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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGet ready. It's on now. -- Seven national security Dems call for impeachment
These are the core of the Democrats in close seats that were holding Pelosi back on impeachment.
This is a fundamental change. Buckle your seatbelts.
By Gil Cisneros, Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Elaine Luria, Mikie Sherrill, Elissa Slotkin and Abigail Spanberger
September 23, 2019 at 9:00 PM EDT
Reps. Gil Cisneros of California, Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Elaine Luria of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia are all freshman Democrats.
Our lives have been defined by national service. We are not career politicians. We are veterans of the military and of the nations defense and intelligence agencies. Our service is rooted in the defense of our country on the front lines of national security.
We have devoted our lives to the service and security of our country, and throughout our careers, we have sworn oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States many times over. Now, we join as a unified group to uphold that oath as we enter uncharted waters and face unprecedented allegations against President Trump.
The president of the United States may have used his position to pressure a foreign country into investigating a political opponent, and he sought to use U.S. taxpayer dollars as leverage to do it. He allegedly sought to use the very security assistance dollars appropriated by Congress to create stability in the world, to help root out corruption and to protect our national security interests, for his own personal gain. These allegations are stunning, both in the national security threat they pose and the potential corruption they represent. We also know that on Sept. 9, the inspector general for the intelligence community notified Congress of a credible and urgent whistleblower complaint related to national security and potentially involving these allegations. Despite federal law requiring the disclosure of this complaint to Congress, the administration has blocked its release to Congress.
This flagrant disregard for the law cannot stand. To uphold and defend our Constitution, Congress must determine whether the president was indeed willing to use his power and withhold security assistance funds to persuade a foreign country to assist him in an upcoming election.
If these allegations are true, we believe these actions represent an impeachable offense. We do not arrive at this conclusion lightly, and we call on our colleagues in Congress to consider the use of all congressional authorities available to us, including the power of inherent contempt and impeachment hearings, to address these new allegations, find the truth and protect our national security.
As members of Congress, we have prioritized delivering for our constituents remaining steadfast in our focus on health care, infrastructure, economic policy and our communities priorities. Yet everything we do harks back to our oaths to defend the country. These new allegations are a threat to all we have sworn to protect. We must preserve the checks and balances envisioned by the Founders and restore the trust of the American people in our government. And that is what we intend to do.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/09/24/seven-freshman-democrats-these-allegations-are-threat-all-we-have-sworn-protect/
elleng
(130,865 posts)50 Shades Of Blue
(9,975 posts)RandySF
(58,763 posts)It's really on now.
MontanaMama
(23,307 posts)High crimes and misdemeanors during the pundit shows last week? She was saying it judiciously but still...
7wo7rees
(5,128 posts)EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)Nowadays, it's the "Pelosi Rule" that is in effect. And that rule states "Do nothing unless it is supported by Senate Republicans."
napi21
(45,806 posts)Nancy knows she HAS TO HAVE not only a majority of House votes, but she also needs many of the new members who were elected in Repug districts. I heard tonight , several times that many of those new Congressmen have jumped on the impeachment wagon. That's why Nancy has called a meeting tomorrow AM. I'm thinkin' Nancy just might change her mind this time/
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Is out-of-the-box thinking and actions. I know, it seems futile..but at some point you have to realize what we are doing isn't working. Otherwise nothing happens. And it's about things with enormous impact..like how the 2020 election has not been protected. Maybe I haven't listened enough but what is happening with our Dems in the Senate?
markmac
(12 posts)She can NOT call for impeachment without knowing it'll be STRONGLY supported by her caucus. This will fail in the Senate, but that is NOTHING compared to her bringing it up and it failing in the HOUSE. She's doing her job, counting votes and checking all the boxes she needs to.
obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)Leghorn21
(13,524 posts)sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)I have been pushing Pelosi, wishing she would take action.
