Washington, D.C. — Today on December 18, 2019, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. cast the historic vote to support House Resolution 755 (H.Res.755), which contains two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.  The two articles stated that Trump abused the power of his office to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election and obstructed Congressional investigations into his conduct.  President Trump’s actions fit the very definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors” outlined in the U.S. Constitution as worthy of presidential impeachment.

Congressman Payne, Jr. said the evidence presented in the articles and the Mueller report show that President Trump has abused his office since the day he was elected.

“Today, I voted to protect and defend our Constitution,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “It is clear to me that President Trump tried to use American military aid to convince the Ukrainian president to investigate a political rival.  He made this request after he solicited Russian help to interfere and undermine the 2016 election.  His actions are a threat to our democracy and our national security.  He has put his own interests above the interests of the American people.  Congress needs to impeach him to protect the public good.  I am proud of my House colleagues for their courageous vote today.  No one is above the law.”

Now that the House has voted to approve both articles, the Senate will vote next year to determine if the reasons for impeachment warrant the president’s removal from office.  The historic vote to impeach President Trump is only the third one in U.S. history.  Previous votes to impeach President Andrew Johnson in 1868 and President Bill Clinton in 1998 passed the House, but failed to pass the Senate.

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