House Resolution 333 (also abbreviated as H Res 333) is a resolution submitted to the House of Representatives on April 24, 2007 by Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) during the 110th United States Congress that, if passed, would impeach Vice President Dick Cheney on three charges. If the House approves an article of impeachment, it then moves to the Senate, which has constitutional authority to try, and with a two-thirds vote, remove a person from office.
After six months without a debate or vote on H Res 333 (either in a committee or on the floor of the House), Kucinich re-introduced its identical content as a new resolution, H Res 799, on November 6, 2007. Like H Res 333, the new resolution was also referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Summary
The resolution charges that Vice President Cheney:
- has purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States by fabricating a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, as well as
- fabricating a threat about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda, in order to justify the use of the U.S. Armed Forces against Iraq in a manner damaging to U.S. national security interests; and
- in violation of his constitutional oath and duty, has openly threatened aggression against Iran absent any real threat to the United States, and has done so with the proven U.S. capability to carry out such threats, thus undermining U.S. national security. [1][2]
The resolution was authored and submitted by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a representative of Ohio who is also a presidential candidate in the 2008 election. Congressman Kucinich has made available more than 45 documents supporting the articles of impeachment at his Congressional website, including at least 15 for each article. [3]
Current co-sponsors
Rep. Kucinich is the prime sponsor of the resolution, but the resolution also has twenty-two additional co-sponsors (in alphabetical order):
Current status
The resolution has been referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, chaired by Congressman Jerrold Nadler.
Neither the subcommittee nor the full Judiciary Committee, chaired by Congressman John Conyers, has yet scheduled a hearing on the resolution.
The Judiciary Committee or Speaker Pelosi would have to act favorably on the resolution for it to receive consideration in the House. However, the exact same text of the resolution could be offered on the floor of the House as a "Question of the Privileges of the House" without the approval of the Committee or Speaker Pelosi, as Representative Kucinich did on 6 November. (The new resolution, H Res 799, was referred by the House to the Judiciary Committee that same day.)
Timeline
Background
During the campaign for the 2006 midterm election, when asked in a 60 Minutes interview about the possibility of multiple investigations and an impeachment President George W. Bush, Pelosi said, "No, impeachment is off the table." When asked, "And that's a pledge?" Speaker Pelosi said:
Well, it's a pledge in the — yes, I mean, it's a pledge. Of course it is. It is a waste of time. Wouldn't they just love it, if we came in and our record as Democrats coming forth in 12 years, is to talk about George Bush and Dick Cheney? This election is about them. This is a referendum on them. Making them lame ducks is good enough for me.[4]
No statement specifically addressing the impeachment of Vice President Cheney is quoted.[4] However, this statement has been widely inferred to mean that Pelosi opposes impeachment of either the President or the Vice President.
Introduction of resolution
The resolution was introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich on April 24, 2007. During his press conference announcing the resolution, Kucinich stated that he had not informed his party's leadership of the resolution and had not recently spoken about the resolution with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi or Congressman John Conyers, the Chairman of the committee to which his resolution was referred.[5]
On CNN's The Situation Room, Kucinich stated, "I'm not promoting [the resolution]... Members of Congress will have to search their own conscience, take counsel with their constituents, and make the decision independently." [6]
In an interview with The Raw Story on the day of H.Res. 333's introduction, Pelosi is reported to have said that impeachment proceedings against President George W. Bush would be a distraction from passing Democratic policies. [5] No statement specifically addressing the impeachment of Vice President Cheney is quoted.[5]
Referral to Committee
Upon introduction, this resolution—like almost all bills and resolutions—was automatically referred to a Committee. In this case, Resolution 333 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Congressman John Conyers.
Response of Democratic presidential candidates
When asked for a show of hands by those in favor of Kucinich's plan to impeach the Vice President, none of the other Democratic presidential candidates indicated support.[7]
First two co-sponsors
Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. signed on as a co-sponsor to the Resolution on May 1, 2007, supporting his decision by stating: "I believe that Mr. Cheney deliberately manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the Congress of the United States and the American people. The arrogant abuse of power and the complete disregard for the truth needs to stop." [8]
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky signed on as a co-sponsor the same day, but did not issue an immediate statement regarding her decision. [9]
Referral to Subcommittee
The resolution was referred to the Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties on May 4, 2007. Unlike the initial referral to the Judiciary Committee, this step in the legislative process was not automatic.
Reports of the referral did not surface until late June 2007.
