House delivers Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate
(WASHINGTON) — House impeachment managers walked across the Capitol and delivered articles of impeachment to the Senate Tuesday, triggering a trial for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The House narrowly impeached Mayorkas in February--accusing him of mishandling of the Southern border and lying to Congress.
"He failed to take action to fulfill his statutory duty to control the border," Rep. Mark Green (R- Tenn.) said.
Congressman Green read off the charges to the Senate. He says Mayorkas's mismanagement has led to more drugs, crime and a growing humanitarian crisis in the U.S.
"Alejandro N. Mayorkas thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor," Green said.
However, the trial has an uncertain future in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where a simple majority vote could dismiss the charges.
Some House Democrats say the trial shouldn't move forward at all.
"The Senate should throw it out," Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) said.
During a budget hearing for the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats called the impeachment articles a sham.
"Because they're meritless, baseless and because they're purely political in nature," Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) said.
Secretary Mayorkas defended his actions to the committee.
"We abide by the law," Mayorkas said.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is pushing for a full trial.
"Every one of us who is following the law should convict and remove Alejandro Mayorkas," Cruz said.
Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer said Senators will be sworn in as jurors Wednesday afternoon.
"We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible. Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement," Schumer said.