Chamber as the banging on the doors began. I feared for 
colleagues, reporters, and staff. I feared for myself. The attack on 
the Capitol will never be forgotten.
  The President and many in this Chamber have shamelessly peddled 
dangerous untruths about the election, despite the warnings of where 
those lies would lead. Last Wednesday, those lies and dangers found 
themselves inside this Capitol.

  This hateful rhetoric is another deadly virus. It is time to remove 
it from its host. To heal, we need accountability and truth. That 
begins by acknowledging the President's dangerous lies and their deadly 
consequences. Removing Donald Trump is the beginning of restoring 
decency and democracy. What happened last week will not be forgotten, 
and what we do this week will long be remembered. Vote ``yes'' on 
impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McCarthy).
  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, let me be clear: Last week's violent attack on the 
Capitol was undemocratic, un-American, and criminal. Violence is never 
a legitimate form of protest. Freedom of speech and assembly under the 
Constitution is rooted in nonviolence. Yet the violent mob that 
descended upon this body was neither peaceful nor democratic. It acted 
to disrupt Congress' constitutional responsibility. It was also an 
attack on the people who work in this institution: Members, staff, and 
the hundreds who work behind the scenes so that we can serve the 
American people.
  The greatest statesman in the history of our country understood that 
the most dangerous threat to freedom is lawlessness. A young lawyer 
named Abraham Lincoln famously said, ``There is no grievance that is a 
fit object of redress by mob law.''
  Yet, for several hours last week, mob law tried to interfere with 
constitutional law.
  Some say the riots were caused by antifa. There is absolutely no 
evidence of that, and Conservatives should be the first to say so.
  Conservatives also know that the only thing that stops mob violence 
is to meet it with force rooted in justice and backed by moral courage. 
Last week, we saw mob violence met by courage, sacrifice, and heroism 
from the brave men and women who protect this institution every day. 
But for the bravery of the Capitol Police, the destruction and loss 
could have been

[[Page H172]]

much greater. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

                              {time}  1330

  The loss of Officer Brian Sicknick and Officer Howard Liebengood was 
tragic and heartbreaking. We mourn their loss, remember their lives, 
and continue to pray for their families and loved ones.
  The officers of the Capitol Police deserve our eternal thanks. We 
will never forget the dangers they faced, the determination they 
showed, or the sacrifices they made.
  Make no mistake, those who are responsible for Wednesday's chaos will 
be brought to justice, which brings me to today's debate. I believe 
impeaching the President in such a short timeframe would be a mistake.
  No investigations have been completed. No hearings have been held. 
What is more, the Senate has confirmed that no trial will begin until 
after President-elect Biden is sworn in.
  But here is what a vote to impeach would do. A vote to impeach would 
further divide this Nation. A vote to impeach will further fan the 
flames of partisan division.
  Most Americans want neither inaction nor retribution. They want 
durable, bipartisan justice. That path is still available, but it is 
not the path we are on today.
  That doesn't mean the President is free from fault. The President 
bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters. 
He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was 
unfolding.
  These facts require immediate action by President Trump: accept his 
share of responsibility, quell the brewing unrest, and ensure 
President-elect Biden is able to successfully begin his term.
  And the President's immediate action also deserves congressional 
action, which is why I think a factfinding commission and a censure 
resolution would be prudent. Unfortunately, that is not where we are 
today.
  Truly, this past week was one of the most difficult for Congress and 
our Nation. Of all the days here, last Wednesday was the worst day I 
have ever seen in Congress. Our country is deeply hurt.
  So, where do we go from here? After all the violence and chaos of the 
last week, it is important to remember that we are still here to 
deliver a better future for all Americans. It does not matter if you 
are liberal, moderate, or conservative; all of us must resist the 
temptations of further polarization. Instead, we must unite once again 
as Americans.
  I understand, for some, this call for unity may ring hollow, but 
times like these are when we must remember who we are as Americans and 
what we, as a nation, stand for.
  As history shows, unity is not an option; it is a necessity. It is as 
necessary today as it was at the start of our country. I want us all to 
think back to how John Adams and the Federalist Party handed power over 
to Thomas Jefferson and his party after the election of 1800.
  That election and, indeed, that era was one of the most divisive 
ever. Partisans used every dirty trick in the book. They demonized each 
other, dismissed reasonable dissent, and described their opponents as 
seditious. Sound familiar?
  The election of 1800 could have destroyed our young Nation, but 
instead of breaking us, it helped bring us together, thereby preserving 
the world's last best hope of freedom. After a hard-fought battle over 
the electoral college in Congress, Adams conceded. A peaceful transfer 
of power, the first in American history, took place.
  Jefferson, for his part, put aside the division of the era and 
preached forgiveness and, yes, unity. In his first inaugural address, 
he famously said: ``Every difference of opinion is not a difference of 
principle.''
  Jefferson and Adams did not end every difference of opinion that 
existed in America, nor did they try. In a free country as big and 
diverse as ours, that would be impossible. What they did was more 
important. They recognized the deeper unity, a unity rooted in the 
famous proposition both men helped to write. At a critical moment in 
history, our Founders chose peace, liberty, and partnership over 
tension, division, and partisanship.
  For the sake of our country, we must make the exact same choice. We 
have already begun.
  Last week, despite the lingering shock and amid the windows still 
broken, we did what all healthy democracies do. We debated, and we 
voted. In this country, we solve our disputes at the ballot box and 
through debates and votes on the floor of this exact Chamber. We did 
our duty then, and we must do more.
  The eyes of the Nation and the world are upon us. We must seize this 
opportunity and heal and grow stronger. As leaders, our place in 
history depends on whether we call on our better angels and refocus our 
efforts to work directly for the American people.
  United, we can deliver the peace, strength, and prosperity our 
country desperately needs. Divided, we will fail.
  What we saw last week was not the American way. Neither is the 
continued rhetoric that Joe Biden is not the legitimate President.
  Let's be clear: Joe Biden will be sworn in as President of the United 
States in 1 week because he won the election.
  And his Presidency and this Congress will face immediate challenges 
that must be addressed. I stand ready to assist in that effort with 
good faith, goodwill, and an open hand.
  The United States remains exceptional. We remain extraordinary. In 
the coming weeks and months, we must work together, all of us, to 
recharge the light of our shining city on the hill.
  History has shown us a way. History has given us a path. Just as 
Adams and Jefferson have shown, now is the moment that we should do the 
exact same.
  In these trying times, may God continue to bless America. Let's chart 
a course that history will repeat but not what is happening today.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).
  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, just over a year ago, I stood right there 
where you are standing today as we took the solemn step of impeaching 
the President of the United States for pressuring a foreign leader to 
take unlawful actions to help him in his reelection.
  Just 1 week ago, almost to the hour, I laid right there on the floor 
of the gallery above us. I heard gunshots in the Speaker's lobby. I 
heard the mob pounding on the door. They were an angry mob, incited by 
the President, trying to stop certification of a legitimate election.
  It is clear the President learned nothing in the last year. 
Yesterday, the President said again he did nothing wrong.
  This man is dangerous. He has defied the Constitution. He has incited 
sedition. And he must be removed.
  We all took a pledge on January 3 to uphold the Constitution. We must 
honor that oath. We must vote ``yes'' on this Article of Impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
  Mrs. BOEBERT. Glory to God.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose this impeachment and denounce 
the recent violence on the Capitol, just as I opposed the previous 
impeachment and the violence we have all witnessed all summer long 
across our great country.
  Make no mistake here, the hypocrisy of the left is on full display.

       Go to the Hill. Get in the face of some Congresspeople. We 
     have got to fight in Congress, fight in the courts, fight in 
     the streets. Take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of 
     him. Go and take Trump out tonight.

  Sound familiar? What about the gentlewoman from New York who defended 
the looting by saying looters just want loaves of bread? The last I 
checked, Best Buy and Tesla and stores of the like do not produce baked 
goods.
  Where is the accountability for the left after encouraging and 
normalizing violence? Rather than actually helping American people in 
this time, we start impeachments that further divide our country.
  I call bull crap when I hear the Democrats demanding unity. Sadly, 
they are only unified in hate.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of impeaching again the

[[Page H173]]

worst President in the history of the United States.
  Since his first day in office, this President has spent 4 years 
abusing his power, lying, embracing authoritarianism, and radicalizing 
his supporters against democracy.
  This corruption poisoned the minds of his supporters, inciting them 
to willingly join with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and paramilitary 
extremists in a siege of the United States Capitol Building, the very 
seat of American democracy.
  The Republican Party is now the Trump party. And I want you to know 
that this is a Trump power grab that will not stop. It will not stop 
with attacking the Capitol and our State legislatures. This President 
intends to exercise power long after he is out of office.
  It is reported that the President of the United States watched the 
invasion of our Capitol from the Oval Office and seemingly enjoyed it. 
I want you to know we should be concerned that the Republicans will 
defend him, and he is capable of starting a civil war.
  He must be impeached. He must be stopped now.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Newhouse).
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for 
yielding me the time.
  Madam Speaker, this is a sad day in our Republic, but not as sad or 
disheartening as the violence we witnessed in the Capitol last 
Wednesday.
  We are all responsible. My colleagues are responsible for not 
condemning rioters this past year, like those who barricaded the doors 
of the Seattle Police Department and attempted to murder the officers 
inside. Others, including myself, are responsible for not speaking out 
sooner, before the President misinformed and inflamed a violent mob who 
tore down the American flag and brutally beat Capitol Police officers.
  Madam Speaker, we must all do better. These Articles of Impeachment 
are flawed, but I will not use process as an excuse. There is no excuse 
for President Trump's actions.
  The President took an oath to defend the Constitution against all 
enemies, foreign and domestic. Last week, there was a domestic threat 
at the door of the Capitol, and he did nothing to stop it.
  That is why, with a heavy heart and clear resolve, I will vote 
``yes'' on these Articles of Impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, could I ask how much time each side has 
remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio has 36\1/4\ minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from New York has 36\3/4\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss).
  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Madam Speaker, a mob desecrated our Capitol, killed 
a police officer, and attempted to overthrow our government on the 
orders of the President of the United States. Immediate impeachment is 
our duty under the Constitution that compels us to defend against 
enemies, foreign and domestic.
  As a Marine officer, I defended our democracy from foreign enemies. 
As a Member of Congress, I am solemnly resolved to defend it from 
domestic ones.
  With this vote, we strike a blow for moral leadership.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

                              {time}  1345

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, America is at a crossroads. As the violent 
riots at the Capitol last week so painfully and shockingly reminded us, 
the unhinged partisan rhetoric that too often consumes the political 
dialogue in this country has become toxic and is tearing us apart. If 
we continue down this path, there is no telling how much damage to our 
Union there may be.
  Sadly, that is what is happening here today. The majority is rushing 
through yet a second impeachment of President Trump, who has but 7 days 
remaining in office. As prominent constitutional law professor Jonathan 
Turley has cautioned: Today a dangerous precedent is being set that 
could lead to the normalization of snap impeachments without any 
hearings or any meaningful discussion or debate.
  The majority is ramming through this House the most potent tool at 
our disposal without a single hearing, turning a process that usually 
takes months into a few short hours.
  We haven't heard testimony from a single witness. We haven't heard 
from any experts on the nature of these charges, nor the damage this 
effort could inflict on our Republic. We didn't know even how this 
debate would unfold until 9 a.m. this morning.
  This is truly an unprecedented situation and one which could cause 
irrevocable harm to our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, it doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to 
continue down this misguided path. We could instead follow the wisdom 
provided by none other than Abraham Lincoln during another divisive 
time in our Nation's history and listen to the better angels of our 
nature. We could choose a more positive, constructive path and vote 
down this ill-conceived effort.
  We should tone down the political rhetoric. We should work together 
to solve the problems that face our Nation. We should put aside our 
differences and find common ground.
  We should bring Americans back together because there is no crisis we 
can't overcome if we stand united.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler).
  Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand against our 
enemy. To clarify, our enemy isn't the President or the President-
elect.
  Fear is our enemy. Fear tells us what we want to hear. It incites 
anger and violence and fire, but it also haunts us into silence and 
inaction.
  What are you afraid of? I am afraid of what people will say or think. 
I am afraid of being devalued. I am not afraid of losing my job, but I 
am afraid that my country will fail. I am afraid patriots of this 
country have died in vain. I am afraid my children won't grow up in a 
free country. I am afraid injustice will prevail.
  But truth, truth sets us free from fear. Truth doesn't guarantee bad 
things won't happen, but it does promise to always prevail in the end. 
It has no shadows where darkness can hide. With truth comes love, and 
we could use that right now.
  My vote to impeach our sitting President is not a fear-based 
decision. I am not choosing a side; I am choosing truth. It is the only 
way to defeat fear.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).
  Ms. VAN DUYNE. Today, I should be in my district working for my 
constituents. Instead, I am back here in Washington because the 
majority could not resist another made-for-TV impeachment.
  American workers are losing their jobs and struggling to feed their 
families. Small businesses are being forced to lay off workers and 
close their doors. Families are, tragically, losing loved ones to the 
coronavirus.
  Instead of creating or even saving American jobs, or negotiating 
additional COVID relief, we are debating an impeachment that has been 
preceded by no inquiry, no meaningful debate, and no due process.
  In 1 week's time, Joe Biden will be the President. The American 
people need us to rise above the heat of the moment, to focus on their 
needs, and to deliver real solutions.
  Because the majority decided we should debate whether or not to 
remove a sitting President in just 2 hours, I will be brief: I oppose 
this Article of Impeachment.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Bourdeaux).
  Ms. BOURDEAUX. Madam Speaker, I teach a civics class where I point 
out that our democracy is not self-executing. It requires people of 
good faith and ethics to make it work.
  The President has repeatedly challenged Georgia's election results. 
But, despite three recounts and many investigations, the results are 
clear: Joe Biden won Georgia.
  The idea that our election was fraudulent is a lie. Our President 
used this lie to incite a violent mob to attack the Capitol.
  I ask my colleagues to act with ethics and good faith, to reject 
these lies,