Third through tenth co-sponsors
On May 10, 2007, Congressman Albert Wynn also signed on as a co-sponsor, indicating that he believes Cheney is "the architect of the Administration's deception about the war" and that the Vice President "should be held accountable for purposely misleading the American people."[10]
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke became a co-sponsor on June 6, 2007, stating: "When the American people voted on November 7th, they asked for a change in direction by electing the Democratic party in the House and Senate. I have heard the loud cries of my constituents, and they want accountability. My support of HRes 333 reflects the voices of the residents of central Brooklyn."[11]
Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee both signed on as co-sponsors on June 7, 2007.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters signed on as a co-sponsor on June 12, 2007.[12] Maxine Waters is a member of the House Judiciary Committee to which the resolution has been referred.
Congressmen Keith Ellison and Hank Johnson joined the list of sponsors on June 28, 2007. They are the second and third members of the House Judiciary Committee to endorse the resolution. Johnson later explained his decision, saying: "I wanted to send a clear and distinct message that I’m sick and tired of the incompetence, arrogance, secrecy and lawlessness in the Executive Branch and I think it’s appropriate for me to direct my ire to Cheney through the impeachment resolution."[13]
Also on June 28, Congressman Jim McDermott made remarks confirming his intention to join the effort, stating: "I have seen the Vice President repeatedly drive our nation into increasingly dire situations, in Iraq, in Iran, and within our own country as he tramples over the Constitution like it is a doormat... the Vice President holds himself above the law. And, it is time for the Congress to enforce the law. I believe the evidence is overwhelming and articles of impeachment against the Vice President should be drawn up."[14]
Activist pressure
July 4 saw the first public assembly organized by citizens specifically requesting that their elected representative co-sponsor H Res 333. The targeted official was Tammy Baldwin, representative for Wisconsin's 2nd district.[15] She later became a co-sponsor of the resolution.
The Los Angeles National Impeachment Center was also founded on July 4; this date having been chosen because it is Independence Day in the United States.[16] The Center quickly began promoting H Res 333 on its website.
On July 6, Robert Greenwald released a 3 1/2 minute video to raise public awareness of H Res 333.[17] The video features several direct quotes from the resolution.[18]
On July 9, a group of activists affiliated with World Can't Wait attempted to meet Jerrold Nadler to pressure him to move H Res 333 forward. Nadler refused to meet with them.[19]
Eleventh through eighteenth co-sponsors
McDermott's co-sponsorship became official on July 10. That same day, Congressman James Moran added his name to the resolution.[20] A spokesman stated that Moran "feels that the vice president has repeatedly misled the American public on Iraq and deserves to be impeached," and that Cheney's "peddling of non-existent [weapons of mass destruction] and fabricated ties with al-Qaida have led us into a disastrous war whose full costs won't be fully realized for generations."[21]
Congressman Bob Filner's name was added to the THOMAS list of co-sponsors on July 12. Filner had already confirmed his intention to sign the resolution on July 6, stating: "These guys have governed with cynicism and complete contempt of the American people from the beginning," and that "The latest... [for Cheney] to say he’s above the law and he’s not part of the Executive Branch... he’s just gone too far for the average American citizen." [22]
Also signing on July 12 was Representative Sam Farr. Farr became a co-sponsor despite his doubts about the resolution's chance of success, having earlier said: "Many residents in the Central Coast support the removal of Cheney from office, and I am proud to represent their values in Congress."[23]
Congressman Robert Brady became a co-sponsor on July 24, 2007. No statement was issued in support of his decision.
On August 1, 2007, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who had previously been the target of activist pressure[15], became a co-sponsor. Also signing on August 1 was Congressman Donald M. Payne, apparently in response to having been asked about H Res 333 the day before.[24]
Representatives Sheila Jackson-Lee and Steve Cohen both became co-sponsors on August 4, during an unusual Saturday session of Congress.
Conyers announces independence from Pelosi
In a speech given on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. stated: "Nancy Pelosi has impeachment 'off the table,' but that's off her table, it is not off [my] table", and that Pelosi "cannot prevent me from introducing an impeachment resolution". He further said: "I have no reticence, no reluctance, no hesitation to use the tool of impeachment".[25]
Nineteenth through twenty-second co-sponsors
On September 7, 2007, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick became a co-sponsor. She is the Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
Representative Edolphus Towns became a co-signer on September 27, 2007.
On October 13, 2007, in response to a request by the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center, Congresswoman Diane Watson agreed to immediately sign on as a co-sponsor for H Res 333. LANIC also presented Watson with a petition of over 10,000 signatures from local residents in support of impeachment. Watson -- along with Danny K. Davis and John Conyers -- had previously pledged to push for impeachment if each could be shown that 1% of his or her district supported the move.[26] Watson officially added her name to the resolution on October 16, 2007.