But if Pelosi is backed by her members and now really WANTS to impeach and do real oversight, there's no one better to have at the helm.
Response to sharedvalues (Reply #65)
SMC22307 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to sharedvalues (Reply #65)
Laura PourMeADrink This message was self-deleted by its author.
NBachers
(17,103 posts)Dave in VA
(2,037 posts)I know that the Congress members from Virginia are some of the freshmen that Nancy has been trying to protect by not rushing to impeachment. With them on board, it will make her movement toward hearings much easier.
Just my $0.02
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)There will inevitably be negative responses
StarfishSaver is due in a few min to come here and tell us why this wasnt necessary and we dont need to do anything and just trust the process
But make no mistake. This is BIG!!!!!
Response to sharedvalues (Reply #9)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Bradshaw3
(7,512 posts)So much truth in this post.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)The "process" is broken.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)She is getting the votes and counting everyone of them.
This still will not be happening tomorrow. Hearings will be held. Articles of Impeachment will be written and then they will be voted on. They are following the rule of law.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)The analysts we're JUST saying Dems need to pounce and act extremely quickly and narrow focus to maybe even just this thing while still in the news! We had our chance to do exactly that on April 3rd when Mueller report came out and we let it evaporate. If we drag this out, shame on us.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)NBachers
(17,103 posts)There's an established road map of how to get from here to there. I trust the people who will follow that road map and do all the infinitely detailed things necessary to make it happen.
We've got one chance to get this right. I'm trusting the pros.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Robert Mueller is? Giving no full-throated unequivocal pronouncement that trump has committed impeachable offenses? Or falling into Trump's out-lawyering and delay web? Or the process of thinking witnesses will show up?
On the bright side, Seth Moulton just said he is confident they are coming around !!! We can still say better now than never. There are many millions of good Democrats who hopefully will be happy.
triron
(21,998 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)against holding a criminal accountable means the process is definitely broken. Hopefully we won't have to live through this again. Hopefully it will really happen too
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)Getting the votes. I see no need to negatively call out a member of DU.
There will inevitably be negative responses
StarfishSaver is due in a few min to come here and tell us why this wasnt necessary and we dont need to do anything and just trust the process
Also we still have a long row to hoe. This isn't happening tomorrow or even next week. Hearings still need to be held and then the articles for impeachment need to be written with every i dotted and every t crossed. Then and only then will congress vote.
Yes. This is huge, Pelosi is getting the votes she needed.
DemocracyMouse
(2,275 posts)Leadership requires an inspiring vision along with strategy.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)49. She could have been a stronger leader and encouraged he colleagues to get on with it after Muellar.
They haven't even received or read the unredacted Mueller report. You want them to go in half blind.
Leadership requires an inspiring vision along with strategy.
Fact is unless you are a confidant of Nancy Pelosi you really do not know her strategy and I find her vision inspiring.
Our speaker has been a brilliant tactician her whole political career. Shes got this, IMO.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)After 20 plus bashing Pelosi threads today we still have this.
Sigh.
MontanaMama
(23,307 posts)Until weve walked a mile in her pumps...dont get me wrong, Im impatient to ITMF but she knows a lot more than we do. If she doesnt have the votes...the DEM votes, I might add then holy crap...whats she supposed to do or say publicly? I dont join the Nancy bashing ever.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)And this. He seriously thought she was applauding him.
Don't fugg with Nancy.
DemocracyMouse
(2,275 posts)1) The fact that the unredacted Mueller report was out of reach was another reason why impeachment was necessary in addition to impeaching him for the 10 instances of obstruction of justice identified by Mueller, the impeachment process empowers congress with greater leverage to access the unredacted report.
2) Government behind closed doors is ugly and not inspiring. We need open hearings. Let some light in. All this clubbiness is pitiful and undemocratic.
SlogginThroughIt
(1,977 posts)Calling out a poster like this is way out of line.