[[Page H174]]

and, in this case, to support the Article of Impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Posey).
  Mr. POSEY. In our campaigns, we may be adversaries, but usually, 
after campaign season is over, we have traditionally come together for 
the good of our Nation.
  Now more than ever in our lifetimes, we are a divided Nation. One of 
the reasons? The resist movement, which has harassed, harangued, and 
otherwise denigrated the President since the second he became the 
nominee.
  While his sins may be different than yours or mine, they are clearly 
not treasonous. Let our men and women in blue, who suffered a lot more 
stress than the Members of Congress they protected, have the time they 
deserve to recuperate, and do the same for millions of Americans who 
feel they have been disenfranchised.
  I beseech my colleagues on both sides of the aisle: If you truly want 
our Nation to heal, vote ``no'' on this resolution.
  It reeks of nothing more than revenge and sets a dangerous precedent. 
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown).
  Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, a week ago, Americans and this Chamber 
lived through one of our darkest days. The Commander in Chief incited a 
mob of insurrectionists to overturn the results of a free and fair 
election through terror and intimidation.
  They failed, but this violence took its toll. People died; our 
country's temple of democracy was vandalized; and our image as the 
world's leading democracy was shaken.
  President Trump represents a real threat to our national security, 
our democratic institutions, and the people of this country.
  We cannot let Donald Trump, who actively orchestrated sedition, lead 
our Nation's government for another 7 days. We cannot wait until 
January 20. Donald Trump must be removed.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gooden).
  Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my 
Democratic colleagues for finally joining Republicans in condemning mob 
violence after 6 months of refusing to acknowledge it.
  But I am really tired of sanctimonious sermons on being a sore loser 
from some of the same Democrats who opposed accepting results in 
elections past. Democrats have objected to certifying every Republican 
victory of the 21st century. In 2000, 2004, and in 2016, Democrats 
objected every time.
  When they objected, it was patriotic. But when Republicans do it, we 
are inciting a mob; we are liars; and we are traitors. This is the 
double standard we should expect under total Democrat control.
  They have called for unrest in the streets. They have called for 
harassing Cabinet officials. They have objected to certifying election 
results time and time again. Even the Judiciary chairman secured 
clemency for a domestic terrorist who detonated a bomb right here in 
this building. But we are the extremists? I don't think so.
  We have been silenced by Big Tech on social media, by corporate 
America. Now the other side wants to silence us on the House floor.
  This is a sad day in America. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Bush), a new Member of the House and a 
new member of the Judiciary Committee.
  Ms. BUSH. Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise in support of the 
Article of Impeachment against Donald J. Trump.
  If we fail to remove a white supremacist President who incited a 
white supremacist insurrection, it is communities like Missouri's First 
District that suffer the most.
  The 117th Congress must understand that we have a mandate to 
legislate in defense of Black lives. The first step in that process is 
to root out white supremacy, starting with impeaching the white 
supremacist in chief.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Jackson).
  Mr. JACKSON. I rise in opposition to the Article of Impeachment.
  Let me be clear, what happened last Wednesday was a stain on our 
Nation, and the criminals and the rioters responsible should be 
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
  It is clear now more than ever that our country needs to come 
together, and Congress, this Congress, needs to lead by example and 
begin the process of healing the deep division that exists among us as 
Americans.
  The article before us today will not accomplish that. In fact, the 
sham Article of Impeachment will only serve to further fan the flames 
of unrest and to appease the radical left's appetite for division.
  We should be focusing on restoring communities devastated by 
lockdowns, working on America's vaccine rollout, aiding a bipartisan 
investigation into these attacks, and ensuring election integrity, not 
impeaching a President who has promised a peaceful transition and who 
has less than 7 days left in office.
  It is time to focus on the unprecedented challenges we face, and it 
is time to focus on unity. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to 
oppose the Article of Impeachment.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to support H. 
Res. 24, the Article of Impeachment against Donald Trump for high 
crimes and misdemeanors for a second time.
  Let us be very clear, what took place on January 6, 2021, was an act 
of domestic terrorism by rightwing sycophantic white supremacists, 
promoted, instigated, and advanced by the man in the White House, 
Donald Trump.
  Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``The ultimate 
weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the 
very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it 
multiplies it.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, my father once said to me: Just because 
you can do something doesn't mean you should.
  In the short time I have served in this body, one thing is clear: 
This is not a serious place.
  Last year, we watched as the other side delayed COVID relief for 
months to inflict maximum pain and sway the outcome of the election. 
The Speaker said as much.
  Yet, these last 2 days, we have seen just how fast they can move when 
they want to exact political retribution on their opponent.

  My friends on the other side now have complete control of both Houses 
of Congress. In a few days, they will control the entire executive 
branch as well.
  Madam Speaker, Joe Biden has talked unity and healing. Is that what 
this is today? Is accusing Republican lawmakers of sedition and calling 
for their expulsion the plan for healing? Is working with Silicon 
Valley to digitally disappear those with whom they disagree with the 
plan for reconciliation?
  I was among the first to condemn the riots in Madison months ago, and 
I condemn what happened last week. But where were the swift accusations 
of incitement and insurrection from the other side last year? Is 
today's political theater a preview of what the American people can 
expect from single-party rule, 2 years of double standards, of 
punishing those who voted for someone else?
  Madam Speaker, I hope Mr. Biden is watching today and that he will 
rise to the moment and call off this effort to rub salt in the wounds 
of millions of Americans.
  It is now time for all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike, to 
turn down the temperature.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver).
  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, it would be an error to suppose that men 
and women can be courageous every day. It would be unfair to anticipate 
that I or any Member of this body

[[Page H175]]

could be a lion every day. No one is expected to be a lion day after 
day after day. But on this day, lions are required.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).
  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  After President Trump was not impeached, Susan Collins said he has 
learned a pretty big lesson; he was impeached.
  Then he brought his ``It will be wild,'' riotous television show that 
he produced for one person, individual one.
  Intelligence reports indicate that the people he said he loves and 
are special are going to attack this city and attack this Capitol next 
week. He has not asked them not to do it. He has not told them to stand 
down. I most fear January 20 because I think he will try to go out with 
a bang.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, the statement from the President: I urge 
that there must be no violence, no law breaking, no vandalism of any 
kind. This is not what I stand for, is not what America stands for. I 
call on all Americans to help ease tensions and calm down.
  I just put out that statement by the President of the United States.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Cline).
  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time, and I thank the President for his words. Above the entrance to 
the House of Representatives is a sculpture called the Apotheosis of 
Democracy. It depicts allegorical peace dressed in armor and protecting 
the genius of America.
  Last week, that peace was tragically torn apart as our U.S. Capitol 
was invaded for the first time since the War of 1812. A violent mob, 
including many with the most hostile of intentions, broke past security 
barriers and unleashed destruction and chaos throughout the Capitol. 
When it was over, six individuals were dead, including two Capitol 
police officers.
  I have always supported the rights of citizens to peaceably assemble, 
but those who breached the Capitol and assaulted and killed Capitol 
police should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If their 
intent was to stop the constitutional requirement of this body to count 
electoral votes, they should be charged and prosecuted for insurrection 
against the government.
  But we are a Nation of laws, not of men, and the legal standard for 
incitement to violence has not been met.
  Now, a week since the riots threatened the people's House and a week 
until a new President takes office, we are rushing through an 
impeachment without all of the facts and evidence and without due 
process.
  We don't know what kind of information the offenders have, what 
evidence will come out during their trials, whether it bolsters the 
majority's claims or the minority's views, or whether it implicates 
other individuals, groups, or other officials in the attack on this 
hallowed institution. We just don't know, and that is why we must treat 
the power of impeachment and our responsibility as holders of this 
power with the seriousness and solemnity it deserves.
  Let us gather the evidence. Let us hear the judiciary, make an 
informed decision together. This action will only further fuel the 
political divide among our citizens and will be detrimental to the 
long-term efforts to unify our country.
  I reiterate my call from last night. Let us work together. Both 
President Trump and President-elect Biden have called for a peaceful 
transition of power. I humbly beseech my colleagues to work toward this 
end to unify our country and not go down this dangerous path.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, January 6 was a horrific day for our 
country, for our democracy. The Capitol was breached, the blood of our 
defenders spilled, all because of a lie that the elections were stolen, 
a lie that has infected this Nation as perniciously as the pandemic.
  President Trump is the source of that lie. He has perverted and 
betrayed his oath to defend the Constitution, attacking the foundation 
of our democracy by inciting his supporters to violence. He is not fit 
to serve and is a danger to our country while he does.
  I too pledged to support and defend the Constitution against all 
enemies, foreign and domestic. I will uphold that oath.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, what did the Speaker know, and what did 
other legislative leaders know, and when did they know it? Maybe that 
is a rush to impeach the President so we will never know what 
legislative leaders here knew.
  The FBI knew about a number of individuals that were planning a war 
on the Capitol, including killing police officers, and they shared the 
information. But nothing happened.
  The chief Federal prosecutor in Washington stated he is pursuing 
conspiracy charges. The fact that IEDs were constructed and placed 
informs me that there was preplanning for portions of the tragic events 
last week.
  How does the President incite an attack that was preplanned and 
already underway before his speech concluded?
  Now, I know my colleagues on the left want America to believe that 
the President incited a spontaneous riot that they would like to call 
an insurrection, but the facts are stubborn things, even if you choose 
to ignore them.
  The truth is the multiple lawless and violent events last summer, 
including a months-long siege of a Federal courthouse, burning, 
looting, physical violence in so-called sanctuary cities, more closely 
fits the definition of insurrection than anything the President said 
last week.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
  The American people are asking: Is there any depravity too low? Is 
there any outrage too far? Is there any blood and violence too much to 
turn hearts and minds in this body instead of the usual justification, 
rationalization, and enabling in false equivalence we have to hear?
  This is a moment of truth, my friends. Are you on the side of chaos 
and the mob, or on the side of constitutional democracy and our 
freedom? It is that simple. That is what this vote for impeachment 
represents.
  Madam Speaker, I will not turn a blind eye to the President inciting 
an armed insurrection against Congress.
  In the leadup to the election and in its aftermath, the President 
peddled outrageous lies to overturn a free and fair election.
  When that didn't work, he launched an armed attack on a coequal 
branch of government.
  As the mob closed in, I will never forget it, the banging got louder. 
(BANG)
  The President watched the violence unfold on television. (BANG)
  Republicans begged him to call off the mob. (BANG)
  Instead, the President attacked his own Vice President whose life was 
already in danger. (BANG)
  Now five people are dead, and some of my colleagues are calling for 
unity.
  I support unity, but unity cannot be a subterfuge for avoiding 
accountability.
  And today, I vote for accountability.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, could I inquire how much time each side 
has remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio has 25 minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from New York has 31\1/4\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Crow).
  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, last week, I stood in that gallery to defend 
this Chamber against the violent mob called here by Donald Trump. I 
have dedicated my life to the defense of our Nation, and Donald Trump 
is a risk to all that I love.
  Some of my Republican colleagues are afraid of the consequences of an 
impeachment vote, but this Congress

[[Page H176]]

sends our young men and women to war every day. I am not asking you to 
storm the beaches of Normandy but only show a fraction of the courage 
we ask of our troops every day.
  Leadership is hard. It is time to impeach.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman 
for yielding me the time.
  I heard a few minutes ago that there had been no hearings. Well, I 
have heard from the people of the Seventh District of Illinois. They 
have told me what to do. They have said: Impeach this President. 
Impeach this President, and do it now.
  I will follow their instructions and vote ``yes'' to impeach this 
President.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar).
  Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  On January 6, terrorists attacked the United States of America. It 
was an attempted coup and an insurrection. But what I hope Americans 
understand is that it was a terrorist attack against our country.
  Those who came and participated must be found and prosecuted. Those 
who aided and abetted must be found and prosecuted. And the man who 
incited it, President Donald J. Trump, our greatest national security 
threat, must be impeached, held accountable, and never be allowed to 
hold office again.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo).
  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, future generations are not going to know 
the names of each Member in the Chamber today and voting, but they will 
know what we did and why. We must impeach the President because he 
incited the mob that attacked the Capitol of the United States, the 
tabernacle of our democracy. He is incapable of honoring his oath and 
our Constitution, and he has proven to be unfit and dangerous.
  I will vote to impeach this traitor to our country.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today I cast my vote for the second 
time to impeach Donald J. Trump. He is unfit to hold office. He 
summonsed and dispatched his mob to kidnap and hurt many of us. He is 
unfit to hold office.
  He summonsed and dispatched his mob to assassinate Vice President 
Pence, to assassinate Speaker Pelosi. He is unfit to hold office.
  He summonsed and dispatched a mob that waved the racist Confederate 
flag and assaulted this Capitol, resulting in the death of five 
Americans, including two Capitol Police officers. He is unfit to hold 
office. We must impeach now.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia).
  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today in the strongest 
possible support for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. When Trump 
made a last desperate attempt to steal the Presidency, to reject the 
will of the people by encouraging insurrection, he became the first 
President to incite an attempted overthrow of the institutions he is 
sworn to protect.
  That is a horrifying first, and his actions necessitate another. He 
should be the first President impeached and removed from office in the 
history of our country. I voted to impeach him once, and I am willing 
to do it again.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia).
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, this President took an oath to 
protect and defend the Constitution. Instead, he has chosen to betray 
and attack our sacred democracy.
  This President violated his oath. He abused the power of his office, 
attempted to betray the will of the American people, and incited 
insurrection against this very House.
  During the last impeachment trial, I reminded all Americans that 
democracy is a gift that each generation gives to the next. We must do 
all to protect it for our children and our future.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Steube).
  Mr. STEUBE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. For 3 
years, Democratic Members of this body and the mainstream media lied to 
the American people that the Trump campaign colluded and conspired with 
Russia--for years--after an exhaustive investigation was found that 
there was no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
  Should Democratic Members of this body resign for lying to the 
American people repeatedly and sowing division and dissension all 
across America? And it was all a lie.
  Madam Speaker, you have brought one Article of Impeachment to the 
floor, and your one allegation alleges: ``Donald John Trump engaged in 
high crimes and misdemeanors by inciting violence against the 
Government of United States.''
  In D.C., it is a crime to ``intentionally or recklessly act in such a 
manner to cause another person to be in reasonable fear and to incite 
or provoke violence when there is a likelihood that such violence will 
ensue.''
  There was no language in the President's speech that incited or 
provoked violence. In fact, at around the 18-minute mark, he stated: 
``Peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.''
  You may think that he is inciting violence because he believes there 
was election fraud. That is his opinion, and he is entitled to that 
opinion, just like all of you were entitled to your false and 
fraudulent opinion that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
  The legal elements of incitement are based on the Supreme Court case 
Brandenburg v. Ohio, in which the Supreme Court set the standard for 
speech that could be prosecuted without violating the First Amendment. 
Brandenburg's speech called for violence against groups of Americans, 
and the Court found that Brandenburg's comments were not directed to 
inciting or producing imminent lawless action.
  The Court found that it was protected speech, and he was calling for 
violence. That is the current law of the land.
  The President didn't even mention violence last Wednesday, much less 
provoke or incite it. There was no crime committed; therefore, no basis 
for impeachment, as you need a high crime or misdemeanor for a basis.
  You have created a mockery out of the impeachment process, and I urge 
all my colleagues to stand against it and fight the latest fraud being 
perpetrated against the American people by the radical left.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford).
  Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Article of 
Impeachment. Last Wednesday's events were not just a breach of a 
building, but a breach of our democracy, a threat to our Republic and 
to who we are as Americans.
  Donald Trump incited insurrection against America and attempted to 
overturn the will of the people. We must send a clear message that 
committing sedition disqualifies a President from serving another day 
in office. I urge this body to vote for impeachment. I will.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).
  Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, last evening, an 11-year-old girl joined 
our telephone townhall. Her question

