Washington, DC —
The unusual move comes amid efforts by a bipartisan US Senate group to reach a major deal promising to change immigration laws with votes in favor of adding aid to Ukraine and Israel in exchange.
This submission was made while the impeachment process against United States President Joe Biden was underway. Republican DPR members proposed impeachment against Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday (10/1).
According to Mark Green, a member of Congress from the Republican Party who is also Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee of the United States House of Representatives, Mayorkas’ impeachment was based on the findings of his internal investigation.
“Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly lied to the American people and to the United States Congress. “The results of our investigation found more than 100 examples of cases of public deception by Minister Mayorkas,” said Green.
The unusual move to impeach an administrative official drew criticism from the opposition Democratic Party. Democratic Party members of Congress stated that Mayorkas could not be removed from office just for carrying out his duties, which is none other than implementing public policy.
Bennie Thompson, a top Democratic Congressman who is also a member of the House Homeland Security Committee expressed his objections.
“This impeachment is illegitimate. The Republican Party only wants to throw red meat to its supporters to gain political votes and keep campaign funds. “They know that they are losing their very narrow majority,” said Bennie.
Previously, Mayorkas had defended his actions. He said that the level of immigration on the border of the United States and Mexico was a situation unprecedented in any Western country.
“Now we need Congress to step up and do its part. “Our immigration system is outdated and broken, and has been reforming for decades,” Mayorkas said.
A bipartisan United States Senate group has been negotiating for weeks to pass changes to America’s immigration system as part of the White House’s request for increased national security funding, which includes adding $60 billion, or around 930 trillion rupiah, for aid to Ukraine.
Senate Republicans also said they would not agree to further aid if the United States could not ensure the security of its own borders. Marsha Blackburn, a member of the Senate from the Republican Party, emphasized this.
“Why can’t they find a way to secure the border in the south? “Now Secretary Mayorkas is standing before you and saying the border is secure, even though we know that’s not true,” Blackburn said.
Mitch McConnell, the top Senate Republican, has the same opinion and called the current situation at the border “a crisis.” He also urged every public official to continue working to overcome international security threats.
“Our country is facing the most serious set of national security threats since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the Senate’s responsibility to address them has not been fulfilled,” McConnell said.
According to the Pentagon, the United States sent the last agreed financial aid to Ukraine at the end of December. Meanwhile, aid to Israel and funding to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific amounting to 14 billion US dollars, or around 200 trillion rupiah, is still on hold until a previous agreement has been reached.
“Approving this additional aid would be a signal to the world that America is here to stay,” said Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader.
It is unlikely that Schumer will try Mayorkas in the Senate, which is majority controlled by the Democratic party, if the House, which is majority controlled by the Republican party, passes articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. (ti/lt)