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CNN Live Event/Special
The Second Trump Impeachment Vote; Six Republicans Have Announced They Will Vote for Impeachment; Now: House Debating Article of Impeachment. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired January 13, 2021 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
[14:30:00]
GARAMENDI: Madam Speaker, I rise today determined to fulfill our sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Last week's violent insurrection on the Capitol is a stain on our democracy. A riotous mob, incited by the president, stormed these very halls, beat and murdered police officers, planted pipe bombs and left our nation shocked and in mourning.
The president's rhetoric, actions and refusal to accept responsibilities and an imminent threat to our nation. I vote to impeach the president, I urge my colleagues to do the same.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time is expired. The gentleman from New York reserves.
The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves.
The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Krishnamoorthi.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 30 seconds.
[14:25:00]
KRISHNAMOORTHI: Madam Speaker, my parents brought me as an infant to America because they knew it's the land of democracy. It's the beacon of hope for all the world. We called it the American dream.
When Donald Trump told rioters to go to the Capitol and, quote- unquote, "fight like hell," he incited an attack on the Capitol and the ideals comprising the American dream. I'm voting for impeachment because I know we're still the country my parents believed in, and I will fight like hell for it. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back, the gentleman from New York reserves.
The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves.
The gentleman from New York?
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the gentlelady from Michigan, Ms. Lawrence.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Michigan is recognized for 30 seconds.
LAWRENCE: Madam Chair, on Wednesday the 6th, Democrats and Republicans hid on the floor, put on gas masks and was ushered out of this room. We in this country cannot begin healing and unity without accountability and justice.
The president of the United States incited a violent insurrection against Congress, you, me, and the vice president of the United States. This cannot be ignored. Impeach now, thank you, Madam Chair.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from New York continues to reserve.
The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve.
The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from California, Ms. Lee.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
B. LEE: Madam Speaker, on January 6th, Donald Trump incited his white nationalist supporters to initiate an attempted coup against the heart of our democracy, the United States Capitol. This heinous act of domestic terrorism demands that Congress act to remove this president.
Donald Trump has been and remains a threat to our national security and our democracy, and wholly unfit to serve as president. He and his supporters must be held accountable for inciting violence against the government of the United States. Congress must act immediately to remove this clear and present danger to our country.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired. B. LEE: It's time to impeach Donald Trump again.
(CROSSTALK)
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves.
The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentlelady from Georgia, Ms. Taylor Greene.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman is recognized for one minute.
M.T. GREENE: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I am against the impeachment effort by the Democrats. President Trump has held over 600 rallies in the last four years, none of them included assaulting police, destroying businesses or burning down cities.
Democrats have spent all this time endorsing and enabling violent riots that left billions in property damage and 47 dead across the United States. Democrats are on record supporting violence when it serves their cause, in their own words, on social media, on interviews and on fundraising platforms, ActBlue.
Democrats support defunding the police when it's someone else's city, someone else's home and someone else's business. Democrats will take away everyone's guns just as long as they have guards with guns. Democrats' impeachment of President Trump today has now set the standard that they should be removed for their support of violence against the American people.
(CROSSTALK)
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired.
M.T. GREENE: I yield back, thank you.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve.
The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Levin.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Michigan is recognized for 30 seconds.
A. LEVIN: Madam Speaker, for two months, Donald Trump used the biggest megaphone in the world to organize a campaign of outright lies to overturn a free and fair election.
On January 6th, he summoned and incited a mob of domestic terrorists to fight like hell and sent them to ransack this Capitol in order to prevent us from formalizing his election loss. It was a grotesque orgy of deadly white supremacism, anti-Semitism and strongman rule.
Today, we will do our duty and vote to remove the author of this horrifying chapter and banish him from public service.
(CROSSTALK)
A. LEVIN: I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York reserves.
The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Can I -- Madam Speaker, can I inquire on the time again?
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio has 20 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from New York has 21 and three-quarters minutes remaining.
JORDAN: We reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves.
The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from California, Mr. Levin.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
M. LEVIN: Madam Speaker, what each of us chooses to do today, whether we vote to hold this president to account or look the other way, will we be remembered by history, by our children and by their children. The facts are clear, the evidence of Trump's insurrection overwhelming.
History calls on us to do what's right rather than just politically expedient. Let us look back on this day with honor, not disgrace, knowing we are up to the oath we all took. Thank you. I yield back.