[[Page H177]]

shook me to my core. She was worried about the future of this great 
Nation, and I am, too. That is why I must move forward with impeachment 
of this President. He has endangered this Nation. He has betrayed his 
oath.
  I do this now for all of us, for our Constitution, and for this 
Republic. I do this to tell the world that this great democracy will 
stand and no one is above the law. I do this for our future 
generations.
  I urge us all to unite and to vote ``yes'' on impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman).
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, history is watching and saving the 
receipts. Today, my colleagues across the aisle must choose which side 
of a very bright line they want to be recorded on for all time.
  On one side: Lies, sedition, inciting and supporting insurrection and 
domestic terrorism.
  The other side: Your oath of office, the Constitution, democracy, 
decency.
  There is no middle ground. Today, we make history forever. So choose 
well.
  A vote to impeach Donald Trump means, years from now, you can look 
your grandchildren in the eye and say, ``I did the right thing.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs).
  Ms. JACOBS of California. Madam Speaker, the response to political 
violence must always be accountability. Without accountability, more 
violence will follow. I learned that working at the United Nations and 
the State Department in conflict settings around the world, and the 
United States Congress is now a conflict setting.
  A violent mob threatened our lives in this Chamber and almost 
succeeded, incited by the President, who broadcasted live about the 
outcome of our election. We must hold this President accountable. It is 
the only way to protect our democracy.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am certain that every Member 
of Congress would say, if they had been in Congress when John Lewis 
walked across that Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Civil Rights Act was 
passed, they would have stood on the right side of history.
  Well, Madam Speaker, today, we are going to see exactly what side of 
history Members are going to be on.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn).
  Mr. CAWTHORN. Madam Speaker, today represents a unique opportunity in 
our Nation's history, an opportunity to put America first, to put her 
people first. Today is a moment for Members of Congress to put aside 
partisan politicking and place people over power.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against this divisive impeachment and 
realize that dividing America will not save this Republic. I urge my 
colleagues to not simply vote for what feels good.
  Of course, it feels good for the Democrats to have a united 
constituency for a few more days, but I was elected to come here and 
vote for things that actually do good, to bring much-needed help to the 
American people.
  I am willing to take the first step and extend my hand across the 
aisle to say: Vote against impeachment; vote in favor of a unified 
nation; and I will forsake partisanship and work with you, no matter 
who you are or what party you come from.
  Madam Speaker, I urge that we all vote to finally put America first.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Jones), a new Member of the House and a new member of the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the impeachment of 
Donald J. Trump, the disgraced, defeated President of the United 
States. There must be consequences for last week's treason and 
sedition. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Donald Trumps in today's 
Republican Party aim to run for higher office; and we must send a 
message that no one in the United States of America is above the law. 
The world is watching, Madam Speaker.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, 1 week ago, the President of the United 
States incited a deadly attack on the United States Capitol, while a 
couple of dozen Members of this House and I covered ourselves in that 
Gallery, away from the Trump mob. Five dead, including Capitol Police. 
If inciting an insurrection does not warrant impeachment, nothing does.
  I took an oath to uphold the Constitution against all enemies, 
foreign and domestic.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. KILDEE. Today, I uphold my oath.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to strongly object to the 
Article of Impeachment proposed against President Trump, which makes 
the preposterous claim that President Trump wanted or expected the 
riots that took place last week. He clearly said he wanted a peaceful 
and patriotic demonstration. He did say he wanted people to ``fight 
like hell or we are not going to have a country anymore,'' but that is 
obviously standard hyperbole and was not meant to aim at physical 
fights.
  But what is offensive is what you are saying--and is inflammatory--
about the tens of thousands of peaceful protesters who were there last 
week, as well as the tens of millions of people they represent. You 
don't understand why they are here.
  They are scared to death we are going to go back to the days without 
Donald Trump, of hundreds of thousands of people crossing the border 
every month. They are scared to death nobody is going to keep our 
manufacturing here. They are scared to death that nobody else will 
fight the cancel culture as we head toward an era when some things 
can't be said. They are scared to death that the majority party got 
here by teaming up with Black Lives Matter, a bunch founded by Marxists 
and the dislike of family.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Garamendi).
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today determined to fulfill our 
sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, 
foreign and domestic. Last week's violent insurrection on the Capitol 
was a stain on our democracy. A riotous mob incited by the President 
stormed these very Halls, beat and murdered police officers, planted 
pipe bombs, and left our Nation shocked and in mourning.
  The President's rhetoric, actions, and refusal to accept 
responsibilities are an imminent threat to our Nation. I vote to 
impeach the President. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi).
  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, my parents brought me as an infant 
to America because they knew it is the land of democracy. It is the 
beacon of hope for all the world. We called it the American Dream.
  When Donald Trump told rioters to go to the Capitol and, quote, 
unquote, ``fight like hell,'' he incited an attack on the Capitol and 
the ideals comprising the American Dream.
  I am voting for impeachment because I know we are still the country 
my parents believed in, and I will fight like hell for it.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, the 6th, Democrats and 
Republicans hid on the floor, put on gas masks, and were ushered out of 
this room.

[[Page H178]]

  We, in this country, cannot begin healing and unity without 
accountability and justice. The President of the United States incited 
a violent insurrection against Congress--you, me--and the Vice 
President of the United States. This cannot be ignored. Impeach now.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on January 6, Donald Trump 
incited his white nationalist supporters to initiate an attempted coup 
against the heart of our democracy, the United States Capitol. This 
heinous act of domestic terrorism demands that Congress act to remove 
this President.
  Donald Trump has been, and remains, a threat to our national security 
and our democracy, and he is wholly unfit to serve as President. He and 
his supporters must be held accountable for inciting violence against 
the Government of the United States. Congress must act immediately to 
remove this clear and present danger from our country.

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Georgia (Mrs. Greene).
  Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am against the impeachment 
effort by the Democrats.
  President Trump has held over 600 rallies in the last 4 years. None 
of them included assaulting police, destroying businesses, or burning 
down cities.
  Democrats have spent all this time endorsing and enabling violent 
riots that left billions in property damage and 47 dead across the 
United States.
  Democrats are on record supporting violence when it serves their 
cause, in their own words on social media, on interviews, and on the 
fundraising platform ActBlue.
  Democrats support defunding the police when it is someone else's 
city, someone else's home, and someone else's business. Democrats will 
take away everyone's guns, just as long as they have guards with guns.
  Democrats' impeachment of President Trump today has now set the 
standard that they should be removed for their support of violence 
against the American people.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).
  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Speaker, for 2 months, Donald Trump used 
the biggest megaphone in the world to organize a campaign of outright 
lies to overturn a free and fair election. On January 6, he summoned 
and incited a mob of domestic terrorists to fight like hell and sent 
them to ransack this Capitol in order to prevent us from formalizing 
his election loss. It was a grotesque orgy of deadly white supremacism, 
anti-Semitism, and strongman rule.
  Today, we will do our duty and vote to remove the author of this 
horrifying chapter and banish him from public service.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, can I inquire how much time is remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio has 20 minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from New York has 21\3/4\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Levin).
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, what each of us chooses to do 
today, whether we vote to hold this President to account or look the 
other way, we will be remembered by history, by our children and their 
children.
  The facts are clear, the evidence of Trump's insurrection 
overwhelming. History calls on us to do what is right rather than just 
politically expedient. Let us look back on this day with honor, not 
disgrace, knowing we were up to the oath we all took.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Luria).
  Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, the perpetrators of this heinous attack on 
our Nation's democracy were Americans encouraged and emboldened by 
President Trump because he could not accept the outcome of a free and 
fair election.
  His actions are seditious, and the President has proven that he is 
not fit to serve. History will look back on this moment to see who 
stood strong in support of American democracy.
  As my colleagues have said, we must come together, but our Nation 
cannot begin to heal until there is accountability for the atrocity we 
witnessed last week.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Clyde).
  Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the effort to 
impeach President Trump. This course of action will only increase 
dissent and disunity across our country, and it flies in the face of 
all efforts to heal our Nation.
  Quite simply, it is a shameful final act of political retribution, 
retribution this President has weathered since day one.
  I have no doubt that those who breached the Capitol will have due 
process and their day in court. However, there will be no investigation 
in the people's House into whether the allegation against the President 
meets the criteria for a crime worthy of impeachment. No evidence was 
presented. No witness testified. No cross-examination was conducted. No 
due process was afforded. That sets an extremely dangerous precedent 
for the future.
  If my Democratic colleagues were serious in their efforts to get to 
the truth, they would convene the House Judiciary Committee and 
investigate, but they are not.
  And so I am proud to stand before you today to defend our President 
from the injustices my Democratic colleagues are so giddy to pursue. I 
oppose this effort to impeach the President and ask all Members of the 
House to do the same.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Georgia (Mrs. McBath).
  Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart for what our 
Nation has endured.
  All those who have incited an attack on these Halls of freedom must 
never forget that, in every generation, Americans of all colors and 
creeds have laid down their lives in the struggles against tyranny, the 
fight against fascism, and the defense against those who would betray 
the values upon which this Nation was founded.
  It is our duty to shoulder that defense of our democracy here today. 
The President's actions have laid bare his contempt for our 
Constitution, and he must be removed.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Meeks).
  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, the armed insurrectionists who stormed the 
Capitol did not emerge out of a vacuum. They were lied to by Republican 
Senators and Republican Congressmen and -women. But they were incited 
to violence by one man above all else: Donald J. Trump, who tried to be 
the ultimate ruler of our democracy.
  The world is watching. Our allies are watching, and our adversaries 
are watching. We must show them that no one will rule this country and 
be above the law. The cameras of history are rolling. We must act. We 
must impeach Donald J. Trump and show the world what we stand for.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Moore).
  Mr. MOORE of Utah. Madam Speaker, last Wednesday, on my third day, I 
realized that I can make hard and seemingly unpopular decisions. Voting 
to strip electoral college votes from States is a dangerous precedent 
set by Democrats many years ago and perpetuated by my party as well. I 
heard nothing in those debates that justified such a high bar.
  A rushed impeachment will set a similar precedent. Without a single 
hearing or investigation, I simply cannot reach the high bar of 
impeachment.
  To my district, I commit to constantly being objective in all of my 
decision-making.
  And, as I abandon the remainder of my remarks, as I listen to this 
debate, it is no wonder our Nation is divided. We are on an absolute 
race to the bottom. I was hoping that last week we could have hit rock 
bottom.

[[Page H179]]

  I commit to doing better, and I hope that we all can dig in and find 
a way.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).
  Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, domestic terrorists attacked our 
democracy, urged on by a sitting President. These insurrectionists 
believe Donald Trump's lies about the stolen election. They obeyed his 
call to attack. They literally carried his banner while storming 
the Capitol.

  Last week's insurrection was shocking and tragic. It was the 
culmination of 4 years of assaults on our democracy.
  We must impeach this President. And the Congressional Black Caucus 
stands ready to join in a bipartisan message to the likes of Donald 
Trump.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).
  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, the President radicalized 
American citizens. As his Vice President fled from a lynch mob and the 
Speaker cowered and while people died, he watched with glee.
  That is why, even though it is only 7 days before the end of his 
term, we have the fierce urgency of now. Seven days is too long for him 
to be in power. He could declassify state secrets. He could monetize 
national secrets to foreign adversaries.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Arrington).
  Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sorrow to oppose this 
second attempt at a baseless impeachment from my Democrat colleagues.
  This week's attack on the U.S. Capitol was completely unacceptable, 
and the people involved should be met with swift accountability.
  The President didn't incite a riot. The President didn't lead an 
insurrection. There are no high crimes and misdemeanors requisite of an 
impeachment.
  I am not saying the President didn't exercise poor judgment, but to 
criminalize political speech by blaming lawless acts on the President's 
rhetoric is wrong, Madam Speaker, and a very dangerous precedent.
  The criminals who stormed the Capitol that day acted on their own 
volition. They are responsible for their actions.
  This is an important moment, Madam Speaker, for our Nation. We have 
the opportunity to come together and do what is right for our country. 
The votes are certified; President Trump has conceded. Let's focus on 
the future and get back to the people's business.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Newman).
  Ms. NEWMAN. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to speak today. So, today, 
I stand with this body to impeach this President.
  I agree with my Democratic colleagues. I also agree with my 
Republican colleagues: Let's unite.
  Let's unite to address this pandemic and start by simply wearing a 
mask. Let's unite to bring back the economy and start by putting $2,000 
checks in people's pockets. And let's unite to hold these domestic 
terrorists accountable and impeach this President.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 18\1/4\ 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Ohio has 17 minutes remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Norcross).
  Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today at a time of historical 
concern: Last week, on this very House floor, an attack on democracy, 
that symbol. But it was an attack from within on this very floor.
  Let's be clear. Cause and effect: rally at the White House, march 
down Pennsylvania Avenue--a parade in reverse--and an attack on this 
Chamber.
  A police officer was killed, and what I hear is, ``Time to heal.'' He 
is not even buried yet.
  It is clear and present danger. No one is above the law--not the 
President, if he has 4 years or 4 days. We must do the right thing for 
all Americans because he must be held accountable.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Indiana (Mrs. Spartz).
  Mrs. SPARTZ. Madam Speaker, I appreciate a variety of opinions, but 
any accusations must go through the proper due process, whether it is 
election fraud or an impeachable offense.
  As someone who did not support the objection to certification last 
week, I will not support this political charade today.
  The rule of law and due process is vital to what our constitutional 
Republic stands for. Congress should stop playing divisive politics and 
start working on delivering real, good policies for the American 
people.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Panetta).
  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, a week ago was the culmination of carnage 
caused to our country by this President. Four years ago, he said he 
would stop such devastation. Instead, the President has continued to 
debase our democracy with assaults on our elections and incitement at 
the Ellipse and the battery at our Capitol.

  American exceptionalism is not guaranteed; we must always work to 
grow it. That includes our work today to hold President Trump 
accountable. American carnage started with this President. A vote for 
impeachment will stop it for our posterity.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan).
  Mr. POCAN. Madam Speaker, the U.S. Capitol has not been breached for 
over 200 years, since the War of 1812--that is, until last week, when 
it wasn't another country that attacked us but our own President.
  President Donald Trump asked his supporters to march on the Capitol, 
inciting domestic terrorism that cost five lives, including a Capitol 
Police officer.
  We all know, whether you say it aloud or not, Donald Trump is 
responsible for inciting the attacks on our democracy, while he should 
have been the one person protecting it the most. For that, he is unfit 
to be President, and we must impeach him.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Roy).
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding.
  The President of the United States deserves universal condemnation 
for what was clearly, in my opinion, impeachable conduct, pressuring 
the Vice President to violate his oath to the Constitution to count the 
electors.
  His open and public pressure, courageously rejected by the Vice 
President, purposefully seeded the false belief among the President's 
supporters, including those assembled on January 6, that there was a 
legal path for the President to stay in power. It was foreseeable and 
reckless to sow such a false belief that could lead to violence and 
rioting by loyal supporters whipped into a frenzy.

                              {time}  1445

  Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues drafted an article that I 
believe is flawed and unsupportable, focusing on the legal terms of 
incitement and insurrection.
  Even noting impeachment does not require meeting a certain legal 
standard--the danger for open speech and debate in this body and for 
the Republic is high--if the House approves the article as written.
  The language will be used to target Members of this body under 
Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. It will be used to suggest that any 
statements we make are subject to review by our colleagues and to send 
us down a perilous path of cleansing political speech in the public 
square.
  Madam Speaker, we must end this. Let us condemn that which must be 
condemned, and do so loudly. But let us do it the right way, with 
deliberation and without disastrous side effects. We must end tearing 
apart our Nation by social media and sound bites. Let us stop. Let us 
debate. Let us sit down and lead this Nation together.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).

