Posted on 09/28/2019 1:45:19 AM PDT by robowombat
First House Republican backs impeachment inquiry
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) on Friday became the first House Republican to voice support for an impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
In a conference call with reporters, Amodei made clear he wouldn’t vote to impeach Trump, but he also expressed concern over the president’s dealings with Ukraine, adding that the House should “put it through the process and see what happens.”
“I’m a big fan of oversight, so let’s let the committees get to work and see where it goes,” he said, according to audio of the call released by The Nevada Independent.
“Using government agencies to, if it’s proven, to put your finger on the scale of an election, I don’t think that’s right,” Amodei added. “If it turns out that it’s something along those lines, then there’s a problem.”
He later issued a statement after The Independent’s piece was published, emphasizing he was not in favor of impeaching Trump but supportive of the investigative approach.
“In no way, shape, or form, did I indicate support for impeachment," he said.
Amodei, who represents a ruby red district in northern Nevada, said he agreed with a statement from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) in which she said, “We have to follow the facts and figure out what happened here.”
His comments came amid an uproar on Capitol Hill over a July 25 conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, when Trump suggested Kiev launch an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the president’s chief political rivals.
“There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great," Trump said on the call, according to a memorandum. "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me.”
A declassified version of a whistleblower complaint regarding the conversation says “multiple White House officials with direct knowledge” of the call expressed concern that Trump was using his office for his personal political gain. The complaint also revealed the White House sought to conceal a transcript of the call and that a future phone call or meeting with Ukraine “would depend on whether Zelensky showed willingness to ‘play ball.’”
Trump has accused Biden of misconduct over his efforts to convince Ukraine to dismiss a prosecutor who was investigating a natural gas company on whose board his son sat. Biden says he wanted the prosecutor dismissed over insufficient efforts to tackle corruption, and no evidence has emerged to suggest Biden acted to benefit his son.
Amodei said Trump’s phrasing was inartful, but that it was not proof of any wrongdoing.
“If it was my statement and I had the ability to do it over, I would probably phrase it differently,” Amodei said of Trump’s phone call with Zelensky, adding, “I don’t know that it’s a smoking gun.”
“I think that’s why we have the committee process,” he continued. “Part of what the committees will do is try to find some context for that and then based on what a fair reading of the context is, they’ll go forward from there.”
Rep. Justin Amash, an independent from Michigan, left the Republican Party months after he said special counsel Robert Mueller's report showed Trump "engaged in impeachable conduct."
Amodei, the lone Republican in Nevada's congressional delegation, has repeatedly won reelection by double digits in his district, including in 2018 when he defeated Democrat Clint Koble by more than 16 points.
What an idiot.
He’s not spineless ... he’s an imposter.
Jesus!!! Where is the RNC on this??? That witch chairwoman better get her butt in freakin gear and RAISE HELL!!!!! Oh I forgot she Romney’s niece!!!
Impeachment Inquiry (GOP delegation from Blue State Illinois):
Everyone has their eyes on Washington as Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats continue their obsessive quest to reverse the results of the 2016 Presidential election in which Donald J. Trump was duly elected. Speaker Pelosi, after rebuffing them for months, has finally relinquished her gavel to the AOC “Squad” wing of her party.
With that said, this is a serious matter that will capture the attention of the nation. As I type this, the interim DNI Director is testifying in the House Intelligence Committee on the “whistleblower” complaint. The folks who know most about this matter and are in the halls of power representing us are our Republican congressmen.
The following are the statements released from each of our five Republican congressmen after the impeachment inquiry was announced:
Mike Bost (IL-12)
“Speaker Pelosi and the Washington Democrats are rushing to the cliff’s edge on impeachment and preparing to jump with blindfolds on. Since day one, they have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this president. The American people have had enough; they want jobs, better trade deals, new infrastructure, and an end to the opioid crisis.”
