Democratic leaders are cranking up the pressure on Representative Brad Sherman and other lawmakers to abandon efforts to force an impeachment vote on President Donald Trump, The Hill reports.
The leaders are worried that an aggressive push for impeachment could both undercut the ongoing investigations into the Trump campaign’s Russian ties and politicize those probes in ways that might damage Democrats in their districts.
Tensions spilled over in a House Democratic Caucus meeting on Tuesday, when Representative Michael Capuano, a leadership ally, warned that forcing lawmakers to go on the record about impeachment could hurt Democrats chances at the polls.
“There must be a discussion within the caucus, in a public forum, before we do something that would position our colleagues or our future colleagues. Emotions are high. These issues have political implications and government ones”, Capuano said, according to a source in the closed-door meeting.
A pair of Democratic leaders, Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Joseph Crowley supported Capuano during the meeting, saying the party should focus its energy on issues like defending ObamaCare and creating jobs.
“There is a need for a family discussion before any issue of this magnitude is brought forward. It’s of a courtesy to our colleagues”, Crowley said, according to the source.
The message was directed at Sherman, who unveiled Monday a draft article of impeachment against Trump, saying the President obstructed justice by allegedly pressuring former FBI Director James Comey to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Sherman, the source said, was in the room for the entirety of the criticism but he declined to speak. After the meeting he told The Hill that he has assured Democratic leaders that he won’t try to force a floor vote without their input first.
“I said, ‘I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m not doing anything until I consult with colleagues and leadership’”, he said after the meeting.
Sherman plans to formally introduce the article of impeachment later this week or next, and then will give Republican leaders at least a few weeks to decide how the House Judiciary Committee should respond. He predicted that any floor vote, if it happens, most likely wouldn’t be until after the August recess.
Under House rules, any member can offer a “privileged” resolution that must get floor consideration within two legislative days. If the majority party rejects it, the lawmaker offering the resolution can still force a procedural vote to serve as a referendum.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee, which would handle articles of impeachment, say the investigations into Russia’s collusion need to be completed before they consider any form of action.
“Let honest investigations run their course, and then we will be able to determine who, if anyone, should be held accountable,” said Representative Eric Swalwell, a member of both the Judiciary and the Intelligence committees.
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