[[Page H180]]

  

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, this vote is not 
one man, one party, or even one day. It is about protecting our Nation, 
preserving democracy and the rule of law.
  The facts are clear and undisputed: President Trump used a litany of 
lies about a stolen election and willfully incited an armed 
insurrection with the intent of stopping the peaceful transfer of 
power. He attacked not just the Capitol, not just Congress, he even 
attacked democracy itself. That is why he must be impeached.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, the President has engaged 
in conduct that is criminal, impeachable, and profoundly threatening to 
our democracy.
  He pressed State officials and Members of this body to overturn a 
legitimate election and to keep him in power. He then invited and 
activated a violent mob to invade the Capitol and achieve his desired 
result by insurrection.
  If that is not impeachable conduct, I don't know what is. The 
President must be removed from office immediately and never allowed to 
hold office again. Our democracy requires it.
  Madam Speaker, the president has engaged in conduct that is criminal, 
impeachable, and profoundly threatening to our democracy.
  He has sought to overturn an election to keep himself in office and 
to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
  He has done this by perpetrating a big lie, despite counts and 
recounts and dozens of judicial rulings, and has pressed state 
officials and members of this body to reject and reverse popular and 
electoral vote outcomes.
  He then invited and activated a violent mob of right-wing extremists, 
domestic terrorists, and white nationalists to invade the Capitol and 
achieve his desired result by insurrection.
  If that is not impeachable conduct, I don't know what is.
  The President must be removed from office immediately and must never 
be allowed to seek office again, and a marker must be laid down for all 
time as to what the Constitution and our democracy require.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Fallon).
  Mr. FALLON. Madam Speaker, last summer, the antifa and BLM riots 
swept all over our country. Cities were burned, businesses destroyed, 
and lives violently stolen. And it wasn't just for an afternoon, like 
those horrible hours we had on January 6; but rather, they went for 
weeks and, in some cases, even months.
  So if there is any silver lining in this dark cloud, it is that our 
friends from across the aisle have come to realize that riots are bad. 
We conservatives have known this all along.
  This snap impeachment is a sham and it didn't go through the 
Committee on the Judiciary. It is not even about the President's actual 
words, but it is about how our Democratic colleagues want to interpret 
his words and fashion a particular meaning to them.
  Now, this is just political grandstanding at its worst. The American 
people desperately want us to move on and tackle the issues and find 
solutions to them forthwith.
  Madam Speaker, let's end this obsession and charade and let's get to 
work.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley).
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, now we hear talk of the President's 
notion of a peaceful transfer of power.
  Which apparently means what? Minimal casualties?
  Now we hear talk of healing after the criminal acts are completed.
  Never, as a criminal defense attorney, did I say: Judge, yeah, my guy 
completed the armed robbery, but let's heal now.
  No. There was accountability. There was accountability then, there 
should be accountability now, and there should be impeachment now.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Ross), a new member of the 
committee.
  Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Article of 
Impeachment. The President's responsibility for the violence and 
insurrection that occurred last Wednesday cannot go unanswered. The 
President has had multiple opportunities to modify his behavior to 
bring this country together. Instead, he uses his power to further 
divide us. He is unrepentant.
  Congress must act for the good of this country.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Good).
  Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I stand today in support of 
President Trump and against this sham impeachment proceeding with 
literally 1 week--7 days--remaining in his term. This is merely the 
culmination of a 4-year effort to overturn the will of the people and 
the results for the 2016 election.
  This is simply a political action intended to tarnish the legacy of a 
highly successful President who led us to an incredible economy, energy 
independence, reduction of taxes for millions, regulatory relief for 
businesses, renewed peace in the Middle East, and stronger border 
security.
  This action will only serve to further offend the 75 million people 
who voted for President Trump, and further deepen the division within 
our Nation as we try to move forward with the peaceful transition of 
power.
  However, the Democrat majority has determined he is already guilty 
and there is no need of a trial; and they, therefore, move forward 
quickly with this phony impeachment charge.
  Today, I join my Republican colleagues in standing against this 
further effort to divide our Nation.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the impeachment.
  It is very simple. What we saw on January 6 was a person, the 
President of the United States, incite a crowd to come and attack the 
Capitol. We have to make sure that we stand up for democracy.
  If we don't do this, then what are we going to stand for?
  We stand for democracy. We stand for American values. And I stand for 
the impeachment of Donald Trump.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon).
  Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, on January 6, President Trump launched an 
attack against the United States Capitol. I, too, urge my colleagues to 
unite, but to unite in love of country, and to hold this President 
accountable.
  What unites our country is respect for the rule of law. Without 
accountability for those who would shatter the rule of law by 
overturning a Presidential election, we cannot take seriously the cries 
of being a united people.
  This President remains a serious threat to our country and he must be 
held accountable.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr.   David Scott).
  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, let me make everybody 
aware that on those just sun-bleached bones of history of many great 
nations are written those poetic words: Too late, they move too late to 
save their great nations.
  Madam Speaker, let us not this day move too late to save our great 
Nation.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Norman).
  Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today for two reasons: One, to 
voice my strong opposition for the impeachment of this President with 7 
days left. Two, to also voice my support for the strong police 
department many of you want to defund.

  Where were your cries to defund when you were leaving this office, 
this very room, on January 6?
  Height of hypocrisy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are kindly reminded to address their 
remarks to the Chair.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman).

[[Page H181]]

  

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, how ironic. An administration begins by 
building an unnecessary wall on our southern border, it ends by making 
necessary, a new wall around this Capitol.
  Madam Speaker, I introduced Articles of Impeachment in July of 2017 
with one cosponsor, Al Green, and again in January of 2019. And on 
Monday night, I joined with so many of us in introducing these 
articles. I have introduced Articles of Impeachment in the 115th, 
116th, and 117th Congress because Donald Trump has continuously posed a 
danger to this republic.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mast).
  Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I rise with a very simple question. On 
January 6, thousands broke the law by taking siege of our Capitol here 
with us inside.
  Has any one of those individuals who brought violence on this Capitol 
been brought here to answer whether they did that because of our 
President?
  It appears I will receive no answer.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).
  Mr. STANTON. Madam Speaker, Donald Trump is the first President in 
the history of this Republic to incite a violent insurrection against 
our own government, against our own people. It is a shocking betrayal 
of his oath of office and our American values. We don't know yet if the 
President will face criminal charges, but we do know he must be held to 
account.
  Each one of us in this House took an oath to protect and defend our 
Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, even if that 
enemy is the President.
  We must move forward as a nation from these darkest days, but we 
can't move forward without accountability. We must impeach this 
President.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, insurrection. A violent mob. A week ago 
today, five people were killed, many injured, and everyone in this 
building forced to hide for their very life.
  The President was called for help, but he did not answer our call 
while our government was being taken over. He failed to lead and, 
therefore, proved himself incapable of doing so.
  Some may say impeachment is political. Some may cry it is divisive. 
Madam Speaker, our obligation to our Constitution is to protect this 
Nation.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano).
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the impeachment 
of President Donald Trump. The gravity of the moment demands it, and 
the fate of our Republic depends on it.
  He committed an impeachable offense by inciting a violent and deadly 
insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. For this, Congress must hold him 
accountable to preserve our democracy, our Constitution, and the rule 
of law.
  He should serve not 1 minute more and be barred forever from public 
office. He is toxic to our Republic and toxic to our democracy.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  So Democrats can say, ``I just don't even know why there aren't 
uprisings all over the country,'' while there are uprisings happening 
around the country, but they impeach the President of the United States 
for saying, ``Peacefully and patriotically, make your voices heard.''
  Democrats can say, ``You know, there needs to be unrest in the 
streets,'' while there is unrest in the streets, but they are going to 
impeach the President for saying, ``Peacefully and patriotically, make 
your voices heard.''
  Let's be consistent, all of us. All of us need to be consistent and 
condemn the violence all the time.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Mexico 
(Ms. Herrell).
  Ms. HERRELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to these Articles of 
Impeachment.
  Political violence has no place in our constitutional Republic, and 
those who assaulted police officers and forced their way into the 
Capitol are responsible for their criminal actions.
  Leaders in both parties have a responsibility to condemn such 
violence, whether in the Halls of Congress or on the streets of 
America.
  I don't believe, Madam Speaker, that the American people have an 
appetite for this. They are expecting us to do the will of those who 
sent us from each State around the Nation.
  Right now, Madam Speaker, we are seeing this body that has impeached 
once before trying to do it a second time. Two wrongs do not make a 
right.
  We have got to stand for the American people, because we will not get 
a second chance to get this right the first time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres), who is a new Member.
  Mr. TORRES of New York. Madam Speaker, the dangerous mob that Donald 
Trump unleashed on the United States Capitol represents a violent 
assault on the separation of powers and on the peaceful transfer of 
power that we have long taken for granted.
  The impeachment of Donald Trump is not politics but law, not passion 
but reason, not vengeance but justice. And we, as the people's 
Representatives, must rise to the challenge of defending democracy in 
the face of its gravest threat, and we will.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan).
  Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I stand before you today in disbelief--
disbelief that, after the President incited a violent mob to commit an 
act of insurrection and remained silent as police officers were 
assaulted, the Capitol was ransacked, and Members of this body fled for 
their lives, that there are still members of his party who refuse to 
hold him accountable.
  It is because of that inaction that there is only one path forward to 
put an end to this Presidency. Donald Trump must be impeached, removed 
from office, and barred from ever holding the Office of the Presidency 
again.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez).
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
because, in America, we hold power to account. In America, we do not 
succumb to violent insurrections incited by a head of state. In 
America, we do not turn a blind eye to high crimes and misdemeanors. 
No. That is not who we are.
  So, today, as a sworn defender of this Nation's Constitution, I will 
vote in favor of impeaching Donald J. Trump.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, may I inquire of the time remaining for 
each side?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio has 10 minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from New York has 9\3/4\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. LaMalfa).
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 
second annual impeachment show extravaganza, brought to you by the 
censors in left-wing media, the fact-check ministers of shutdown in Big 
Tech, and the Democrat Party.
  Today, the second annual impeachment of President Trump isn't really 
about actual words spoken at a rally. No. This is all about, Madam 
Speaker, the unbridled hatred of this President.
  You use any extreme language and any process to oppose the core of 
what he has really fought for. You hate him because he is pro-life, the 
strongest ever. You hate him for fighting for the freedom of religion, 
to not be persecuted by unfair mandates and limitations on speech.
  You hate him for not subscribing to and shackling us with the 
religion of

[[Page H182]]

climate change and one-sided Paris accords. You hate him for Israel. 
You hate him for defending our borders.
  

  You hate him for letting families and small businesses keep what they 
earn, for trying to keep the agents of government off their back.
  You hate him for putting America first, which is what I thought we do 
when we swear the oath.
  No, this shabby show isn't about a threat to our Republic. This is 
the impeachment and muting of at least half of the American people. 
This is a shameful abuse of a process.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from California an 
additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I pray people of all stripes wake up to 
the spectacle and exercise their rights to put a stop to it through 
free speech and through fair elections.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the 
impeachment of President Donald J. Trump for seditious acts against 
America.
  To overturn the 2020 Presidential election, Trump incited a violent 
assault on Congress--a treasonous betrayal of our Nation. This criminal 
incitement left us with five dead, including a police officer; a 
desecrated Capitol; and a second constitutional crisis.
  His acts show contempt for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the 
foundation of any democracy: a peaceful transition of power.
  President Trump is a clear and present danger to American lives and 
democracy, and he leaves us no choice but to immediately remove him 
from office.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 90 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger).
  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against 
impeachment of our sitting President, Donald J. Trump.
  You can tell the American people that this is a vote to impeach upon 
the grounds of inciting violence and insurrection, but the American 
people see a double standard. They see a standard applied to those on 
the left who commit violence, and they see a standard applied to those 
on the right who commit violence. The American people see this, and 
they understand it.
  I have been here all of 1 week, and what I see instead of lawmakers 
who are truth-seekers, I see lawmakers who are power-seekers. That is 
never good--never good. What a shame. What a shame.
  The American people are watching to see how their elected officials 
respond at this moment in history. Will you vote to mend or will you 
vote to further divide this country?
  I am urging you to use this opportunity to be the leaders the 
American people are seeking for such a time as this.
  God help us as a nation, and I pray that God will keep His hand upon 
on the greatest nation that the world has ever seen.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, how much time is remaining, please?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 9\1/4\ 
minutes remaining, and the gentleman from Ohio has 8 minutes remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, President Trump's incitement to 
violently overturn the results of a free and fair election is an attack 
on our rule of law.
  Any President, any Member of Congress who obstructs the electoral 
college or attacks judges and the court system when there is no 
evidence to support their contentions undermines the public's trust and 
confidence in the judicial process.
  How do my Republican colleagues expect ordinary citizens to respect 
and trust the courts in civil and criminal matters all across this 
country? Think about that as you make this decision.
  Vote ``yes'' on the Articles of Impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard.)
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I take no joy in voting to impeach 
President Trump, but this President has blood on his hands in the wake 
of this attempted coup.
  The fact remains, no President of the United States is above the law, 
and this President has sadly violated his oath to support and defend 
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and 
domestic.
  As Members of Congress who have taken that same pledge, it is our 
duty to take this action and impeach this unfit and dangerous 
President.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna).
  Mr. KHANNA. Madam Speaker, I am voting to impeach because, as Lincoln 
said, no grievance is a fit object of redress by mob law.
  But we must recognize that our hard work begins when we address the 
real grievances and despair in left-behind communities. To be worthy of 
this Capitol that we hold sacred, to fix our broken windows and broken 
communities, let's finally commit to investing trillions in creating 
good jobs in healthcare, in education, and in infrastructure for 
communities and places that are hurting.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).
  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support impeachment.
  I do so with a heavy heart and a lasting and searing memory of being 
in this gallery, the people's House, right up there, fearing for my 
life. And why? Because the President of the United States incited 
others to be violent--a mob of insurgents in this House.
  

  It is unacceptable. It led to the killing of five Americans. Blood is 
on this House. We must do something about it.
  I ask that we move from ``stopping the steal'' to healing. But 
healing requires accountability, and everyone must be accountable.
  I will be voting to impeach, and I urge others to vote for 
impeachment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Moore).
  Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I am fairly new here. Actually, 
this is my first floor speech. But I rise to oppose this impeachment.
  I asked my staff this morning, how many times in our Nation's history 
have we impeached a President? Well, they said, up until this 
President, only two times in our Nation's history.
  So here we are, 7 days left in his first term, and we are going to 
impeach a President. For what reasons? For what reasons? There have 
been no hearings. There have been no committees.
  We must defend the right and protect the process of impeachment. If 
we pursue this, from now on, from this day forward, impeachment will 
always be a political process.
  I ask my friends across the aisle--they always talk about healing--
healing. How do we come together as a nation?
  Since 2016, there have been hashtags going around in our Nation that 
said, ``Not our President,'' ``Resist, resist.'' Members across the 
aisle have said things in public to have supporters of this President 
attacked and demeaned.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, last Friday, I sent a letter to my 
constituents telling the story about the violent attack on our Capitol 
Building, which is really like the temple of our democracy.
  I have now taken the oath of office, the same oath of office that the 
President of the United States has taken, that all of us here have 
taken, and he has been the orchestrator of this attack.
  It is time to hold this President accountable. It is time, and 
history demands that we impeach Donald Trump a second time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H183]]

  