Ugly stuff. This kind of crap destroys communities.
sheshe2
(83,740 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)NBachers
(17,103 posts)posts my extra attention and consideration. They know what they're writing about.
pazzyanne
(6,547 posts)I find Starfish Saver's posts to provide a balanced, insightful view of the issues he/she addresses.
Mister Ed
(5,928 posts)... rather than preemptively stuffing words of your own choosing into her mouth.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)has taken up residence in several heads connected to the asses shes been kicking.
Don't you think it's obvious? If not, let me assure you that it really is.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)SMC22307
(8,090 posts)Logging off before the lecture.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Asking people to break the law wasn't big enough. Or telling people he'd pardon them if they broke the law. Or paying hush money to a porn star so he'd get elected...or keeping kids in cages and much more
Hotler
(11,416 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)It takes some work; it isn't just Pelosi snapping her fingers.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)him to commit a worse crime. One that more Dems think is bad enough. Obviously, could see how we couldn't say that before. I think the problem or challenge now is ...if and how you go back retroactively to pull in the behaviors of the past which many didn't think we're bad enough?
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)I have to say I have been wanting Pelosi to move earlier than this.
But in retrospect we may find her strategy to wait until he committed additional crimeswas genius.
And at this point, if Nancy is committed, there is I better person to lead impeachment.
BeyondGeography
(39,369 posts)Captain Zero
(6,801 posts)AllyCat
(16,177 posts)ITMFA.
standingtall
(2,785 posts)supporting impeachment now including the 2 from Minnesota Chris Hayes reported earlier and I don't even know if that list includes Amash,Schiff,Nadler and Pelosi.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)triron
(21,998 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)jcgoldie
(11,631 posts)Seems likely to me.
Captain Zero
(6,801 posts)orangecrush
(19,534 posts)Stinky The Clown
(67,788 posts)These are the very members Nancy Pelosi has been protecting. She listens to them.
This is huge.
ancianita
(36,023 posts)RandySF
(58,763 posts)Slotkin, Luria and Spanberger were already vulnerable.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,128 posts)It doesn't get more fundamental than this. Bedrock gravitas. The OP is right. It's on!
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)Hermit-The-Prog
(33,321 posts)That ain't a tweetstorm, but it may cause one.
elleng
(130,865 posts)mopinko
(70,078 posts)very impressive. watch for the vid.
oasis
(49,376 posts)dflprincess
(28,075 posts)who represent Minnesota CDs 2 & 3 also came around to the idea of impeachment today.
Both are moderate Dems who were elected from swing districts. Craig's district is pretty much split between suburban & rural areas while Dean represents a district that hadn't elected a Democrat since at least 1961.
And Christine Pelosi (the Speaker's daughter) has put out a tweet with a link to the article referenced in the OP. I wouldn't think she'd do this without her mother knowing (though I could be wrong).
Link to tweet
I think the dam has broken.
blm
(113,043 posts)I think this week. Maybe even a couple days.
Bradshaw3
(7,512 posts)Everything I've seen says that the WH, incuding the POS himself, is afraid of impeachment. And, as with any bully, inaction or ineffective action, only emboldens them. It certainly has taught him to keep pushing and thinking he can get away with anything.
shanti
(21,675 posts)Trump is DARING us to impeach him.
Bradshaw3
(7,512 posts)They finally had to ship his sorry ass off to military school.
obamanut2012
(26,068 posts)I mean, Weld is certainly not Trump, and is a patriot and not terribly hard right, but he also is definitely Republican. And, he is running for President.
avebury
(10,952 posts)Stuart G
(38,414 posts)Gothmog
(145,129 posts)OliverQ
(3,363 posts)She's Senior Whip of the House Dems. That's a big leadership role.
CaptainTruth
(6,588 posts)Smart media strategy.
orangecrush
(19,534 posts)TomSlick
(11,096 posts)[link:
|orangecrush
(19,534 posts)That was awesome!
sprinkleeninow
(20,235 posts)This right here: What good is healthcare, infrastructure, economic policy and well-being of our communities when we have subterfuge in the highest governmental office.
