SPOKANE — Congressman Derek Kilmer is among the six Washington state Democrats who plan to vote in favor of both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
The 10 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington state are mostly splitting along party lines when it comes to the vote planned for today, The Associated Press said.
Six Democrats in the delegation told The Associated Press they plan to vote yes on both articles of impeachment. The seventh Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith — who represents the 9th Congressional District, said he is undecided.
All three House Republicans from Washington state said they will vote no on the articles of impeachment.
“It matters to me that all elected officials are held accountable to the public,” said Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, in a prepared statement. Kilmer represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
“It should never be acceptable for a sitting president — or any elected official — to abuse their position of power to achieve their political aims. This is a value that extends beyond party politics and is critical to our adherence to the rule of law and the integrity of our democracy.”
Also planning to vote in favor of the articles of impeachment are Suzan DelBene, 1st District; Rick Larsen, 2nd District; Pramila Jayapal, 7th District; Kim Schrier, 8th District; and Dennis Heck, 10th District — all Democrats.
Republicans planning to vote against them are Jaime Herrera Beutler, 3rd District; Dan Newhouse, 4th District; and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, 5th District.
Kilmer said the issue “cannot be and should not be about politics — now or in the future — nor should it be about re-litigating the 2016 election.
“Rather, the focus must be on whether the president abused his office and obstructed Congress in its investigation to evaluate that abuse.
“Having reviewed the evidence laid out in the impeachment inquiry and having evaluated these various assessments, I intend to support the articles of impeachment put before the House.”
The questionable conduct is specifically focused on a president’s effort to manipulate the 2020 election, Kilmer said.
“In addition, our national security is impacted when any president uses their office to ask a foreign government for political help. In fact, the letter from national security experts states that the President’s actions should be considered a ‘profound national security concern,’ ” Kilmer said.
