Statement on Impeachment of Cheney/Gonzales
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has signed on as a co-sponsor of:
H. Res. 333: That Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and
H. Res. 589: Directing the Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States, should be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Congresswoman Baldwin's statement:
"My decisions to sign on to legislation calling for the impeachment of Vice President Cheney and for an investigation into whether Attorney General Gonzales should be impeached were not taken lightly and were based upon careful consideration. But we have reached the point where evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors by these highest ranking officials cannot be ignored or condoned through inaction. A recent, well-sourced, series of investigative reports by the Washington Post identifies the Vice-President's willful and repeated disregard for the rule of law, international treaties, environmental protections, and the common good. The most recent sworn statements, of Attorney General Gonzales before the Senate Judiciary Committee, more than likely perjured, combined with his past sworn statements and actions, are ample evidence that he is unfit to serve and possibly guilty of criminal behavior.
The framers of our Constitution called for impeachment only in the case of high crimes and misdemeanors. The standard is purposely high because we should not impeach for personal or political gain, but to uphold and safeguard our democracy. Sadly, this Vice President and this Attorney General have met the standard and it is the duty of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the American people, to hold them accountable."