Rep. Carson Statement on First Open Impeachment Hearing

Statement

Congressman André Carson, a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released this statement after the conclusion of the first open hearing of the House of Representatives' impeachment inquiry.

"I commend Ambassadors Taylor and Kent for coming forward today to tell their stories directly to the American people. The testimony from these two men further confirmed and corroborated what we've been hearing for several weeks now, first through the report from the anonymous whistleblower, and then through depositions with a variety of first-hand witnesses: That this President abused his power and compromised our national security in a scheme designed to force the Ukrainian government to investigate a political rival.

"Through the hearing, it became even clearer how the President and his associates used a White House meeting and hundreds of millions in U.S aid as a bargaining chip for Ukraine, putting our ally in a terrible position. And we learned new, deeply troubling details, like when Ambassador Taylor recounted a phone call in which President Trump asked Ambassador Sondland about the status of the investigation into Joe Biden.

"I look forward to our open hearing Friday, as well as our hearings next week, and expect we will get even more information that aids in our search for the truth. But one thing should already be obvious to all: Americans should decide the outcome of our elections. Urging a foreign government to investigate a presidential candidate takes that power away from the American people and weakens our democracy. We absolutely cannot tolerate this attack on our principles. That is what this inquiry is all about."

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