Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.-1st, was one of four Republican members of Congress who did not vote Wednesday as the House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump for a second time.
With Wednesday’s historic 232-197 vote, Trump became the first president ever to be impeached twice by the House. Unlike Trump’s first impeachment, 10 House Republicans voted Wednesday with Democrats to send an article of impeachment to the U.S. Senate for a trial.
Harris, an anesthesiologist, said in a Wednesday tweet that he was in the operating room caring for patients, but would have voted against impeaching Trump.
Harris tweeted:
“Today, I spent my time caring for patients in our district during this pandemic. The Speaker’s divisive, hastily called, and politically motivated snap impeachment is a waste of time when we will swear in President-elect Biden in fewer than seven days’ time.
“In light of his calls for unity and healing, I call on the President-elect to disavow this action. Engaging in a political impeachment that will be moot in one week was another waste of time brought to you by the Democrat majority.
“While I certainly would have voted against impeachment, and the Congressional Record will reflect that, my constituents were better served by my work in the operating room today than by taking part in this pointless exercise.”
A number of Maryland lawmakers apparently feel the First District and the state would be better served if Harris is out of office entirely.
On Monday, 71 of 141 state delegates and 13 of 47 state senators signed a letter calling on Harris to resign for his support of objections to the electoral college results in Arizona and Pennsylvania and his lack of decorum on the House floor after a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol and killed a police officer.
Although Harris, in his tweet, argues impeaching Trump “will be moot” by Jan. 20 when Joe Biden is sworn in as president, many legal and constitutional experts note that a conviction in the U.S. Senate could carry consequences beyond removal from office.
If Trump is convicted, the Senate also could hold a separate vote to make Trump ineligible for holding any federal office in the future, which would put an end to his apparent plan to run again for president in 2024.
For the Senate to convict someone in an impeachment requires a tw0-thirds supermajority vote and the Senate previously has ruled that removal from office is automatic upon conviction and does not require a separate vote.
The Senate also has determined that disqualifying a person convicted in an impeachment proceeding is a separate vote that may be decided by a simple majority.
JT Smith says
Assuming Dr. Harris performs with greater competence in his medical endeavors, I suggest he stick to his vocation full time and allow someone of of real political dedication and generosity of spirit to take his woeful place in Congress.
Frank says
Right on!
Rev Julie Hart says
Dear Mr. Harris,
If serving your country by representing The People of the First District is “a waste of time” and “a pointless exercise” then please do us all a favor, RESIGN. Whether Democrat or Republican we need someone who takes representation seriously. You failed us miserably and not for the first time. Kindly RESIGN.
Rev. Julie Hart
Keith says
Harris is a TRAITOROUS Confederate sympathizer who needs to go with AGENT orange and take his talbot boys statue and Pugh noose building with him.After storming The Capitol so many types of spirits and energies “should”…NO LONGER BE WELCOME..RAISE YOUR FREQUENCY.
Rita E Connolly says
The president should and can be impeached even after his term is up. If impeached he loses his presidential benefits and it shows the world we will no longer allow such horrific behavior.
Also, any and all people who are arrested and prosecuted for their involvement in the attack on the capital should be prosecuted to the fullest of the law and voting rights taken away.