SPEAKER: the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve, the gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the Gentlelady from Virginia, Mrs. Luria.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Virginia is recognized for 30 seconds.
LURIA: Thank you. Madam Speaker, the perpetrators of this heinous democracy were Americans, encouraged and emboldened by President Trump because he could not accept the outcome of a free and fair election. His actions are seditious and the president has proven that he is not fit to serve. History will look back on this moment to see who stood strong in support of American democracy. As my colleagues have said we must come together, that our nation cannot begin to heal until there is accountability for the atrocity we witnessed last week.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired, the gentlewoman's time has expired.
LURIA: I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman...
NADLER: I reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Clyde.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Georgia, is it?
JORDAN: Yes, the gentleman from Georgia, one minute.
SPEAKER: For one minute is recognized.
CLYDE: Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the effort to impeach President Trump. This course of action will only increase dissent and disunity across our country and it flies in the face of all efforts to heal our nation. Quite simply, it is a shameful final act of political retribution, retribution this president has weathered since day one.
I have no doubt that those who breached the Capitol will have due process and their day in court. However, there will be no investigation in the people's House into whether the allegation against the president meets the criteria for a crime worthy of impeachment. No evidence was presented. No witness testified. No cross-examination was conducted. No due process was afforded and that sets an extremely dangerous precedence for the future.
If my democratic colleagues were serious in their efforts to get to the truth, they would convene the House Judiciary Committee and investigate, but they are not. And so I am proud to stand before you today to defend our president from the injustices my democratic colleagues are so giddy to pursue. I oppose this effort to impeach the president and ask all members of the House to do the same. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, i yield 30 seconds to the distinguished Gentlelady from Georgia, Mrs. McBath.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Georgia is recognized for 30 seconds. MCBATH: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise with a heavy heart for what our nation has endured. All those who've incited an attack on these halls of freedom must never forget that in every generation, Americans of all colors and creeds have laid down their lives in the struggles against tyranny to fight against Facism and the defense against those who would betray the values upon which this nation was founded.
It is our duty to shoulder that defense of our democracy here today. The president's actions have laid bare his contempt for our constitution and he must be removed.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to...
JORDAN: Well, we reserve.
SPEAKER: ...reserve. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from New York, Mr. Meeks.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York is recognized for 30 seconds.
MEEKS: The armed insurrectionists that stormed the Capitol did not emerge out of a vacuum. They were lied to by Republican Senators and Republican Congressmen and women. But they were incited to violence by one man above all else, Donald J. Trump who tried the ultimate -- to be the ultimate ruler of our democracy. The world is watching, our allies are watching and our adversaries are watching.
And we must show them that no one will rule this country will be -- and be above the law. The cameras of history are rolling. We must act, we must impeach Donald J. Trump to show the world that we will stand for right.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. i would yield one minute to the gentleman from Utah.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Utah is recognized for one minute.
[14:35:00]
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last Wednesday, on my third day, I realized that I can make hard and seemingly unpopular decisions, voting to strip Electoral College votes from states is a dangerous precedent. Set by Democrats many years ago, perpetrated by my party as well. I heard nothing in those debates that justified such a high bar.
A rushed impeachment will set a similar precedent, without a single hearing or investigation, I simply cannot reach the high bar of impeachment. To my district, I commit to constantly being objective in all of my decision making and as I abandon the remainder of my remarks, as I listen to this debate, it's no wonder our nation is divided.
We are on an absolute race to the bottom. And I was hoping that last week, we could have hit rock bottom. I commit to doing better and I hope that we can all dig in and find a way. Thank you.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back his time. The gentleman from Ohio reserves, the gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the gentlelady from Ohio, Mrs. Beatty.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from New York is recognized.
BEATTY: Thank you. Domestic terrorists attacked our democracy, urged on by a sitting president. These insurrectionists believe Donald Trump's lies about the stolen election, they obeyed his call to attack. They literally carried his banner while storming into the Capitol.
Last week's insurrection was shocking and tragic. It was a culmination of four years of assault on our democracy. We must impeach this president. And the congressional black caucus stands ready to join in a bipartisan message to the likes of Donald Trump.
SPEAKER: the gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves, the gentleman from New York.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the Gentlelady from Wisconsin, Ms. Moore.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Wisconsin is recognized for 30 seconds.
G. MOORE: Madam Speaker, the president radicalized American citizens and as his VICE president fled from a lynch mob, the speaker cowered, our people died, he watched with glee. That is why even though it's only seven days before the end of his term; we have the fierce urgency of now.
