Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on impeachment inquiry vote

Statement

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution as part of the chamber's ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Donald J. Trump:

"Opening an impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States should always be a tool of last resort, but sadly this is a necessary step to uphold and defend our Constitution. No Member of Congress was elected to begin impeachment proceedings. But I took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution, and I believe that we must proceed in uncovering the extent to which this President has abused his power and betrayed his oath of office.

"The President of the United States, by his own admission, used his office to try and pressure a foreign government into investigating a political opponent. In doing so, the President endangered our national security by withholding critical military assistance for his own personal gain. Over the last several weeks, senior White House officials, career foreign service officers and national security officials have all presented evidence of this President's abuse of power.

"The House will proceed with the seriousness that this moment in history demands. We will conduct a thorough and public investigation to follow the facts and uncover the extent to which the President's actions have threatened our national security."

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