The first public hearings in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump began last week. Since no Michigan representatives sit on the House Intelligence Committee, which held the hearings, we collected their statements on the inquiry.
You can read them below. Michigan Radio did not receive statements from Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-2nd District), Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-8th District), or Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-14th District) by the requested deadline.
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-1st District)
"I was sent to Washington to work on important issues like Veteran suicide prevention, fixing the guest worker visa program, passing the USMCA, expanding broadband access in rural America, and getting the federal government off the backs and out of the business of First District constituents. However, this impeachment farce has spread into nearly every aspect of Congress, stalling much of the actual bipartisan work that we were sent here to do.
"While I do not sit on a committee of jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that these efforts are nothing short of a politically motivated scam, to bring down the duly-elected President of the United States. This entire process has lacked the integrity that the American people deserve from their elected officials. I sincerely hope that the 116th Congress can get back to doing the people’s business soon."
Rep. Justin Amash (R-3rd District)
Rep. Amash's team directed us to statements made via his Twitter feed.
Impeachment in the House is an indictment. If this were an ordinary prosecution, there’s no grand jury in America that would not return an indictment on the facts and evidence presented in these hearings.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) November 20, 2019
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-4th District)
Rep. Moolenaar's team directed us to an Oct. 31 statement.
“I have heard from thousands of my constituents and the majority of them oppose the Democrats’ efforts to remove the president elected with strong support in this district. They want to see people in Washington working together to find common ground on the issues facing our country.
“Unfortunately, it has been ten months since Democrats took over the House and in that time they have failed to have votes on major bipartisan legislation addressing the concerns of hardworking Michigan residents including the new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that will help Michigan farmers and manufacturing. Everyone knows Michigan needs trading relationships with our neighbors, and that’s why the House needs to vote on the USMCA trade agreement and support the strong economy we have right now. Democrats are focused on pursuing impeachment and they are losing sight of a vital deal that will help Michigan’s economy.”
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-5th District)
“Opening an impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States should always be a tool of last resort, but sadly this is a necessary step to uphold and defend our Constitution. No Member of Congress was elected to begin impeachment proceedings. But I took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution, and I believe that we must continue to investigate and uncover the extent to which this President has abused his power and betrayed his oath of office. The President of the United States, by his own admission, used his office to try and pressure a foreign government into investigating a political opponent. In doing so, the President endangered our national security by withholding critical military assistance for his own personal gain. During the course of the public hearings, senior White House officials, career foreign service officers and national security officials have all presented evidence of this President’s abuse of power. The House will proceed with the seriousness that this moment in history demands. We will conduct a thorough and public investigation to follow the facts and uncover the extent to which the President’s actions have threatened our national security.”
Rep. Fred Upton (R-6th District)
"These impeachment hearings are incredibly serious. I am glad that – finally – they are being held in public. As I have been saying, I think sunlight is the best disinfectant. I remain committed to pursuing the truth and the facts and getting them all out in the open for my constituents and the American people so everyone can make informed conclusions for themselves.
"However, as I do not sit on any of the committees that are holding these hearings, I am not letting them stop me from working on the other issues that matter most to the folks of the Sixth District, like making sure our government is funded, securing a pay raise for our troops, taking care of our veterans, lowering prescription drug costs, and finalizing a bipartisan deal on pipeline safety."
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-7th District)
Rep. Walberg's team directed us to statements made via his Twitter feed.
What policies have been left behind during Democrats’ quest for impeachment?
— Rep Tim Walberg (@RepWalberg) November 13, 2019
❌ Lowering prescription drug prices
❌ Passing stronger trade deals
❌ Supporting our troops
❌ Securing the border
Let’s focus on moving America forward, not trying to overturn the 2016 election.
Rep. Andy Levin (D-9th District)
Stateside producer Laura Weber-Davis interviewed Rep. Levin on Nov. 21.
"This is about our Constitution. This is about whether a president tried to bribe the president of another country - a new president, a vulnerable president. So I am hopeful that people will take this incredibly momentous vote seriously for what it is, which is whether anybody is above the law, whether we will hold a president accountable. They have to realize this vote isn't just really about Donald Trump. It's about the future of the entire country, and what behavior is acceptable in a president. So I don't know what they'll do. All I know is, regardless of what political effect it has on me personally or on my party or another party, I know what I have to do, which is uphold the Constitution of the United States. And I'm just going to have to have faith that everybody is going to take that approach."
Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-10th District)
Rep. Mitchell's team directed us to this video statement.
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-11th District)
“I came to Congress to fix health care and bring jobs to Michigan, not to investigate the President. But I can’t ignore the witnesses, many of whom have devoted their career to serving our country with honor and integrity, who have shed light on President bribing the President of Ukraine. At the same time, I have been working hard to deliver for the American people, including passing bipartisan legislation to strengthen our manufacturing economy, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and lower the cost of prescription drugs.”
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District)
“As a Member of Congress, each and every one of us took an oath to protect our Constitution and to protect our national security. The whistleblower and numerous witnesses with first-hand accounts have raised very serious allegations of bribery and threats to national security. As we continue to follow the facts, let’s be clear: putting personal political interests over national security interests is deeply concerning. No one is above the rule of law.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-13th District)
“We’ve heard from credible, career public servants over the past couple of weeks that confirm the President of the United States abused his power and committed very serious impeachable offenses that not only jeopardize our national security, but equally, the fate of our democracy. This President continues to act as if he is above the law. It is my hope that my colleagues do what is right and focus on their duty to country, not party."
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