In a tight vote on Tuesday, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a key official in President Joe Biden’s administration. The accusations revolve around alleged lenient policies contributing to increased illegal immigration.
Vote breakdown: 214-213
By a narrow margin of 214-213, the House approved two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. Republicans assert that his failure to enforce immigration laws directly led to a surge in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border. Additionally, they accuse Mayorkas of providing false statements to Congress.
Joe Biden – Legislative setback for speaker Mike Johnson
Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson faced a legislative defeat as a similar vote failed. However, this week saw the return of Republican Representative Steve Scalise, who was absent due to cancer treatment during the previous vote. Scalise’s presence provided a crucial vote in this round.
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Senate hurdle for impeachment
Despite the House’s decision, the Democratic-majority Senate is unlikely to follow suit and vote for Mayorkas’s removal. This discrepancy in party alignment between the two chambers poses a significant obstacle to the impeachment process.
Joe Biden – Record numbers of illegal crossings
The impeachment proceedings come against the backdrop of a record number of migrants illegally crossing the US-Mexico border since President Biden assumed office in 2021. This issue has become a focal point in the ongoing political battle between Biden and former President Donald Trump.
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