 |
| Reuters |
As indicated in the House's agenda released this Monday, Republicans will make a second attempt to bring charges against the head of immigration in President Joe Biden's administration.
More: Jeff Bezos sells nearly 12 million shares of Amazon valued at more than $2 billion
In the first attempt last Tuesday, the majority party in the House failed to garner sufficient support for the impeachment, with 214 votes in favor and 216 against—all Democrats plus four Republicans.
The charges Republicans seek to bring against Mayorkas, also called "articles of impeachment," include "violation of public trust" and "systematic and deliberate refusal to comply with the law" by not handling the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border properly.
If successful, it will be the first time in nearly 150 years that the House impeaches a government secretary. The only previous occurrence was in 1876 when then-Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached but later acquitted by the Senate.
If approved in the House, Mayorkas would face an impeachment trial in the Senate, where he could be removed if two-thirds of that chamber decide, an unlikely scenario considering Democrats hold the majority.
More: U.S. Senate advances discussion on economic aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
On Sunday, Mayorkas told NBC's "Meet the Press" with host Kristen Welker that the accusations are "baseless."
"They really do not distract me. I am focused on the work of the Department of Homeland Security," added the official.