WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) issued the following statement following a vote on an impeachment inquiry procedural resolution:
As I stated back in 2019, ‘second only to declaring war, impeaching a President and overturning the results of an election is the most significant action that Congress can take. Impeachment is a constitutional nuclear option of last resort. Historical precedent demands that this only occurs in the most extreme of circumstances, and should happen only after a formal law enforcement investigation where independent, non-partisan factual findings of criminal activity are presented to Congress. As a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, any legitimate investigation must be completely nonpartisan, must be 360 degrees in its scope, must leave no stone unturned, must not prejudge the outcome, must follow the facts wherever they lead and must report those facts with unimpeachable integrity.’
Let me be clear: today’s inquiry resolution only authorizes the Oversight, Ways and Means, and Judiciary committees to continue their already existing investigation, and allows them to fully enforce currently outstanding, congressionally-issued subpoenas. It does not contain any articles of impeachment.
Why is this step necessary? The White House, in a November 17, 2023 letter to Congress where they refused to comply with congressional subpoenas and interview requests, justified their failure to cooperate by stating that “…the Constitution requires that the full House authorize an impeachment inquiry before a committee may utilize compulsory process pursuant to the impeachment power…”. So, in other words, this White House response has forced us to hold this vote before they are willing to cooperate with congressionally-authorized subpoenas and allow for full transparency and a determination of all the facts.
The American people deserve complete transparency and an indisputable evidentiary record. Moreover, the House must have all of the facts before deciding whether or not to proceed with this matter any further. Until we have all of the facts, no one should prejudge or pursue any predetermined outcome based on partisan politics. I certainly will not.
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