                              {time}  1515

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Himes).
  Mr. HIMES. The words have almost all been said. Search your soul. 
Consider your oath. And I add four more words: Reflect on your legacy.
  My friends, which way is history flowing right now? Will Donald Trump 
join the pantheon of Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan? Will 
his 33 percent approval ratings and the condemnation of principled 
Republicans consign him to the heap of reviled demigods with Joseph 
McCarthy and Andrew Johnson?
  Where he goes in history, you go in history, unless, today, you make 
a stand.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. I would like to remind Members to please 
address their remarks to the Chair.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Kahele).
  Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, as a member of our Armed Forces, now a 
Member of Congress, I have taken and given the oath of office many 
times. I will support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, 
foreign and domestic.
  On January 6, the President violated his oath, inciting violent and 
deadly insurrection. Our sacred oaths are hollow without 
accountability. We must hold this President accountable, remove him 
from office, and ensure he can never hold public office again.
  I urge my colleagues to do the same. This oath has to matter. Mahalo.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, this beautiful Capitol dome is a symbol 
of freedom and democracy, not just for Americans but for people the 
world over. The action we take today, this impeachment, is a 
declaration to the world that when there is an attack on our democracy, 
whether it comes from without or whether, tragically, in this instance, 
it comes from within, we will respond to that threat and attack, and we 
will do what is necessary to strengthen our democracy.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin).
  Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I am sickened and angered by what we all 
had to witness last Wednesday and call for the investigation and 
prosecution, to the fullest extent of the law, of every single person 
who participated in the violence and loss of life in this Capitol 
Building last Wednesday.
  I, as a Member sitting here, listening to the entire debate, 
desperately need to better understand the two standards that are at 
play in this House. Why is it okay if a House Democrat calls for 
violence in the streets but not if you are a Republican? Why can a 
House Democrat be rewarded with a gavel and a chairmanship if they are 
calling for physical confrontation of a Trump administration official, 
but they will be punished if they are a Republican?
  The double standards that we have seen time and time again, I need to 
better understand what the rules are of this House. Why is it that a 
committee chairman can lie to the American public about having more 
than circumstantial evidence that the President colluded with the 
Russians in order to win the 2016 election? But, of course, the 
Republicans can't and wouldn't lie to the American public about 
something like that.
  We need to better understand what these two standards are that are at 
play and to complete the record because the House Democrats are here to 
make President Trump the first President to be impeached twice. So, I 
will complete the record.
  First off, in the Article of Impeachment, it is written that the 
President gave a speech and told his supporters to come here, and he 
incited this riot. One speaker after another after another here on the 
other side of the aisle repeated that in the Article of Impeachment.
  We all know that this was their preplanned attack. We all know that 
there were pipe bombs being discovered while the President was 
speaking. We all know that the Capitol perimeter was being breached 
during the President's speech.
  We know that this was preplanned, and it started while the President 
was speaking. Why is that not in the Article of Impeachment? Why is 
that not being incorporated into my colleagues' remarks to complete the 
record, if you want to make the President the first President to be 
impeached twice?
  Well, we will add something else to that. Thank you to the President 
for his efforts to defeat MS-13 in my district. Thank you to the 
President for his efforts to move the Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem 
and recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, to take out 
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Qasem Soleimani, to eliminate the ISIS 
caliphate, to enter into the historic Abraham Accords, to have an 
economy this time last year that was stronger than I ever remember in 
my entire lifetime.
  Yes, we will complete the record, and in all fairness, as the 
President leaves 1 week from today, let's be honest about the double 
standards that exist inside this Chamber. Let's also be honest that 
this President did a lot to make America greater than ever.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Casten).
  Mr. CASTEN. What happens if we get this wrong is written in Lincoln's 
second inaugural, when one party would ``make war rather than let the 
Nation survive.''
  On September 11, we came together against an enemy without. On 
January 6, we were attacked by an enemy from within, the President who 
would make war with malice for all and charity for none.
  We must come together in unity today against that domestic threat to 
our Constitution. The alternative is too unbearable to contemplate.
  We must impeach bipartisanly, unanimously if you have the soul.

  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Article 
of Impeachment and in opposition to the gaslighting that is 
masquerading as debate in this Chamber today.
  I was in this Chamber when the President assembled and unleashed a 
mob to attack the United States Capitol and the United States Congress, 
the elected representatives of the people. By doing so, he incited an 
insurrection against our representative democracy itself.
  If that is not an impeachable offense, then what is?
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, in Michigan's 13th, we proudly speak truth 
to power, even in the face of a racist in chief.
  Those who incited an attack on the people's House do not get to talk 
about healing and unity. They have torn this country apart. They have 
stoked the fire and then handed the gasoline to Donald Trump.
  Dr. King once said: ``True peace is not merely the absence of 
tension; it is the presence of justice.''
  Today, we must embody those words, and we must understand that peace 
must be centered in truth and action.
  We cannot, Madam Speaker, sit idly by after a violent attempted coup 
and allow lies and hate to continue. Today, we stand up for our 
constituents, who continue to be harmed by Donald Trump.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, how much time is remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 3\3/4\ 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Ohio has 4 minutes remaining.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).
  Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, what happened last Wednesday is an 
absolute tragedy. Not only are we part of dealing with it now, we were 
part of it then.
  When emotions are frayed and tensions are this high, process matters 
more. It matters more now than it did

[[Page H184]]

before, and the reality is this. There are serious constitutional 
questions about these articles.
  Donald Trump is going to be President until January 20, and on 
January 20, Joe Biden is going to become President.
  But I am going to vote against impeachment, and that is going to give 
me credibility at home with my base. You are going to vote for 
impeachment, and that is going to give you credibility at home with 
your base. It is easy to point at me and blame me. It is easy for me to 
point at you and blame you.
  But on January 21, we are all going to be back here. So use that 
credibility. Go back and talk some hard truths to your people. I am 
going to do it.
  And we need to do a better job.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Manning).
  Ms. MANNING. Madam Speaker, this President has repeatedly lied to the 
American people about his election loss. He incited his followers to 
attack our democracy, resulting in five deaths. His dangerous efforts 
to derail the peaceful transition of power were a violation of his oath 
of office. This President is unfit to lead our Nation and unable to 
discharge his duties of office.
  I call upon my Republican colleagues to speak the truth to their 
supporters and join me in holding President Trump accountable by voting 
to impeach.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Mrvan).
  Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, since the events on January 6, I spoke with 
a group of ministers from Gary, Indiana. They told me how they are 
praying for unity and justice in our Nation.
  It reminded me of the moment when those of us who were on the House 
floor on January 6 were huddled together in a secure room after the 
attack. House Chaplain Kibben led us all in prayer.
  Let us remember that moment. Let us rekindle that prayer for those 3 
minutes when we were all united to preserve our democracy and justice.
  I support the Article of Impeachment so that we can move forward to 
do the work that our constituents sent us here to do.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 2\3/4\ 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Ohio has 3 minutes remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Moulton).
  Mr. MOULTON. Madam Speaker, there are more troops right now in 
Washington, D.C., than in Afghanistan. They are here to defend us 
against the Commander in Chief, the President of the United States, and 
his mob.
  I would ask my colleagues to look at the faces of those young 
Americans defending democracy, defending us, and find an ounce of their 
courage to do the right thing, as several Republicans have, and take a 
tough vote for the future of democracy, for the future of our country.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Veasey).
  Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, let's be clear about one thing. If we were 
on the eve of a Republican President being sworn in and his Democratic 
predecessor had said the same thing that this President said and 
incited his followers, his mob, to descend upon the Capitol, we would 
be joining them, not making comparisons. Because guess what? I don't 
care about no base.
  I care about this democracy and this country, and what happened the 
other day should never happen again. We need to stand up and do the 
right thing.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, the Republican whip is prepared to close 
for us whenever that is appropriate. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

                              {time}  1530

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I was on that floor just 1 week ago. 
So, today, the insurrectionist in chief will be impeached for 
insurrection.
  It is because he failed to defend this Nation against all enemies, 
domestic and foreign. And he stood down near the White House and told a 
mob of domestic terrorists to go and show your strength, be strong, you 
can't gain anything because of weakness.
  We must hold him accountable. We can heal this Nation, but he must be 
impeached today. We must impeach Donald J. Trump as an insurrectionist.
  Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Judiciary 
and on Homeland Security, as the descendant of patriotic and heroic 
veterans who risked their lives to defend our nation and our freedoms, 
as a parent with the fervent hope and determination to pass on this 
great democracy to the next generation, and as a citizen of the 
greatest republic in world history, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
24, a resolution impeaching the current President of the United States 
for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, warranting his conviction and removal 
from office and, in accordance with Article I, Section 3, clause 7, 
disqualification from ever again holding and enjoying an Office of 
honor, Trust or Profit under the United States.''
  I strongly support the impeachment and removal of this President 
because after the horrifying events of Wednesday last, January 6, 2021, 
another day that will live in infamy, the continuance in office of this 
President for even one moment longer represents a clear and present 
threat to the security of the United States, its people, institutions, 
and democratic form of government.
  To put it in the words of the Framers, the current President's 
conduct reflects and reveals a person ``whose character is thus marked 
by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a 
free people.''
  To put it in contemporary terms, the current President can rightly be 
said to be perhaps the leading cause of state-sponsored domestic 
terrorism.
  Every minute this President remains in office represents a minute of 
maximum peril to the American people and the American Experiment.
  Unrepentant after his perfidious and treacherous conduct of Wednesday 
last, the President just yesterday went to Alamo, Texas, without giving 
any advance notice or consultation to the leaders of that community.
  Does anyone really doubt that the President's true purpose in going 
to Alamo was to signal to his band of disloyalists his desire that they 
make a last stand and fight to the death in his name?
  I do not, and neither does the majority of the American people, and I 
suspect that in their heart of hearts, neither do our colleagues on the 
Republican side.
  Madam Speaker, three facts demonstrate why immediate action to remove 
the President is essential.
  First, the abject failure and refusal of the President to take care 
that the laws be faithfully executed puts lives at risk.
  When the U.S. Capitol was besieged last week by domestic terrorists, 
the President obstructed and denied the request of the Mayor of the 
District Columbia to call out the National Guard to protect life and 
property; it took the Vice-President, working with Speaker Pelosi and 
incoming Senate Majority Leader Schumer to prevail upon the Department 
of Defense to come to the defense of Capitol and the people trapped 
inside.
  Instead of acting in accordance with his sacred oath to preserve, 
protect, and defend the Constitution and to take care that the people 
and property of the United States are protected against all enemies, 
foreign or domestic, the President did nothing but watch the mayhem on 
television, ebullient at the display of support from his lawless 
loyalists.
  Second, the current President's conduct stands in stark and marked 
contrast to his conduct earlier this year when protests were sweeping 
the country in response to the murder of George Floyd, when the 
President dispatched law enforcement authorities to put down peaceful 
protests led by moms and veterans in Portland, Oregon and social 
justice activists in Washington, D.C.
  Back then, the President mobilized a heavy police presence, many on 
horseback and others using tear gas, to clear Lafayette Square of 
peaceful protesters so he could walk across the street to have himself 
photographed clutching a bible upside down in front of a church.
  Third, the President's words, actions, and conduct betray a contempt 
and hostility to the national value of equal justice under law, telling 
the domestic terrorists, nearly all of whom were white and who support 
him politically, who stormed the Capitol to derail Congress from 
completing its constitutionally required duty of counting and verifying 
the votes of

[[Page H185]]

presidential electors, that ``we love you. You're very special,'' while 
referring to African Americans and other persons of color protesting 
social injustice and inequalities in the criminal justice system as 
``animals,'' ``thugs,'' and ``anarchists.''
  Madam Speaker, the President's actions inciting insurrection against 
the United States was the proximate cause of the horrifying siege of 
the U.S. Capitol, the destruction and desecration of the Citadel of 
Democracy, and the deaths of at least six persons, one of whom was a 
uniformed officer to the United States Capitol Police, who was 
bludgeoned to death by the incited mob.
  Abusing the powers and resources of his high office, Donald John 
Trump has actively and continuously endeavored to undermine the 
essential institutions and foundations of a democratic system of 
government in the United States, engaging in a long train of abuses and 
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evincing a design to 
make himself an authoritarian ruler unaccountable to, and independent 
of, the people of the United States.
  The utter unfitness of the President for the office he holds and his 
contempt for the sacred oath he took before the nation with God as his 
witness, was vividly on display on January 6, 2021.
  But signs of his calumny were on display in plain sight, reflected by 
his misbehavior and malfeasance from the earliest days of his 
administration.
  Abusing the powers and resources of his high office, this President 
has actively and continuously endeavored to undermine the essential 
institutions and foundations of a democratic system of government in 
the United States, engaging in a long train of abuses and usurpations, 
pursuing invariably the same object, evincing a design to make himself 
an authoritarian ruler unaccountable to, and independent of, the people 
of the United States by:
  (1) Soliciting and welcoming the assistance of a hostile foreign 
power to aid him in securing election in 2016 as President of the 
United States;
  (2) Refusing to acknowledge Russian interference in the internal 
affairs of the United States, and then opposing responses by Congress 
and the Executive Branch to protect the national security and interests 
of the United States against future Russian interference and 
aggression. (3) Publicly conveying his interest and willingness to 
accept the assistance of foreign powers in his attempt win reelection 
as President of the United States;
  (4) Refusing continuously to acknowledge to the American people that 
he would accept and be bound by the verdict rendered in the 2020 
Presidential election, instead claiming that any outcome in which he 
was not declared the winner was fraudulent, rigged, and illegitimate;
  (5) Taking active measures to impede and undermine the ability of 
American citizens to convey their disapproval of his continuance in 
office by exercising their rights as voters, including misusing the 
United States Postal Service to prevent the timely delivery of mail-in 
ballots;
  (6) Instituting frivolous lawsuits to overturn the results of the 
2020 Presidential election, falsely alleging wide-spread voting fraud 
but producing no evidence in support of his spurious allegations;
  (7) Exhorting and inciting his supporters to believe falsely that 
victory in the 2020 Presidential election had been stolen from him and 
that constitutionally required Joint Meeting of Congress for the 
purpose of counting the votes of electors and announcement of the 
result by the President of the Senate was illegitimate and intended to 
complete the theft of his victory; and
  (8) Failing to take action to protect and defend Federal officers and 
personnel, property, buildings, and institutions on January 6, 2021, at 
the U.S. Capitol that was besieged by supporters of Donald John Trump, 
resulting in extensive damage to the property of the United States and 
the deaths of at least four persons.
  This is why multiple Members of Congress, introduced resolutions of 
articles of impeachment; joined by dozens of original cosponsors, I 
introduced H. Res. 26, impeaching the President for the High Crimes and 
Misdemeanors of (1) Abuse of Power and (2) Willful Refusal And Failure 
To Protect And Defend The Constitution Of The United States.
  Madam Speaker, Donald John Trump has acted in a manner contrary to 
his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to 
the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the 
manifest injury of the people of the United States.
  He must be impeached, convicted, removed from office, and 
disqualified from ever again holding and enjoying an Office of honor, 
Trust or Profit under the United States.
  My love and reverence for the Constitution compels me to vote to 
impeach this President and I urge all my colleagues who revere the 
Constitution and our democracy, which has endured for more than 240 
years, to join me in voting for H. Res. 24, impeaching Donald John 
Trump again for High Crimes and Misdemeanors against the United States.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the Republican whip.
  Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for 
yielding.
  Madam Speaker, our Nation still mourns the unacceptable violence and 
anarchy that took place in this Capitol last week. As we speak, arrests 
are still being made, and the anarchists who stormed our Capitol are 
being brought to justice, as should be the case.
  Emotions are still high, but in this moment, we need to be focused on 
toning down the rhetoric and helping heal this Nation as we move toward 
a peaceful transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden next week.
  My prayers, Madam Speaker, are still with Capitol Police Officers 
Sicknick and Liebengood, who we lost, as well as all the Capitol Police 
officers who risked their lives to keep us safe. They are true heroes, 
and they deserve all of our applause today.
  Madam Speaker, I have seen the dark evil of political violence 
firsthand, and it needs to stop. But all of us need to be unequivocal 
in calling it out every single time we see it, not just when it comes 
from the other side of the aisle.
  I oppose this rushed impeachment brought forward without a single 
hearing. By the way, the Senate will not even take this up until 
President Trump is out of office, so let's keep that in mind. It will 
only serve to further divide a Nation that is calling out for healing.
  Madam Speaker, many speakers today have invoked one of our Nation's 
greatest leaders, President Abraham Lincoln. Maybe we should follow 
some of Lincoln's wisdom that he has imparted upon us in moments like 
this.
  As Abraham Lincoln was giving his second inaugural address in March 
1865, Lincoln issued us a challenge. This is what he said: ``With 
malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, 
as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work 
we are in, to bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who shall 
have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which 
may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and 
with all nations.''
  Madam Speaker, in times like these, let us not reach out to our 
darkest demons, but instead, like Lincoln, seek the higher ground. May 
God bless this great United States of America.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, we can have all of this, but we have to 
have accountability, too.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), our distinguished majority leader of the House.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  This is a troubled time, a sad time. It is a time where all of us 
have stood almost to a person and lamented the violence and the assault 
on this Capitol and the assault on democracy itself.
  It was right to do that. But this impeachment ought to be put in the 
perspective of what the Republican chair of the Republican Conference 
said it was. She said the President of the United States summoned the 
mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of that attack. There has 
never been, she said, a greater betrayal by a President of the United 
States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.
  That is why we are here today. That is why we are here today just a 
week before that President, at the request of the American people, will 
leave office.
  The issue is, what do we, the 433 of us, I believe, who are here, do 
on behalf of the American people to respond to what Representative 
Cheney described that happened on the 6th of January: a mob assembled 
by, summoned by, and then spoken to, to light the flame of the attack.
  To ``stop the steal,'' as we sat here, exercising our constitutional 
duty. And to his great credit, the Vice President of the United States 
followed the Constitution of the United States of America, 
notwithstanding the fact that he was opportuned by the President not to 
do so. That mob sent by the President to ``stop the steal'' did so for 
a few hours, not the ``steal'' but the constitutional duty that we had.

