WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 14, 2023
In a bipartisan move, the House voted Monday evening to quash a bold but improbable attempt by “Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)” to impeach “Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.” The resolution was effectively set aside by a vote of 209-201, with lawmakers referring it to the House Homeland Security Committee, thwarting Greene’s efforts to bring it to the House floor for consideration.
Greene, a conservative firebrand, had introduced the resolution as “privileged,” compelling the House to address it on the floor within two legislative days. However, the resolution’s dismissal by a bipartisan majority, including eight Republicans, demonstrated the limited support for such a drastic measure.
Among the Republicans who joined forces with Democrats to defeat the motion were Cliff Bentz of California, Ken Buck of Colorado, Darrell Issa of California, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Tom McClintock of California, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, John Duarte of California, and Mike Turner of Ohio.
Expressing her frustration after the House decision, Greene stated, “I’m outraged. I can assure you that Republican voters will be extremely angry that they’ve done this.” Despite the setback, she hinted at the possibility of reintroducing the resolution in the future and using the privileged status again to force another vote.
The Department of Homeland Security swiftly dismissed Greene’s impeachment effort, emphasizing the need for Congress to focus on pressing national security priorities. A spokesperson for the department stated, “Secretary Mayorkas continues to be laser-focused on the safety and security of our nation. This baseless attack is completely without merit and a harmful distraction from our critical national security priorities.”
Despite the rejection of the impeachment effort, some GOP lawmakers expressed support for the initiative. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, publicly endorsed the impeachment of Mayorkas, linking it to border control. “A vote to impeach Mayorkas is a vote to get our border under control. I’ll be voting to impeach,” Emmer declared.
The push to impeach Mayorkas gained traction among some House Republicans, particularly those critical of his handling of the migrant crisis at the southern border. However, the fervor for impeaching Mayorkas diminished following the initiation of House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The defeat of Greene’s resolution underscored the shift in focus toward impeaching the president rather than his Cabinet members.
The vote, which saw eight Republicans breaking ranks, highlights the complex dynamics within the GOP regarding issues related to immigration and border security. While Greene’s resolution may not have gained the traction she hoped for, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension within the Republican Party on key policy matters. The decision to refer the resolution to the House Homeland Security Committee suggests that, for now, the House is not willing to entertain the prospect of impeaching Secretary Mayorkas.