Seven days is too long for him to be power. He could declassify state secrets, he could monetize national secrets to foreign adversaries and he could even pardon the person that who killed our U.S. Capitol police officer.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentlewoman's time has expired, the gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the -- I would yield one minute to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Arrington.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Texas is recognized for one minute. ARRINGTON: Madam Speaker, I rise with great sorrow to oppose this second attempt at a baseless impeachment from my democrat colleagues. This week's attack on the U.S. Capitol was completely unacceptable and the people involved should be met with swift accountability. The president didn't incite a riot. The president didn't lead an insurrection and there are no high crimes of misdemeanors requisite of an impeachment.
I'm not saying the president didn't exercise poor judgment, but to criminalize political speech by blaming lawless acts on the president's rhetoric is wrong, Madam Speaker, and a very dangerous precedent. The criminals who stormed the capitol that day acted on their own volition.
They are responsible for their actions. This is an important moment, Madam Speaker, for our nation. We have the opportunity to come together and do what's right for our country. The votes are certified, President Trump has conceded, let's focus on the future and get back to the people's business. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio reserves.
JORDAN: Yes.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from Illinois, Ms. Newman.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Illinois is recognized for 30 seconds.
NEWMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's an honor to speak today. So today, I stand with this body to impeach this president. I agree with my Democratic colleagues. I also agree with my Republican colleagues. Let's unite, let's unite to address this pandemic and start by simply wearing a mask.
Let's unite to bring back the economy and start by putting $2,000 checks in people's pockets. And let's unite to hold these domestic terrorists accountable and impeach this president. Thank you Madam Speaker and I yield back.
[14:40:00]
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves. The gentlewoman -- man from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, could you -- how much time do I have, please?
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York has 18 and one-quarter minute and the gentleman from Ohio has 17 minutes remaining. NADLER: Thank you very much. I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Norcross.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New Jersey is recognized for 30 seconds.
NORCROSS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today, a time of historical concern. Last week, on this very House floor, an attack on democracy -- that symbol -- but it was an attack from within this very floor. Let's be clear -- cause and effect -- rally at the White House, march down Pennsylvania Avenue, a parade in reverse and an attack to this chamber.
A police officer was killed and what I hear is "time to heal." He's not even buried yet. It's clear and present danger. No one is above the law -- not the President. If he has four years or four days, we must do the right thing for all Americans because he must be held accountable. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentlelady from Indiana, Ms. Spartz.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Indiana is recognized for one minute.
SPARTZ: Madam Speaker, I appreciate a variety of opinions but any accusations must go through the proper due process, whether it's election fraud or an impeachable offense. And (ph) someone who did not support the objection to certification last week, I will not support this political charade today.
The rule of law and due process is vital to what our constitutional republic stands for. Congress should stop playing divisive politics and start working on delivering real, good policies for the American people. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio reserves his time. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from California, Mr. Panetta.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
PANETTA: A week ago was the culmination of carnage caused to our country by this President. Four years ago, he said he would stop such devastation. Instead, the President has continued to debase our democracy with assaults on our elections, an incitement at The Ellipse and the battery at our Capitol.
American exceptionalism is not guaranteed. We must always work to grow it, and that includes our work today to hold President Trump accountable. American carnage started with this President. A vote for impeachment will stop it for our posterity. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: We reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves. The gentleman from New York?
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. Pocan.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Wisconsin is recognized for 30 seconds.
POCAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman. The U.S. Capitol has not been breached for over 200 years, since the War of 1812 -- that is until last week, when it wasn't another country that attacked us but our own President.
President Donald Trump asked his supporters to march on the Capitol, inciting domestic terrorism that cost five lives, including a Capitol Police officer. And we all know whether you say it aloud or not, Donald Trump is responsible for inciting the attacks in our democracy that he should've been the one person protecting it the most. And for that, he is unfit to be President and we must impeach him.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time's expired. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, I yield 90 seconds to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Roy.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Texas is yielded 90 seconds.
ROY: I thank the gentleman from Ohio. The President of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly, in my opinion, impeachable conduct, pressuring the Vice President to violate his oath of the Constitution to count the electors.
His open and public pressure, courageously rejected by the Vice President, purposely seeded the false belief among the President's supporters, including those assembled on January 6th, that there was a legal path to the President.
It was foreseeable and reckless to sow such a false belief that could lead to violence and rioting by loyal supporters whipped into a frenzy.