[[Page H186]]

  So, we ask ourselves, what do we do? What is our responsibility? What 
should we say in light of only the Civil War as an analogy?
  That doesn't mean there haven't been demonstrations in Washington 
before and demonstrations throughout this country before. But it is the 
first and only physical presence, other than the 9/11 attack, on this 
Nation, which came from abroad and had a plane aimed at our Capitol 
dome.
  This attack was not from abroad. It was, as Liz Cheney said, 
summoned, assembled, and inflamed by the President of the United States 
of America. In Liz Cheney's words, there has never been a greater 
betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath 
to the Constitution.
  I pride myself as a Member of this Congress who for 40 years has 
worked in a bipartisan fashion with many of your leaders and do to this 
day. But are we to remain silent in the face of Liz Cheney saying this 
was the greatest betrayal of the duty of the President of the United 
States in history? Are we to stand silent? Will we stand silent? Will 
we not stand up and say this is not acceptable?
  Madam Speaker, for 4 years, Donald Trump has made no efforts to hide 
his ambitions or his lacking of Republican principles--not our 
principles, but the principles that Abraham Lincoln was just quoted as 
having said. Your President, our President, has never displayed those 
in the 4 years he has been President of the United States.
  He has allowed little constraint on his worst inclinations. His 
desire for autocracy and his glorification of violence have not been 
tempered but rationalized by those who sought to profit financially and 
politically from their proximity to power.
  Upon the foundations of virtue, reason, and patient wisdom laid down 
by George Washington as our first President, Donald Trump has 
constructed a glass palace of lies, fearmongering, and sedition. Last 
Wednesday, on January 6, the Nation and the world watched it shatter to 
pieces.

  There can be no mistaking any longer the kind of man sitting in the 
Oval Office or his intentions and capabilities. The curtain has been 
pulled back. The office to which he was elected could not temper or 
reform him.
  Washington's legacy was passed down to us, not as written decrees but 
understood norms, how we ought to act, how we ought to conduct 
ourselves.
  Term after term, each occupant has observed those norms out of a 
recognition that our Constitution's Articles are not the only 
preservative of our democracy. For more than two centuries, Madam 
Speaker, whenever those norms were tested and strained, good and 
virtuous citizens on both sides of the aisle found common purpose in 
reaffirming those norms. But memory fades, and from time to time, it 
must be refreshed.
  Madam Speaker, as the Framers emerged from the Constitutional 
Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked whether they had made America a 
monarchy or a republic. Probably all of us know his response. A 
republic, he answered, if you can keep it.
  That is the question today, if we can keep it. And the way we keep it 
is to say no to actions and words that do not promote the keeping of 
that republic.
  For millennia, people have understood that a republic is only as 
stable and lasting as the citizens and leaders who commit themselves to 
its upkeep. This President has shown us he is not committed to that 
project. His tweets every day have shown he is not committed to that 
project. Indeed, he openly disdains it and appears to prefer the 
alternative.

                              {time}  1545

  But what of the rest of us, those of us who have the honor and the 
great privilege and the weighty responsibility to represent the views 
of 750,000 of our fellow citizens?
  We, in this Congress, have an opportunity--no--a duty to demonstrate 
our commitment both as leaders and as citizens to keeping America a 
republic that resolves its differences, not through being ordered to 
come to the Capitol to prevent them from stealing the election, which 
was an absurd assertion from the very first day it was made.
  We cannot erase the last 4 years, Madam Speaker. We cannot turn back 
the clock, but we can look to the ideals and principles inherited from 
great Presidents like Washington; like Jefferson; and, yes, certainly 
like Abraham Lincoln; and like Franklin Roosevelt. And from outstanding 
Americans like Frederick Douglass; Harriet Tubman; Susan Anthony; Cesar 
Chavez; Martin Luther King; Thurgood Marshall; our beloved John Lewis; 
and, yes, RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who all taught us a lot about 
equality and inclusion.
  Madam Speaker, it is up to us to restore the vibrancy of our 
democracy by reaffirming our commitment to the norms they passed onto 
us and entrusted to our care. But to make that possible, Madam Speaker, 
we must rise to this moment and not only affirm the virtues we cherish, 
but reject the vices we abhor. That is what I am asking my fellow 
Representatives on both sides of the aisle to do today.
  We all stood and we abhorred the violence that occurred and the 
threat to the very democracy that we hold so dear and that we swore an 
oath to protect and uphold. Reject deceit. Reject fear-mongering. 
Reject sedition, tyranny, and insurrection. Reject the demand for 
fealty to one man over fidelity to one's country.
  When I addressed the House during the debate over the Articles of 
Impeachment in December of 2019, I said the following: We need not ask 
who will be the first to show our courage by standing up to President 
Trump. The question we must ask: Who will be the last to find it?
  Senator McConnell, Representative Cheney, and a number of other 
Representatives who have spoken on this floor with great courage, Madam 
Speaker, because there is much fear of Donald Trump. There is much fear 
of Donald Trump's tweets. There is much fear of Donald Trump's 
retribution for opposition. In my view, Donald Trump demands absolute 
loyalty and gives none in return.
  I hope others will join Liz Cheney. I hope others will be honest with 
themselves and with their constituents as Liz Cheney was, saying, 
``There has never been a greater betrayal of a President of the United 
States to his office and to his oath to the Constitution.''
  Don't dismiss that. She is the daughter of a Vice President of the 
United States, who was the whip when I came to Congress. As she has 
taken a stand, I hope others will as well, Madam Speaker.
  Soon, the Clerk will call the roll and ask for our votes. Make no 
mistake, this will be no ordinary roll call. This is about our country, 
our Constitution, and our democracy. These votes will be inscribed on 
the roll of history, a record of courage and of our commitment to 
country and Constitution, of our commitment to the rule of law and 
renewal of that which we inherited and hope to pass on unbroken, 
unshattered.
  With just 7 days left in the President's term, this vote is not about 
timing. It is about principle and fidelity to our Constitution. It 
concerns the clear and present danger facing our country not only in 
these final days of the Trump administration, but in the weeks, months, 
and years that will follow. It is about the necessity to demonstrate to 
this generation and to future generations the duty we share to protect 
our democracy every single day.
  Do not pretend, my friends, that it was simply those who came into 
the Capitol, encouraged by our President to ``stop the steal'' at any 
cost.
  By the way, if the Vice President doesn't do my bidding and follows 
the Constitution, sweep him away.
  We know that this President would never emulate George Washington and 
give up his power for the good of our Republic, even after losing an 
election.
  Somebody talked about a peaceful transition. There has not been a 
peaceful transition. I don't know what you are talking about. You are 
not living in the same country I am. It was just days ago that the 
President, after committing this terrible act, thought he had to admit 
that Joe Biden might, yes, be President of the United States.
  We know that this President neither recognizes norms, nor reflects 
the rule of law. We know that this President is not a patriot.
  Madam Speaker, so I ask this House: Who among us will be recorded on 
the roll of history for their courage, their commitment to the 
Constitution, and their country?

[[Page H187]]

  We do this today not for politics. We don't need this for politics. 
Georgia showed that. There was no mistake in this election. We do this 
today to preserve and protect this great democracy. We do it for the 
America we love, our America the beautiful, whose Founders' sacrifices 
we praise in song: ``O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating 
strife, who more than self their country loved and mercy more than 
life.''
  Sadly, Madam Speaker, as our current President, the appropriate words 
would be: Who less than self his country loved and victory more than 
truth.
  Vote for this, for America, for our Constitution, for democracy, for 
history.
  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of impeaching 
President Donald Trump for the second time. This is not an action I 
take lightly, but an action I am compelled to take in order to uphold 
my oath as a Member of Congress. President Trump is a threat to our 
nation and in full public view violated his duties to the Constitution, 
to our democracy, and to the American people.
  For months, the president and his enablers lied about the election, 
whipping up misplaced anger among his followers. He then encouraged his 
followers to come to Washington for a ``wild'' rally to support 
overthrowing the election results. At the rally, the president 
continued to incite his followers, further encouraging their anger. 
Then he pointed down Constitution Avenue and told his followers to 
march to the U.S. Capitol and unleash their anger on Congress. They 
did, and five people died.
  Make no mistake, the president set the stage, invited the audience, 
and lit the match that sparked the deadly insurrection at the Capitol. 
Just as disturbing was his lack of response while Congress Members were 
begging for him to help, while Capitol Police were being beaten and 
killed, and while his followers hunted through the Capitol seeking to 
do harm to Members of Congress and even his own Vice President. 
President Trump has abrogated the responsibilities of his office and 
violated his oath to the Constitution.
  Every day he remains in office is another chance for him to foment 
further violence. He must be removed now. The House must do its duty to 
protect our nation from the president by impeaching him and the Senate 
must act quickly to convict the president and remove him from office.
  Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, five people died last week, one of them 
a Capitol Police Officer who lost his life trying to protect us. The 
attack and the loss of life were the culmination of the President's 
calls for violence over the last five years and my colleagues' refusal 
to hold him accountable.
  I was in the Gallery, and after reflecting on the violent attack as a 
Member of Congress and as a former law enforcement officer, it baffles 
me that some of my colleagues on the other side would say that today's 
vote is a ``rush to judgement.''
  Well, I think it's the only appropriate response to Members of 
Congress having to rush for the doors to escape the violence incited by 
the President and encouraged by the Members of this body.
  Madam Speaker, what happened to Congress? For we now behold mere 
shadows where great men and women once stood. I remember my oath and I 
intend to uphold it. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
resolution.
  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to today's 
impeachment resolution, H. Res. 24, against President Trump.
  First, it is a tragedy that we are here once again with this body, 
the United States House of Representatives, moving forward with 
impeaching President Trump.
  This body impeached the president during the 116th Congress which 
resulted in his acquittal in the Senate. Before President Trump, there 
have only been two presidents impeached by the House of 
Representatives.
  Now, after the majority party in the House did not get what they 
wanted the first time with impeachment, they are at it again a second 
time.
  Their blind hatred of the President and four years of denying the 
results of the election have led them to one final moment of doing this 
again.
  This impeachment is being held in the court of public opinion. I have 
found no constitutional grounding for President Trump's impeachment.
  If Democratic leadership wanted us to take their stunt seriously, the 
least they could have done was attempted to present some sort of 
evidence in a formal trial.
  Make no mistake, this is not the way the House should be conducting 
business.
  The nation and world have been through a global pandemic this past 
year which has destroyed many small businesses and jobs across our 
county.
  Yet, the House majority leadership could not be bothered to 
compromise on much-needed relief. They focused on playing politics with 
people's lives and making sure the president had one less 
accomplishment on his record ahead of the November 2020 election.
  So why is the House spending its time on impeachment with H. Res. 24? 
Simply there are many who never liked President Trump, never gave him a 
chance, and have only sought to remove him from office since day one.
  With just days left before the president leaves office, House 
Democrats have decided to implement their double standard yet again.
  Many of my House colleagues from the other side of the aisle have 
spent an incredible amount of energy on fanning the flames of political 
unrest. They have called for riots and said peaceful protests are not 
enough.
  President Trump called for his supporters to protest peacefully. When 
things got out of hand, he called on them to stand down and listen to 
law enforcement officials.
  When violent protests got out of hand across the country this past 
summer you did not see the same type of condemnation from the 
Democratic Party.
  President Trump has already said there will be an orderly transition 
on January 20, 2021. We need to move forward and help to ensure that 
the incoming Biden-Harris administration has everything they need to 
assume office on day one.
  We are deeply divided in this country right now. Impeachment without 
constitutional grounding does nothing but disenfranchise the 74 million 
people that voted for President Trump.
  I strongly oppose these impeachment efforts in the House and do not 
wish to create a further divide in our country.
  Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, Donald Trump is an immediate threat to our 
Constitution and to our Democracy. He must be removed.
  It has now been a week since rampaging criminals incited by Mr. Trump 
invaded and vandalized the Capitol--the heart of American Democracy and 
government. The attack resulted in six deaths--including that of two 
police officers--and left an indelible stain on our nation. With each 
passing day, we learn more about the extent to which this attack was 
planned and orchestrated.
  This was a violent insurrection--not a peaceful protest. The 
criminals who perpetrated this attack were inspired, directed, and 
encouraged by Donald Trump and his lies and incited by several members 
of Congress, all of whom have refused to acknowledge--let alone take 
responsibility for--their roles in this shameful episode.
  No action we take today can undo the desecration caused by Donald 
Trump, the members of Congress who aided and abetted him, and those 
dangerous insurrectionists. This was not merely a criminal conspiracy; 
it was an attack on our nation's Capitol to deliberately and violently 
overthrow the duly elected Government of the United States.
  Regardless of our actions today, Donald Trump will be removed from 
office in just over a week. But that does not mean we shouldn't act. If 
we let an insurgence against our government go without consequence, 
what will we be saying to future generations?
  We must send the permanent message that in January of 2021, Congress 
refused to condone, pardon, or ignore this crime against the 
Constitution and the American people, and further, that Congress 
refused the possibility that Donald Trump could ever hold office again.
  Some have said that this should be a time for unity, not for 
divisiveness. I agree. We must be united and unequivocal in our 
declaration: The desecration of our Democracy will not be tolerated. 
The divisiveness over this issue is not being caused by those of us who 
insist on upholding the Constitution and rule of law; the 
responsibility for discord belongs solely at the feet of those who 
refuse to do so.
  Therefore, I must call out those in this body who continue to 
perpetuate the lies that led to this deadly chain of events. American 
Democracy was and remains threatened by their actions and words. Over 
the last four years, we have learned that the guardrails constructed by 
our Founders to protect the Constitution are only as strong as the 
leaders who take the oath to defend them. When our elected officials 
take steps to undermine democracy--as far too many here today have 
done--the fabric and future of our great nation is endangered.
  All of us have sworn an oath to protect America from its enemies, 
both foreign and domestic. Today, that oath requires each and every one 
of us to support the immediate impeachment of Donald Trump. History 
will judge us all for our decision today.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Speaker, just over a year ago, I stood on the 
House floor as we did our jobs and voted to impeach the President of 
the United States. The facts were clear then: Donald Trump abused the 
power of the Office of the Presidency to pursue his own personal, 
political gain. My vote was a vote for the Constitution and for `We, 
the People' because America is so deeply worth it.