At the UN defending his sorry self as usual about the convo with Ukraine. Eyeballs wanna pop outta sockets.
shanti
(21,675 posts)This is courage!
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)They taught us this in grade school.
Never appease a dictator!
Impeach!
gademocrat7
(10,654 posts)Time to impeach the treasonous bastard.
theglammistress
(348 posts)I didn't think it ever would... but with the movements and news of the past couple of hours, I'm confident Nancy will begin impeachment proceedings soon.
I hope everyone is ready because things are about to get wild. Dems need to band together through this and keep our wits strong. The GOP will be nastier than anything any of us has ever seen before.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,582 posts)Duppers
(28,118 posts)MyMission
(1,849 posts)I posted this earlier on another thread, wondering which repug senators are former military?
I rambled off a draft of a letter to them that would basically say "You served, were willing to put your life on the line for the sake of this country. We need you to do that again. Be brave. Stand up and do your duty. Stand up against the corruption that has taken hold in the white house. If you lose your reelection campaign (if you're even running for reelection) you will have done so in defense of your country. Your vote will matter. You were willing to sacrifice yourself once. Are you still willing to? Be a true patriot. History will remember you kindly for a heroic deed, rather than castigating you as one of a group of enablers. Remember John McCain? Would he have stood up for the USA rather than standing for the rampant corruption/impeachable offenses of the white house? You know the answer. He would have sacrificed his life and his career to save us. He is so respected and well loved and remembered by the American people of both parties. That honor awaits you too. I pray you have the strength and courage to do the right thing."
And NOW, here we have Noble, Courageous former military who are Democratic members of Congress, willing to stand up for our country, to do the right thing, some putting their reelection at stake. I'm so proud of them!
I have googled to find out who the former repuglican military senators are. Kept finding lists of those who served in ww2 and are no longer in the Senate! Pew research led me to a military times article that wouldn't fully load on my phone. Wikipedia page was current as of 2014!
Now that these brave members of congress have spoken, I will need to revise my draft and incorporate some of their words, and find out which current republican senators have served. I would hope and expect that former military would be more courageous, and am so proud of these democratic congresspeople. I'd also hope that at least some repug senators getting a letter reminding them of their oath to protect and defend (or a slew of letters) might make some of them think, speak up, and maybe vote to impeach when the time comes.
Looks like the time may be coming sooner rather than later!
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)It's Time!
James48
(4,435 posts)Slotkin is my Congress Woman. She is in a leans red +9 district.
And she is doing the right thing for exactly the right reason. I am SO proud she is my Congresswoman!
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)spanone
(135,823 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)SMC22307
(8,090 posts)furious coordination under way.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)I shouldn't get too excited...never ends good.
SMC22307
(8,090 posts)And #MoscowMitch and the Senate aren't on board, dammit! Don't you rubes know anything about civics?!?! I've walked the halls of Congress - I KNOW!
MFM008
(19,805 posts)Calling a meeting of all house Democrats tomorrow.
SMC22307
(8,090 posts)...
As members of Congress, we have prioritized delivering for our constituents remaining steadfast in our focus on health care, infrastructure, economic policy and our communities priorities. Yet everything we do harks back to our oaths to defend the country. These new allegations are a threat to all we have sworn to protect. We must preserve the checks and balances envisioned by the Founders and restore the trust of the American people in our government. And that is what we intend to do.
Finally, something to give me hope...
PatrickforO
(14,570 posts)NotHardly
(1,062 posts)sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)Python boot
(74 posts)Senator Chris Murphy called out the orange vulgarian on the obvious quid pro quo in a press release on August 29.
I would like to see Democratic house members vote to change the house rules and impose a substantial fine on the acting DNI for every day the whistleblower complaint is withheld from Congress.