Rodney Davis (IL-13)
“Democrats seem intent on impeaching this president no matter the facts and again putting the cart before the horse. Impeachment is a very serious charge and will halt any progress on legislation important to my constituents. Late last night, Democrats canceled a hearing I was supposed to lead because of impeachment. It’s already negatively impacting Congress’ ability to get anything done. It’s disappointing to me that Speaker Pelosi’s impeachment ploy continues to be based on politics, not facts.”
John Shimkus (IL-15)
“My colleagues’ continuing refusal to accept the results of the 2016 election is bad for our country. I’ve read the Mueller report, and I will review the call transcript and whistleblower report, but I’ve yet to see evidence against the president that warrants impeachment.”
Adam Kinzinger (IL-16)
“Impeachment is a serious charge and it is not something to be taken lightly. As the Congressman has said before, no foreign government should have an influence on our election, no matter what — nor should an American president utilize the power of this country to affect an election. It is deeply concerning to see Democrats jump ahead of the facts to satiate their desire for impeachment proceedings to begin. Congressman Kinzinger looks forward to reviewing the transcript, which will be released by the President tomorrow, and he will reserve judgement until such information is brought to light.”
Darin LaHood (IL-18)
“Articles of impeachment should only be used with extreme caution and rooted in evidence and facts. Moreover, impeachment is divisive and would essentially nullify the 2016 election and the will of the American people. It is disappointing that so many Democrats have jumped to conclusions before reading the full transcript released by the White House today.
Instead of working to strengthen our economy by passing USMCA or reaching across the aisle to lower the cost of prescription drugs or fight the opioid epidemic, Democrats decided to placate to their extreme base by wasting more taxpayer dollars on an impeachment investigation. In addition, the Democrats have compromised an important European ally in Ukraine and potentially harmed our national security.
The American people didn’t send us to Washington to rewrite the results of the 2016 election. They sent us to Washington to solve problems, and it’s unfortunate that Democrats continue to put politics over progress and results.”
Sadly this Never Trumper, pro-Amnesty RINO is my member of congress. Republicans have had a really bad string of politicians. I’m hoping there is a serious, credible primary challenge to Amodei as I will never vote for him again. Yes, let the seat fall to a Democrat for two-years rather than see this idiot re-elected.
It is NOT fake news. He later said that he didn’t speak carefully enough. That is all. He is a Never Trumper and supports impeachment.
Mark Amodei must be a pal of dingy Harry Reid.
I think he takes it back
Oversight?! ... Oversight?!
Congress doesn't have "oversight" of the President, just as the Executive Branch doesn't have "oversight" of the Legislative Branch, you ignorant fool!
No, he easily won the last election 59 - 42.
Republicans are the majority of registered voters in his district.
https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/home/showdocument?id=6174
Yes, he is Mormon, and his CD is mostly part of the Mormon Corridor.
Amodei fails to recognize that every Never Trumper has lost their primary, election, or re-election in Nevada. He’s next. As I wrote earlier in the thread, I’d rather see a Democrat win that seat for two-years than see him re-elected. There wouldn’t be much of a difference. I’m absolutely sure I am not alone in that sentiment here in Nevada.
Sounds to me like a “put up or shut up” kind of statement by this guy.
Pelosi’s announcement that impeachment was needed to save the country, restore our honor, show our patriotism, constitutional crisis, yadda yadda yadda.....
sets the bar for the Dems. They now are guided by the rule of law.....
Here’s the problem Dems....you are crying wolf again and the election cycle is coming too soon for the electorate to forget another witch hunt failure.
When ya don’t have the facts on your side, but still push for a vote in the House......
that vote will fall on party lines.
Every voter will then know that this was not a legal action, but a partisan political action.
Dems, ya better work on your resumes and start looking for some other work.
90% chance Mormon
“What is wrong with a Nevada and Utah voters?”
Mormons
It’s NEWMAN!!
Why the anti-Mormon comments, bias, and bigotry in the thread? It is very inappropriate and casts FR in very bad light.
The Mormons in southern Nevada are the epitome of Romney-style establishment GOP - exceedingly cliquish and corrupt. And this buffoon Amodei is a perfect example. The Mormons play at being conservative but vote straight establishment...or what their bishops pass down to them to do.
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