[[Page H188]]

  Six months later, we saw Donald Trump's radically disparate treatment 
of a violent mob taking over the Michigan state capitol while 
threatening to lynch a governor and the harsh crackdown on Black, 
Indigenous, and people of color demonstrating for civil and human 
rights in the wake of yet another Black person being murdered by law 
enforcement. On the one hand, we saw armed white men with swastikas and 
Confederate flags threatening lawmakers, damaging the statehouse, and 
seeking to lynch, shoot, and behead the Governor of Michigan with no 
federal response. In fact, Attorney General Bill Barr told me under 
oath that he wasn't even aware it occurred. In sharp contrast, we saw 
Black people and people of color forcibly removed by armed federal 
officials using pepper bombs and tear gas. This time, the Attorney 
General was on the scene himself.
  All of these events brought us to January 6, 2021. On that day, I was 
trapped in the House gallery for nearly two hours as a mob of 
insurrectionists launched a deadly attack on our Capitol, our country, 
and our democracy. My colleagues and I took cover as domestic 
terrorists waved the confederate flag in the People's House; as the 
temple of our democracy was ransacked in the most deadly and 
destructive assault on the U.S. Capitol since the War of 1812. The 
events of January 6 were horrific. We know now that January 6 could 
have ended in even more violence, harm, and loss of life. We know the 
mob came ready for combat with nooses, zip ties, bats, bulletproof 
vests, and pipes. We know they came within seconds of breaching the 
United States Senate and ran around the inside of this building 
chanting ``Hang Mike Pence'' and looking for our Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. 
And we know that they had placed bombs at the Capitol, the Democratic 
National Committee, and the Republican National Committee.
  Why did they do all of this? Because for months, the man who sits in 
the White House has refused to accept the will of the American people; 
has refused to recognize that he lost a free and fair election--
decisively. And then he--and some Republican members of this Congress--
called on his followers to ``be wild.'' They told them to ``stand by.'' 
Then, they told them to ``fight like hell.'' Next, they proclaimed ``we 
are going to the Capitol.'' The insurrectionists followed those orders 
from the President of the United States. They went to the Capitol and 
fought like hell. They tried to subvert our democracy, but they failed.
  Donald Trump is the smoking gun. That gun is reloaded and whether or 
not it goes off once more is up to us. We must send a clear message to 
the President that the United States Congress will not stand by and 
allow one man to turn our democracy into an autocracy; will not stand 
by while that man incites insurrectionists to launch a deadly assault 
on the United States Capitol.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in voting to immediately impeach, 
convict, and remove Donald J. Trump from office; to ensure he can never 
run for elected office again; to fight for justice; to send a signal to 
those across America and throughout the world who--incited and fueled 
by this president--want to do us further harm; and to hold him fully 
accountable for this attack on Congress, the United States of America, 
and our democracy.
  Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, it is the honor of my life to walk into 
the Capitol and onto this House floor to carry the voices and values of 
the people of Illinois' 14th Congressional District to this hallowed 
institution. The Capitol itself is the global symbol of democracy, and 
the Congress that meets here is charged with upholding the very first 
Article of our Constitution, written 233 years ago. The Capitol is 
where democratically elected Americans from across the country convene 
to represent their communities. It truly is--and must remain--the 
People's House. Last week, the People's House was invaded by people who 
committed acts of terror and desecrated this sacred space.
  In the days since the January 6 attack on the Congress, hundreds of 
concerned Illinoisans have reached out to my office to share messages 
of disbelief that such an attack was plotted openly yet not prevented; 
messages of anger at the violence and the hate that was on display that 
day, and at the elected leaders who capitalized on those sentiments; 
messages of fear for the fragility of our democracy. I also received 
many messages of support and concern for the safety of myself and my 
staff, which was a great comfort to us all, and for which we are 
immensely grateful.
  One of my constituents wrote to me about feeling ``disheartened, 
deeply saddened, shocked, and angry'' about the events of January 6 and 
all that led up to them, and another wrote about ``uncertainty and 
fear.'' Another wrote simply that ``there are no words to describe my 
horror.'' I, too, felt all of those emotions as I watched the attack 
unfold just beyond my office, and moved heavy furniture to barricade my 
office doors.
  One constituent wrote to ask me a question: ``What will our future 
look like if we continue to allow future U.S. leaders to lead and 
support these types of attacks on our democracy?'' It's a question that 
I am asking myself today, and that we are all here to answer: ``What 
will our future look like?'' She wrote about the need for consequences, 
not only as justice for the perpetrators of this attack, but also as a 
message for posterity.
  Over the past week, we in Congress have solemnly considered the most 
appropriate response to the President's incitement of insurrection--an 
attack that not only cost several people their lives, but also 
threatened a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transition of 
power. It is our duty to ensure that the perpetrators are held 
accountable, and that no historical sanctuary is granted to those who 
have ignited this fire. We have had to face the ugly truth that this 
attack was incited by a President seeking to violently overturn the 
results of a democratic election and reject the will of the American 
people.
  That is why today, we must impeach this President. This is an act 
toward preserving the integrity of our democracy. This is a message to 
future Americans about who we are as a nation, and who we ought to be.
  Each of us took an oath just days ago, pledging to uphold the United 
States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Today I 
will fulfill that promise by voting in favor of the impeachment of 
President Donald J. Trump.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
resolution offering articles of impeachment against President Donald J. 
Trump. Our country and our Capitol have suffered a devastating attack 
in the past week, and the President's role in inciting the violence we 
experienced has left us no choice but to impeach him.
  President Trump, through his words and actions, encouraged and 
incited the insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021, when 
Congress was gathered to certify the results of the 2020 Presidential 
election. In the days and weeks preceding the deadly attack, President 
Trump made statements, both on social media and directly to his 
supporters, repeating false claims that he had won the election and 
urging supporters to come to Washington, D.C. and ``fight like hell.'' 
The morning of January 6, he led a rally and sent his supporters to the 
Capitol with the goal of stopping the certification of the Electoral 
College, thwarting the will of millions of Americans who voted for Joe 
Biden, and overturning the 2020 Presidential election. The events that 
unfolded that afternoon were dangerous, terrifying, unprecedented, and 
un-American. Armed domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol, leading to 
several deaths, countless injuries, untold property damage, and a 
democracy in crisis. Pipe bombs and zip ties were found on and around 
the Capitol grounds. Videos show Capitol Police officers being beaten 
by White supremacists. Elected officials in the line of presidential 
succession, including the Vice President and the Speaker of the House, 
were essentially hunted by terrorists and forced into hiding. The 
President did not quell the mob; nor did he offer any empathy 
whatsoever to his own Vice President or to the hundreds of Senators, 
Representatives, and staff who were at the Capitol and traumatized. In 
the following days, Donald Trump failed to take responsibility for the 
direct attack on the country he is responsible for leading and 
protecting and continued to incite insurrection by continuing to 
perpetuate the lie that he won the election.
  We are now forced to reckon with the grave reality that the President 
of the United States directly incited an attack on our government and 
country, and he must be held accountable. He is wholly unfit for office 
and must never be able to serve in government again. I commend my 
colleagues, Representatives Cicilline, Lieu, and Raskin, for drafting 
this resolution of impeachment. For the sake of democracy, the Senate 
must now follow our lead, rise to the occasion, and swiftly convict the 
President of the high crimes and misdemeanors he has committed.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
express my support for the resolution to impeach President Trump.
  This is an open and shut case. The facts are clear to all who wish to 
see them.
  In his January 6 speech, Donald Trump incited a vicious assault on 
the U.S. Capitol with the intention of pressuring Vice President Pence 
and a joint session of Congress into overturning the results of the 
Electoral College vote that made Joe Biden president. It's clear he 
wanted Congress and the Vice President to declare him president for a 
second term despite his losing the election.
  I believe that this was the final act in what was a months-long 
effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results so that he 
could remain in office.
  I believe that Donald Trump's actions on January 6 constituted high 
crimes and misdemeanors under the Constitution and therefore justify 
his impeachment. He is clearly

[[Page H189]]

guilty of sedition, and his actions led to the loss of five lives that 
day, including that of a Capitol Police officer who was mortally 
injured defending the Capitol, the Congress, and the Vice President.
  I also support impeaching him now, even though he has just a few days 
left in office, in order to define a standard of acceptable conduct for 
future Presidents--and a precedent to deter future presidents from 
attempting to defy the will of the American people.
  Finally, I believe that President Trump should be impeached and 
immediately removed from office because I am concerned that, given what 
he has done to illegally remain in office, it is possible, if not 
highly probable, that he would take further undemocratic and criminal 
actions in the days he has left in a desperate bid to thwart the 
voters' will.
  Those are the reasons why I cosponsored the article of impeachment 
and why I will vote for it today.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, last week's violent attack on Congress 
was an act of domestic terrorism. The U.S. Capitol building was 
desecrated and vandalized. Members of Congress, their staff members, 
and those who work in this temple of American democracy were 
terrorized. The women and men of the Capitol Police who work every day 
to protect us were beaten. Two officers lost their lives as a result of 
this tragedy.
  Make no mistake, this was a terrorist plot to disrupt Congress; to 
prevent Congress from performing its duty under the Constitution to 
certify the results of the Electoral College that Joseph R. Biden and 
Kamala D. Harris will be sworn in as President and Vice President of 
the United States on January 20, 2021.
  This domestic terrorist attack was an attempted coup against the 
United States of America by attacking the U.S. Congress and the Vice 
President of the United States Michael R. Pence. And this coup was 
inspired, encouraged, and supported by Donald J. Trump--the deranged 
and dangerous man who currently occupies the White House.
  Today, I will vote to impeach Mr. Trump--for the second time--for 
high crimes and misdemeanors. If his actions in inciting the 
insurrection of January 6, 2021 do not warrant impeachment and removal 
by the Congress, then truly nothing is worthy of impeachment. Congress 
must protect this nation from Mr. Trump and from future Presidents who 
may seek to follow in his dangerous footsteps. We must impeach.
  When Mr. Trump leaves the White House and is again a private citizen, 
I strongly urge the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and 
prosecute Mr. Trump for crimes committed against our democracy and the 
people of the United States.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, with just 7 days remaining in 
his term, today's highly partisan rush to impeach the President is 
being done without knowing the whole truth which takes time, effort and 
serious scrutiny to establish.
  Today's snap impeachment vote alleging President Trump's ``incitement 
of insurrection'' lacks an objective and thorough investigation of the 
facts.
  Astonishingly, there have been no congressional hearings on H. Res. 
24--the impeachment resolution--which was only introduced two days ago 
on January 11th.
  The fact that the U.S. Senate won't even consider the impeachment 
resolution passed by the House until after the January 20th 
inauguration begs the question as to why the debate and vote isn't 
postponed until we have all the facts.
  Our Nation is in desperate need of unity and civility as it prepares 
for the inauguration of President-elect Biden.
  Impeachment of President Trump--without a thorough analysis of the 
facts which takes time, effort and serious scrutiny to establish--will 
not in any way help to heal a divided America.
  Let me state again that I unequivocally condemn the assault on the 
Capitol last week and those who committed murder, violence, vandalism 
and other crimes should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the 
law.
  We must be committed to zero-tolerance towards violence in any form.
  I strongly support and have cosponsored H.R. 275 to create a national 
bipartisan commission to comprehensively investigate the January 6th 
deadly attack on the Capitol.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 24, impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, 
for high crimes and misdemeanors.
  When we consider impeachment, the first question to consider is not 
``what is an impeachable offense?'' but ``why is impeachment in the 
Constitution?'' If it is necessary to have an elected official removed 
from office, the normal process is to vote him out of office at his 
next election and have him leave when his term expires. But there are 
times when it is absolutely not feasible to wait until a term expires. 
That is why impeachment is in the Constitution.
  The Constitution says the President ``shall be removed from office on 
impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high 
crimes and misdemeanors.'' When a President is committing treason, it 
is obviously not feasible to wait until the next election and the 
expiration of his term. If a President is seeking, taking or giving 
bribes, it is not feasible to wait. As for ``other high crimes or 
misdemeanors,'' the important word is ``other,'' because it suggests 
offenses that have the same effect on the nation as treason or bribery. 
The phrase ``high crimes and misdemeanors'' is intentionally vague, but 
the meaning is clear--behavior that creates a situation, as in cases of 
treason and bribery, where it is not feasible to wait until the next 
election and the expiration of the President's term. Impeachment is not 
in the Constitution primarily as a punishment, but as a mechanism to 
protect our democracy when it is not feasible to wait until January 
20th.
  In that light, we evaluate the President's recent behavior.
  Shortly before noon on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, President Trump 
addressed thousands of his supporters, who specifically came to 
Washington at his urging. This event was called the ``March to Save 
America.'' The President's words and actions at this rally, and 
arguably the lies he spread weeks before, incited a violent 
insurrection. Soon after the President's speech, a violent mob 
overwhelmed the U.S. Capitol with the intent of disrupting the counting 
of the Electoral College votes--the final official step in the election 
of the next President of the United States. These individuals harbored 
delusions fostered by the President that, but for the grace of God, 
could have resulted in the death or injury of the Vice President and 
many members of Congress. During most of this insurrection, the absence 
of the National Guard and other military units was conspicuous, 
especially when compared to the overwhelming police and military 
presence last summer during racial justice protests in the nation's 
capital.
  The facts are not in dispute. According to Rep. Liz Cheney, the third 
highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, ``The 
President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, 
and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his 
doing. None of this would have happened without the President . . . 
There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United 
States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.''
  Last weekend, the Washington Post published audio recordings 
revealing a conversation in which the President encourages and attempts 
to pressure Georgia election officials to ``find'' over 11,780 votes to 
reverse the certified results of the November 3rd election. This hour 
long recording further supports previous reports of the President 
actively attempting to overturn the will of the voters in other states 
he clearly and fairly lost.
  Additionally, the President has used presidential powers to pardon 
numerous criminals, many of whom were convicted of offenses that could 
have been part of coverups to protect the President himself. He should 
not continue to hold this power while insurrectionists are being 
arrested and charged across the country. And it is also being reported 
that he is actively considering additional questionable pardons, 
including for himself and his immediate family.
  Notwithstanding his oath to faithfully execute the laws, the 
President is doing nothing to address the COVID-19 pandemic, even 
though more than 125,000 deaths have occurred since the election. There 
has been a complete abdication of responsibility demonstrated by his 
failure to develop a testing and contact tracing strategy, his refusal 
to encourage the use of masks to stop the spread of this deadly virus, 
and now a complete mismanagement of vaccine distribution. Furthermore, 
his execution of the laws has been compromised by the wholesale 
resignations of senior federal officials across the executive branch.
  The President has gone to extraordinary lengths to disrupt the 
transition from his administration to President-elect Biden, 
undermining our national security. Our nation is facing economic 
distress, a raging pandemic, the disastrous consequences of climate 
change, a reckoning with racial injustice, and a historic cyber 
intrusion. While our country is facing these challenges, the President 
has chosen to jeopardize our national security by refusing the incoming 
administration customary intelligence briefings, refusing to concede 
the election, and falsely claiming election fraud ultimately disrupting 
the peaceful transition of power and undermining the incoming 
administration's ability to manage these crises.
  And there have been ongoing violations of the Constitution's 
emoluments clause, as foreign governments have paid money to Trump 
businesses since his inauguration four years ago.
  Each of these behaviors alone would constitute impeachable offenses, 
so the analysis moves to whether or not any or all of them

