Failure, Failure, and the 14th Amendment
Hello everyone and welcome back to another week of Politics Explained! If you’re new, we release short and concise blogs every Friday to recap the happenings on Capitol Hill. This week there’s lots to cover; specifically, an impeachment of the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, a failed border deal, and challenges to Former President Donald Trump's reelection. With that being said, let's dive right into it!
Earlier this week, a group of Senators wrote a bipartisan border deal to give help to the border and Ukraine and Israel’s wars. Congress has been working on a bill of sorts for around 3 months to help give Ukraine and Israel some kind of aid. As the week went on, more and more concern surfaced about the bill to where we are now at a standstill and the bill is almost completely dead. The bill included $118.3 billion that would be put forth to Israel, Ukraine, and the U.S.’s Southern border. Former President Donald Trump (who comes up again later) voiced his concern about the bill as he wants to make one of his campaign goals to do exactly what the bill states. House and Senate Democrats are still fighting for aid to Ukraine and Israel as we continue to go on with no legislation being passed to help give aid. More will come from this so stay tuned!
Tuesday night Republican members brought an impeachment vote to the House to try and impeach Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas. Republicans accused Mayorkas of “willingful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and “breach of public trust.” The vote was voted on and Republicans lost 216:214 as 4 Republican members sided with the Democrats. The first three Republicans were Reps. Ken Buck (R-CO), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Mike Gallenger (R-WI). They had all stated their reason earlier in the week and Representative Ken Buck said that Mayorkas was not a very good Secretary of Homeland Security, but did not commit treason*, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors that would result in impeachment. The last Republican switched his vote to “no” so there could be a revote later on. One of the shocking stories of the whole thing was Rep. Al Green (D-TX), who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery, who came into the chamber in a wheelchair and hospital scrubs to vote on the matter. After the vote, when Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was asked if they would try again on the matter of impeachment, he responded, “Yes.” Republicans will most likely wait for Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to come back to Washington as he is recovering from cancer treatment.
Back in January, we talked about Former President Donald Trump being taken off ballots in Colorado and Maine. Now the next step in the process has taken place and the issue is being brought in front of the Supreme Court. The challenges are based on section 3 of the 14th Amendment which states that one is not allowed to take future office if, while they were in office and took an oath to uphold the constitution, they “engaged in rebellion” from holding office. (One of the coolest things for me as I write this blog is the fact that I’m currently taking AP United States History and we’re learning about the reconstruction after the Civil War, which includes the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. It gives me a full revelation of how these amendments are still being used today.) But back to the challenges, this is the first time since 2000, when the Bush vs. Gore case happened, that the Supreme Court has had to intervene in the Presidential election. As of right now, reports are that the Justices of the Supreme Court are leaning towards ruling on this matter and to keep Trump on the ballot, but a lot could change, so stay tuned for more to come on this!
*Definition of the Week (Treason): A crime when one betrays their own country.