[14:45:00]
Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues drafted articles that I believe are flawed and unsupportable, focusing on the legal terms of incitement and insurrection, even noting impeachment does not require meeting a certain legal standard, that danger for open speech and debate in this body and for the republic is high.
If the House approves the articles as written, the language will be used to target members of this body under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, it will be used to suggest that any statements we make are subject to review by our colleagues and to send us down the perilous path of cleansing political speech in the public square.
We must end this. Let us condemn that which must be condemned and do so loudly but let us do it the right way, with deliberation and without disastrous side effects. We must end tearing apart our nation by social media and soundbites. Let us stop, let us debate, let us sit down and lead this nation together. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio reserves. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from New York, Ms. Maloney.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from New York is recognized for 30 seconds.
MALONEY: Madam Speaker, this vote is not about one man, one party or even one day, it's about protecting our nation, preserving democracy and the rule of law. The facts are clear and undisputed -- President Trump used a litany of lies about a stolen election and willfully incited an armed insurrection with the intent of stopping the peaceful transfer of power. He attacked not just the Capitol, not just Congress, he even attacked democracy itself. That's why he must be impeached and I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time is expired. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Price.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized for 30 seconds.
PRICE: Madam Chairman, the President has engaged in conduct that is criminal, impeachable and profoundly threatening to our democracy. He pressed state officials and members of this body to overturn a legitimate election and to keep him in power. He then invited and activated a violent mob to invade the Capitol and achieve his desired result by insurrection.
If that is not impeachable conduct, I don't know what is. The President must be removed from office immediately and never allowed to hold office again. Our democracy requires it (ph).
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio?
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Fallon.
FALLON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. SPEAKER: The gentleman's recognized for one minute.
FALLON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last summer, the Antifa and BLM riots swept all over our country. Cities were burnt, businesses destroyed and lives violently stolen. And it wasn't just for an afternoon, like those horrible hours we had on January 6th, but rather they went on for weeks, and in some cases, even months.
So if there's any silver lining in this dark cloud, it's that our friends from across the aisle have come to realize that riots are bad. We conservatives have known this all along. This snap impeachment is a sham and it didn't go through the Judiciary Committee and it's not even about the President's actual words but it's about how our Democratic colleagues want to interpret his words and fashion a particular meaning to them.
Now, this is just political grandstanding at its worst. The American people desperately want us to move on and tackle the issues and find solutions to them forthwith. Madam Speaker, let's end this obsession and charade and let's get to work. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve? The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve?
JORDAN: Yeah, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Quigley.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 30 seconds.
QUIGLEY: Madam Speaker, now we hear talk of the President's notion of a peaceful transfer of power, which apparently means what? Minimal casualties? Now we hear talk of healing after the criminal acts are completed. Never as a criminal defense attorney did I say "Judge, yeah, my guy completed the armed robbery but let's heal now." No, there was accountability -- there was accountability then, there should be accountability now and there should be impeachment now. Thank you and I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Reserve, Madam Speaker.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from North Carolina, a new member of the committee, Ms. Ross.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from North Carolina is recognized for 30 seconds. [14:50:00]
ROSS: Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the article of impeachment. The president's responsibility for the violence and insurrection that occurred last Wednesday cannot go unanswered. The president has had multiple opportunities to modify his behavior to bring this country together.
Instead, he uses his power to further divide us. He is unrepentant. Congress must act for the good of this country. Madam speaker, I yield back my time.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
Jordan: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Good.
SPEAKER: The Gentleman from Virginia is recognized for one minute.
GOOD: Thank you, I stand today in support of President Trump and against this sham impeachment proceeding with literally one week, seven days, remaining in his term. This is merely the culmination of a four-year effort to overturn the will of the people and the results of the 2016 election.
This is simply a political action, intended to tarnish the legacy of a highly successful president who led us to an incredible economy, energy independence, reduction of taxes for millions, regulatory relief for businesses, renewed peace in the Middle East and stronger border security.
This action will only serve to further offend the 75 million people who voted for President Trump and further deepen the division within our nation as we try to move forward with a peaceful transition of power. However, the Democrat majority has determined he's already guilty and there's no need of a trial and, therefore, move forward quickly with this phony impeachment charge.
Today, I am joining my Republican colleagues and standing against this further effort to divide our nation. Thank you, and I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve, the gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Texas, Mr. Cuellar.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 30 seconds.
