Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) introduces bill calling for impeachment of Bush and Cheney

[ticapnews]

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=109105&ac=PHnws

A lawmaker from Portland introduced a resolution in the Maine Legislature on Tuesday calling for the U.S. House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for their handling of the Iraq war.

Sen. Ethan Strimling, a Democrat, introduced the proposal as impeachment activists rallied in front of the State House and delivered more than 11,000 petition signatures to legislative leaders.

Strimling said he doesn't know whether impeachment is warranted but he wants the debate to take place.

He urged activists to keep gathering signatures and contacting state lawmakers.

"You better believe, in this building right now, they know you're out there," Strimling told about 80 people gathered outside the capitol.

Activists have been pushing the issue in various states to press the U.S. House toward impeachment. Strimling's bill makes Maine the 11th state where such resolutions have been proposed, they said.

It's not yet clear whether Strimling's bill will be considered by the Legislature. Bills introduced this late in the session need permission from legislative leaders to move forward.