Some Republicans Firmly Against Impeachment
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., made it clear on Thursday that he is a “solid” no on the impeachment of Mayorkas. He criticized the Biden official for his handling of the southern border crisis. Buck stated, “The people that I’m talking to on the outside, the constitutional experts, former members agree that this just isn’t an impeachable offense.” At least four other Republicans are still undecided publicly.
Republicans Reviewing Material and Undecided
Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio, leader of the Republican Governance Group, is reviewing the material provided by Chairman Green. House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has not revealed his stance on the matter. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Tom McClintock, R-Calif., have also declined to disclose which way they are leaning. Updates from their offices are pending.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Challenge
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has been managing one of the thinnest House majorities in history in recent weeks. With absences on the GOP side and the departure of three former lawmakers, Johnson has been facing a tightrope walk with just a two-seat majority. However, he recently gained some breathing room with the resignation of longtime Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., are also expected to return to the House soon.
Stakes High for House GOP
The failure of the Mayorkas impeachment in the House would be a significant blow to the House GOP’s emphasis on the border crisis. House Republicans have rallied behind the effort to impeach Mayorkas, accusing him of willfully disregarding the law in allowing the border crisis to escalate. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a key moderate, recently announced his support for impeachment, stating, “Because we have a disaster at the border. And I would say there’s so many laws on the books that he could enact or enforce, and he does not.”