[[Page H190]]

create the crisis envisioned in the impeachment clause where it is not 
feasible to wait until January 20th to have him removed from office. I 
believe the evidence is overwhelming and that we have no choice but to 
act expeditiously to impeach.
  The attack on the Capitol clearly puts us in a situation where it is 
not feasible to wait until the President's term expires at noon on 
January 20, 2021. He has shown no remorse for the loss of life and the 
blatant attack he incited on one of the greatest symbols of our 
democracy. There has also been no credible explanation why the Capitol 
Police were left stranded without the support of the National Guard or 
other law enforcement agencies nor any credible explanation why the 
Attorney General nor the Director of the F.B.I. have attended any 
public briefings on what happened on January 6, 2021 or what is being 
done to make sure that it does not happen again under the President's 
leadership. And when a person is found unfit to control a Twitter 
account, it is hard to imagine how he is fit to control the nuclear 
codes. He is also not fit to control the security of the Capitol for 
the upcoming inauguration or from other attacks at the Capitol that, 
according to some public reports, are being planned.
  Tragically, tens of thousands of people will continue to die 
unnecessarily because of his incompetence and inaction in dealing with 
the COVID-19 pandemic. This self-serving use of the presidential pardon 
power cannot continue, and if he is removed from office, a process can 
be put in place to seamlessly transition powers to the Biden 
Administration without gaps in National Security.
  For these reasons it is imperative that he be removed from office 
now.
  Once impeached, it is true that he may not be convicted in the 
Senate. In fact, an impeachment trial may never take place. But the 
fact that a quick trial and conviction could take place should deter 
problematic behavior by the President during his last few days in 
office. For example, if Majority Leader McConnell received a distressed 
call from the Secretary of Defense explaining that the President had 
issued a bizarre military order, Leader McConnell could quickly summon 
the Chief Justice, reconvene the Senate and vote to remove the 
President within hours of the call. Knowing that this could take place 
would hopefully deter the President from issuing such an order or 
granting inappropriate pardons.
  The President will be encouraged to resign, and the Vice President 
and a majority of the cabinet secretaries could activate the 25th 
amendment. But all the House of Representatives can control is 
impeachment. The House has an obligation to do just that. Our action 
should not be guided by politics or grievance, but should reflect the 
fact that the future of our Democracy is our first priority.
  Madam Speaker, we do not want to look up on January 20th and see that 
security at the inauguration was mismanaged with disastrous results; or 
witness a blanket pardon to all of those involved in the insurrection; 
or suffer as tens of thousands die unnecessarily due to the President's 
continued mismanagement of the pandemic; or witness any other 
disastrous situation resulting from the abusive use of presidential 
powers. And if any of that happens because he was not impeached by the 
House and convicted and removed by the Senate, we cannot say we did not 
see it coming.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, in his speech and subsequent 
hesitation to swiftly react to the violence, the President wrongly 
amplified an emotionally charged environment--emboldening persons 
predetermined to do violence, adding to a mob frenzy, and overshadowing 
the important policy work of four years and those who peacefully stood 
by him.
  Our objective should be this: Restore peace in our country. Restore 
confidence in our government. Restore decency and decorum.
  In just seven days, Joe Biden will be President. I voted to certify 
his election. In order to begin the process of healing our nation after 
this traumatic moment, we must choose wisely. If we use the blunt 
instrument of impeachment, we will punish the President but deepen the 
trauma of an America already wracked by political violence. The call 
for accountability ought now to be found in the hard slog to rebuild.
  I will vote against impeachment.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, respect for the will of the 
people, which has been expressed through their votes in a valid 
democratic process and the peaceful transfer of power between 
administrations, is the foundation of our Nation.
  Seeing the President incite groups to interrupt that very democratic 
process, leading them to take the U.S. Capitol by force, where two 
members of the Capitol Police died in the line of duty, is deeply 
outrageous. Using force as the mechanism to achieve change or access to 
power has no place in the constitutional transfer of office. I have 
never validated that resource to enforce anyone's opinion. All those 
who perpetrated these acts must be held accountable to the fullest 
extent of the law, including the President.
  This Nation needs to heal the deep wound created by the acts of 
domestic terrorism on January 6, where at the end of the day democracy 
prevailed, Congress continued with the processes in which the Vice 
President validated the result of the elections in favor of a new 
administration.
  That healing will come in less than a week with the transfer of power 
in an orderly and peaceful manner, as mandated by our legal system, but 
past events have caused many, including myself, to withdraw our trust 
in this President.
  On past occasions I have rejected the President's conduct, while on 
other occasions I have recognized the great resources that he helped me 
bring to the Island in a time of need. In the same way, my priority 
continues to be defending the interests of the people of Puerto Rico 
and I will always work with anyone to achieve the betterment of the 
people I represent.
  I swore to defend the Constitution against all foreign and domestic 
enemies. The acts of January 6 were an attack on our Constitution, they 
were acts of sedition perpetrated by domestic terrorists and that is 
why I join my colleagues from both parties in supporting an impeachment 
process against the President, even though as a Resident Commissioner I 
cannot vote in that process. This will serve as an example of the power 
of our Nation's democracy, where no one, including the President, is 
above the law.
  Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, in the words of the late 
Congressman John Lewis, ``When you see something that is not right, not 
just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do 
something.''
  Today we must do something and vote to impeach President Donald J. 
Trump.
  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of impeachment in 
order to defend our democracy and protect our country from a President 
who poses a clear and present danger to our republic. Last week, as I 
was preparing to defend Wisconsin's election results on the House floor 
during the certification of the Electoral College votes, the Nation 
experienced an attack on our Capitol and democratic process. What 
should have been a day of celebration as we witnessed the peaceful 
transfer of power--something that makes America exceptional in the eyes 
of the world--was marred by a lawless assault on our democracy.
  It's of the utmost importance in the coming weeks to bring those who 
perpetrated this violence to justice. They must be prosecuted to the 
full extent of the law. However, we also need to address those that 
fostered and even amplified the toxic climate that allowed this to 
happen in the first place. Undoubtedly, this includes the President, 
who openly encouraged a mob to march to the Capitol to disrupt 
Congress's Constitutional role in certifying the presidential election 
and later went so far as to say that the rioters were ``very special'' 
and that he ``loves'' them.
  Words and actions have consequences. For months now, the President 
and Members of Congress have spread lies and unfounded accusations 
about the integrity of our election. In doing so, they unleashed dark 
forces in our society and even incited a violent mob that attacked the 
United States Capitol. Lives were lost as a result of this 
insurrection, including those of U.S. Capitol Police Officers Brian 
Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. My prayers are with these brave 
officers' families as they mourn these devastating losses--their heroic 
actions in defense of their country will never be forgotten.
  It's time to stop perpetuating the dangerous lies that this election 
wasn't legitimate--it was. It's time to stop weaponizing calls for 
unity as an attempt to downplay a violent insurrection and avoid 
ramifications, as if healing can take place without accountability--it 
can't.
  For too long, too many have treated our democracy as if it's a 
football, something to kick around without consequence. It's not a 
football, it's more like a fragile egg. If you break it, good luck 
trying to put it back together. Failing to seek accountability now 
sends a dangerous signal to the future because the next time an 
authoritarian wannabe takes a run at our Constitution, all bets are 
off.
  At this time in our Nation's history, our party divisions have never 
seemed smaller. It doesn't matter whether you are a Democrat or a 
Republican, the choice now is between Constitutionalists and 
Insurrectionists. Constitutionalists believe in the Constitution, the 
rule of law, due process, human rights, and civil rights for all our 
citizens. Insurrectionists believe in conspiracy theories, an alternate 
reality, and putting a person or a party above the rule of law.
  I can work with anyone that's a Constitutionalist, regardless of what 
side of the aisle they're on. But as a Member of Congress, I swore an 
oath not to any one individual or one party, but to the Constitution, 
and I cannot work with anyone who is against it.
  I have repeatedly called on the President to step down for the sake 
of our Nation. I have

[[Page H191]]

asked Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to ensure the 
peaceful transfer of power. Unfortunately, these calls have gone 
unheeded, leaving us no other option than to vote to impeach President 
Trump. We must guard against any potential future danger the President 
poses, send a clear message that this type of unconstitutional behavior 
will not be tolerated, and restore the sanity and sense of calm the 
American people deserve before the inauguration of President-Elect 
Biden.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, the decision to impeach a President is a 
grave one--it is a vote that no Member wishes to cast in their 
lifetime. In my nearly four decades of service in the House of 
Representatives, I have voted to impeach a President only twice--both 
times during President Trump's term in office. The criminal invasion of 
the U.S. Capitol last week created this unprecedented moment in U.S. 
history when liberty lovers must respond in the strongest legal manner.
  Members of Congress take an oath to defend our Constitution against 
all enemies foreign and domestic. During my service, U.S. Presidents of 
both parties understood their duty to our Constitution, until now. I 
frequently reflect on the incalculable bravery and sacrifice of those 
Americans who came before us, who, from the battlefields of Antietam to 
the beaches of Normandy, fought and died to ensure that not only would 
freedom and liberty live on in these lands, but so too would our Union 
itself.
  During these last four years, our beloved country has become divided 
to an extent not seen since Reconstruction--a division so powerful that 
the daily business of our Congress has ground to a near halt, at severe 
expense to the People's work. This is occurring because of the severe 
breakdown, political divisions, and incitement exacerbated by lies and 
conspiracy theories recited at length by the President himself. He has 
belligerently refused to accept the results of this past election. With 
a clenched fist, he and his allies continue to spew divisive vitriol 
claiming no institution in this country, from the free press to 
independent election officials, can be trusted--that the only person 
worthy of the American people's confidence is Donald Trump himself.
  A week ago today, that division boiled over, culminating in a vicious 
attack by a mob on the U.S. Capitol, a place that holds national and 
international significance as the temple of liberty and 
representational democracy. Members, staff, and the Vice President, who 
were working to certify the election results of the 2020 Presidential 
Election, were forced to flee for their lives as a mob of violent 
insurrectionists broke through the doors and windows of the Capitol, 
desecrated the halls, and violently attacked Capitol Police, killing 
one and injuring over 50. The invaders, many in paramilitary attire, 
called for the execution of the Vice President, the Speaker of the 
House, and other Members. Some carried law-enforcement style handcuffs, 
bear spray, and firearms, while others erected gallows outside and 
placed pipe-bombs nearby. All the while, President Trump failed to take 
any meaningful steps to call off the attack, despite calls imploring 
him to do so as the events played out on live television. The attack 
was explicitly incited by Donald Trump as he dispatched marchers to the 
Capitol `to fight.' His incitement of the attack represents quite 
possibly the most significant example of complete moral failing by any 
President in American history.
  To impeach a President is a weighty decision. Today, the decision was 
clear. President Trump is guilty of inciting a violent insurrection 
against the United States in its most sacred home of liberty. He should 
thus be immediately removed from office and prevented from ever holding 
federal office again.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to House Resolution 41, the previous question is ordered on 
the resolution.
  The question is on adoption of the resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. JORDAN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 232, 
nays 197, not voting 4, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 17]

                               YEAS--232

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Allred
     Auchincloss
     Axne
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bourdeaux
     Bowman
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brown
     Brownley
     Bush
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Cheney
     Chu
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Craig
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Davids (KS)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Fletcher
     Foster
     Frankel, Lois
     Fudge
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gonzalez, Vicente
     Gottheimer
     Green, Al (TX)
     Grijalva
     Haaland
     Harder (CA)
     Hastings
     Hayes
     Herrera Beutler
     Higgins (NY)
     Himes
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Jackson Lee
     Jacobs (CA)
     Jayapal
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (TX)
     Jones
     Kahele
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim (NJ)
     Kind
     Kinzinger
     Kirkpatrick
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Leger Fernandez
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lieu
     Lofgren
     Lowenthal
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Manning
     Matsui
     McBath
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meijer
     Meng
     Mfume
     Moore (WI)
     Morelle
     Moulton
     Mrvan
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Newhouse
     Newman
     Norcross
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Omar
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Porter
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Rice (NY)
     Rice (SC)
     Richmond
     Ross
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Sewell
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (WA)
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stevens
     Strickland
     Suozzi
     Swalwell
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres (NY)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Underwood
     Upton
     Valadao
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wexton
     Wild
     Williams (GA)
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                               NAYS--197

     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amodei
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Babin
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Bentz
     Bergman
     Bice (OK)
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (NC)
     Boebert
     Bost
     Brady
     Brooks
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Budd
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Calvert
     Cammack
     Carl
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Cawthorn
     Chabot
     Cline
     Cloud
     Clyde
     Cole
     Comer
     Crawford
     Crenshaw
     Curtis
     Davidson
     Davis, Rodney
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Donalds
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Emmer
     Estes
     Fallon
     Feenstra
     Ferguson
     Fischbach
     Fitzgerald
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fortenberry
     Foxx
     Franklin, C. Scott
     Fulcher
     Gaetz
     Gallagher
     Garbarino
     Garcia (CA)
     Gibbs
     Gimenez
     Gohmert
     Gonzales, Tony
     Good (VA)
     Gooden (TX)
     Gosar
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TN)
     Greene (GA)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guest
     Guthrie
     Hagedorn
     Harshbarger
     Hartzler
     Hern
     Herrell
     Hice (GA)
     Higgins (LA)
     Hill
     Hinson
     Hollingsworth
     Hudson
     Huizenga
     Issa
     Jackson
     Jacobs (NY)
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Jordan
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Keller
     Kelly (MS)
     Kelly (PA)
     Kim (CA)
     Kustoff
     LaHood
     LaMalfa
     Lamborn
     Latta
     LaTurner
     Lesko
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Mace
     Malliotakis
     Mann
     Massie
     Mast
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClain
     McClintock
     McHenry
     McKinley
     Meuser
     Miller (IL)
     Miller (WV)
     Miller-Meeks
     Moolenaar
     Mooney
     Moore (AL)
     Moore (UT)
     Mullin
     Nehls
     Norman
     Nunes
     Obernolte
     Owens
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Pence
     Perry
     Pfluger
     Posey
     Reed
     Reschenthaler
     Rodgers (WA)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rose
     Rosendale
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Rutherford
     Salazar
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sessions
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smucker
     Spartz
     Stauber
     Steel
     Stefanik
     Steil
     Steube
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Taylor
     Thompson (PA)
     Tiffany
     Timmons
     Turner
     Van Drew
     Van Duyne
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walorski
     Waltz
     Weber (TX)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Williams (TX)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Wright
     Young
     Zeldin

                             NOT VOTING--4

     Granger
     Harris
     Murphy (NC)
     Webster (FL)
  


                              {time}  1633

  So the resolution was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

[[Page H192]]

  



    MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS

     Adams (Brown)
     Axne (Stevens)
     Baird (Bucshon)
     Bergman (Walberg)
     Bilirakis (Fortenberry)
     Blumenauer (Beyer)
     Bonamici (Clark (MA))
     Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries)
     Buchanan (Cammack)
     Cardenas (Gallego)
     Carson (Underwood)
     Costa (Correa)
     Crenshaw (Nehls)
     DeSaulnier (Matsui)
     DesJarlais (Kustoff)
     Deutch (Rice (NY))
     Dingell (Stevens)
     Doyle, Michael F. (Cartwright)
     Dunn (Cammack)
     Fleischmann (Kustoff)
     Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA))
     Hastings (Wasserman Schultz)
     Jayapal (Raskin)
     Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)
     Kaptur (Stevens)
     Kirkpatrick (Gallego)
     Kuster (Pingree)
     Lamborn (Walberg)
     LaTurner (Mann)
     Lawson (FL) (Evans)
     Lee (NV) (Stevens)
     Lieu (Beyer)
     Lowenthal (Beyer)
     McEachin (Wexton)
     McNerney (Huffman)
     Napolitano (Correa)
     Ocasio-Cortez (Tlaib)
     Peters (Beyer)
     Porter (Wexton)
     Pressley (Garcia (IL))
     Schneider (Sherrill)
     Sires (Pallone)
     Smith (WA) (Courtney)
     Steel (Calvert)
     Strickland (Kilmer)
     Titus (Connolly)
     Tonko (Pallone)
     Vela (Gomez)
     Walorski (Banks)
     Watson Coleman (Pallone)
     Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
     Young (Malliotakis)

                          ____________________