Chavez-DeRemer, Bentz issue statements on their vote for Mayorkas impeachment
(Update: Adding Rep. Bentz statement)
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., released the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives voted by a narrow one-vote margin late Tuesday to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
First, Chavez-DeRemer:
“We have laws on the books that would immediately curb the humanitarian crisis at our southern border, but Secretary Mayorkas and the executive branch have refused to do their job and enforce them. As a result, there have been at least 1.5 million migrants who’ve successfully evaded law enforcement under Mayorkas’ watch.
"This past fiscal year, 169 individuals on the terrorist watch list were apprehended trying to cross the border – the most on record. Over 26,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized, which is enough to kill nearly six billion people. That massive number only represents around 5 to 10 percent of illegal drugs that are smuggled across the border. It’s no coincidence that our governor has declared a state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis – every state is now a border state.
“Secretary Mayorkas’ extreme dereliction of duty has put the lives of both migrants and American citizens at risk. He has failed to uphold his oath to defend the Constitution and has lost the confidence of the American people. I recognize impeachment is a serious and significant action under our Constitution, and I carefully considered all of the facts before reaching a decision.
"In this case, the evidence presented by the Homeland Security Committee made it clear that impeachable offenses were committed. The American people deserve a change in leadership at DHS,” Chavez-DeRemer said.
Read the full text of the impeachment articles HERE.
Last year, Chavez-DeRemer met with local leaders and law enforcement at the southern border and outlined the impact of the border crisis on the 5th District.
Following these meetings, she immediately took steps to deter fentanyl trafficking and protect law enforcement.
More recently, Chavez-DeRemer has helped introduce a bipartisan and bicameral effort to address the immigration court backlog and strengthen due process rights for unaccompanied migrant children.
Additionally, she is an original cosponsor of the Dignity Act, which would strengthen border security and make much-needed reforms to the immigration system.
Bentz provided the following statement Wednesday:
“The impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Congressional resolution for which passed on Tuesday, February 13th, is a direct result of his willful refusal to comply with our nation’s border enforcement laws and of his obstruction of Congress’s oversight functions. The impeachment proceeding now moves to the Senate which is responsible for the trial of the now impeached Secretary. I voted for impeachment because I believe the Secretary did obstruct Congress, and that he did willfully refuse to comply with immigration law.”
