This week congressional lawmakers will vote on a resolution to formalize the next steps of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
Since being elected, House Democrats have targeted the President for impeachment, and with the 2020 Presidential election around the corner, the impeachment effort has been gaining strength.
In a letter to fellow Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) expressed, “we are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump Administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives.”
Though initially saying that she would not pursue impeachment, critics claim that the far-left wing of the Democratic party twisted her arm. In turn, Florida Reps. like Charlie Crist (D), Donna Shalala (D), Stephanie Murphy (D) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) (pictured), who all face a tough reelection in 2020, have been criticized for focusing on impeachment instead of on voting to pass the USMCA, combating the opioid crisis, lowering prescription drug prices, or funding infrastructure improvements.
Furthermore, Pelosi explained in the letter that the resolution, which “establishes the procedure for hearings,” would mark the first-floor vote on impeachment since Democrats first formally launched their inquiry last month.
In response, White House counsel Pat Cipollone commented that “in the history of our Nation, the House of Representatives has never attempted to launch an impeachment inquiry against the President without a majority of the House taking political accountability for that decision by voting to authorize such a dramatic constitutional step.”
Democrats in the sunshine state have been at the forefront of the impeachment conversation, but President Trump has continuously maintained that, should there be an investigation, it would only be a waste of taxpayer money, time and effort.
Still, moderate Democrats have expressed hesitancy at calling for a floor vote on the matter, especially since it’s election season and Democrats are looking to win the White House and the Senate.