CUELLAR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise in support of the impeachment. It's very simple. What we saw on January 6th was a person, the President of the United States, inciting a crowd to come and attack their crowd -- the Capitol. We have to make sure that we stand up for democracy. If we don't do this, then what are we going to stand for? We stand for democracy. We stand for American values. And I stand for the impeachment of Donald Trump. I yield back the balance of my time.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve, the gentleman from New York.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished Gentlelady from Pennsylvania, Ms. Scanlon.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Pennsylvania is recognized for 30 seconds.
SCANLON: On January 6th, President Trump launched an attack against the United States Capitol. I, too, urge my colleagues to unite, but to unite in love of country and to hold this president accountable. What unites our country is respect for the rule of law.
Without accountability for those that would shatter the rule of law by overturning a presidential election, we cannot take seriously the cries of being a united people. This president remains a serious threat to our country and must be held accountable.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: We reserve. Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: And he chooses to reserve. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Scott.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 30 seconds.
SCOTT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, let me make everybody aware that on those just sun-bleached bones of history, of many great nations are written those pathetic words -- too late. They moved too late to save their great nations. Let us not this day move too late to save our great nation.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York continues to -- wishes to reserve. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would yield one minute to the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Norman.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from South Carolina is recognized for one minute. NORMAN: Speaker, I rise today for two reasons. One, to voice my strong opposition for the impeachment of this president with seven days left. I also want to voice my support for the strong police department, many of you want to defund. Where was your cries to defund when you were leaving this office, this very room last -- on the 6th? High (ph)of Hypocrisy. I yield back.
SPEAKER: Members are kindly reminded to remind yourself to address your remarks to the chair. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve?
[14:55:00]
JORDAN: We do, Madam Speaker.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from California, Mr. Sherman.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
SHERMAN: Ironic, an administration begins by building an unnecessary wall on our southern border. It ends by making necessary a new wall around this Capitol. I introduced articles of impeachment in July of 2017 with one co-sponsor, Al Green, and, again, in January of 2019.
And on Monday night, I joined with so many of us in introducing these articles. I've introduced articles of impeachment in the 115th, 116th, and 117th Congress because Donald Trump has continuously posed a danger to this republic.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York wishes to reserve. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, I would yield one minute to the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Mast.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Florida is recognized for one minute.
MAST: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise with a very simple question. On January 6th, thousands broke the law by taking siege of our Capitol here with us inside. Has any one of those individuals who brought violence on this capitol been brought here to answer whether they did that because of our president? It appears I will receive no answer. I will yield my time back to the gentleman from Ohio.
SPEAKER: The gentleman yields back. The gentleman from Ohio wishes to reserve his time. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: I now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Stanton.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 30 seconds.
STANTON: Donald Trump is the first president in the history of this republic to incite an insurrection against our own government, against our own people. It is a shocking betrayal of his oath of office and our American values. We don't know yet if the president will face criminal charges, but we do know he must be held to account.
Each one of us in this House took an oath to protect and defend our constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, even if that enemy is the president. We must move forward as a nation from these darkest days, but we can't move forward without accountability. We must impeach this president. I yield back.
SPEAKER: The gentleman's time has expired. The gentleman from New York reserves and the gentleman from Ohio is recognized.
JORDAN: Madam Chair, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, i now yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentlelady from Michigan, Ms. Stevens.
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman from Michigan is recognized for 30 seconds.
STEVENS: Insurrection, a violent mob, a week ago today, five people were killed, many injured, and everyone in this building forced to hide for their very life. The president was called for help, but he did not answer our call while our government was being taken over.
He failed to lead, and, therefore, proved himself incapable of doing so. Some may say impeachment is political. Some may cry it is divisive. But Madam Speaker, our obligation to our constitution is inexpensive (ph).
SPEAKER: The gentlewoman's time has expired -- the time's expired. The gentleman from New York reserves, the gentleman from Ohio.
JORDAN: Madam Speaker, we reserve.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from Ohio reserves. The gentleman from New York is recognized.
NADLER: Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California, Mr. Takano.
SPEAKER: The gentleman from California is recognized for 30 seconds.
TAKANO: Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The gravity of the moment demands it and the fate of our republic depends on it. He committed an impeachable offense by inciting a violent and deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
For this, Congress must hold him accountable to preserve our democracy, our Constitution, and the rule of law. He should serve not one minute more and be barred forever from public office. He is toxic to our republic and toxic to our democracy. I yield back. [15:00:00]