Representative Danny K. Davis became a co-sponsor of H Res 333 on November 5, 2007. Like other recent additions to the bill, Davis is a member of the CBC. With his support, members of the CBC now provide the second-largest share of co-sponsors for the resolution; the largest share belongs to members of the Out of Iraq Caucus.
Reintroduction of content as H Res 799
On 6 November 2007, Kucinich read the text of H Res 333 on the House floor as a new resolution (H Res 799), offering it as a "Question of the Privileges of the House".[27] A motion to table the new resolution failed, in part due to support from the Republican Party. [28] The House subsequently passed a motion to refer H Res 799 to the Judiciary Committee for its review.[29] [30] H Res 799 is now more or less in the same state as H Res 333, awaiting a hearing in committee.
In a statement released later that day, Kucinich said:
These articles of impeachment are not brought forth lightly. I have carefully weighed the options available to Members of Congress, and found this path the best available. The justifications used to lead our nation to war have been unquestionably disproved. Brave soldiers and innocent civilians have lost their lives in a war that the United States never should have initiated. The weight of the lies used to lead us to war has grown heavier with each death. Now is the time for this Congress to examine the actions that led us into this war, just as we must work to bring our troops home. This resolution is a very serious matter and I urge the Committee on Judiciary to investigate and carefully consider this resolution.[31]
Representative Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement on the same day:
Impeachment is the most severe action that the Congress can take against the Executive Branch and the consideration of articles of impeachment must not be taken lightly. The charges outlined in H.Res. 333 calling for the impeachment of Vice-President Cheney are serious and deserve more than an hour of debate without the ability to present evidence. As such, I have voted to refer this resolution to the House Judiciary Committee so that the charges outlined can be heard and debated.... Impeachment is a lengthy process which would divide Congress and this nation even more deeply than we are divided right now. Referring this resolution to the House Judiciary Committee is the constitutionally appropriate process that should be pursued.[32]
Congressman Ron Paul, a Republican presidential candidate, voted in favor of the motion to table H. Res. 799. He made the following statements in defense of his vote:
Mr. Speaker, I rise, reluctantly, in favor of the motion to table House Resolution 799, Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors, and in favor of referring that resolution to the House Judiciary Committee for full consideration. I voted to table this resolution not because I do not share the gentleman from Ohio's desire to hold those responsible for the Iraqi debacle accountable; but rather, because I strongly believe that we must follow established protocol in matters of such importance... I was pleased that the House did vote in favor of sending this legislation to the Judiciary Committee, which essentially directs the committee to examine the issue more closely than it has done to this point.[33]
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, who is not a co-sponsor of H. Res. 333 and is not a member of any relevant committees, issued the following statement after the vote:
It is the duty of the Vice President to faithfully execute the laws of the United States of America and to defend the Constitution. There is growing evidence that the Executive Branch has ignored some of our laws and has attempted to bend the Constitution to its will. “Members of both parties decided that this issue is too important to ignore. I voted with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to investigate the Vice President’s actions in office.[34]
Wexler announces support for hearings
In an e-mail to supporters on November 7, 2007, Representative Robert Wexler, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, stated that
I will urge the Judiciary Committee to schedule impeachment hearings immediately and not let this issue languish as it has over the last six months. Only through hearings can we bring begin to correct the abuses of Dick Cheney and the Bush Administration; and, if it is determined in these hearings that Vice President Cheney has committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors, he should be impeached and removed from office.[35]
Wasserman Schultz expresses opposition to impeachment
Representative Wasserman Schultz participated in an Ed Schultz Show radio interview on November 8, 2007. In apparent contradiction with her statement earlier in the week, she made several remarks that seem to indicate significant personal opposition to beginning an impeachment process, including that "[The people of America] did not ask us to spend any time on the impeachment of the Vice President", that a successful impeachment would "squander the opportunity to move this country in a new direction", and that a move to impeach would "play right into the Republican hands."[36]
See also
References
- ^ Library of Congress, H.RES.333, Summary as of: 04/24/2007--Introduced, THOMAS
- ^ Library of Congress, HRES 333 IH, THOMAS
- ^ "Supporting Documents for H Res 333"
- ^ a b CBS Staff, Nancy Pelosi: Two Heartbeats Away, 60 Minutes, 22 October 2006
- ^ a b c Michael Roston, Kucinich announces impeachment charges against Vice President Cheney, The Raw Story, 24 April 2007
- ^ CNN staff, rush transcript for The Situation Room aired 24 April 2007, CNN
- ^ archive footage of the Orangeburg Democratic Presidential Debates for Election 2008, MSNBC, April 26, 2007
- ^ Associated Press, Clay co-sponsors resolution to impeach Cheney, USAToday, May 3, 2007
- ^ Associated Press, Schakowsky joins Kucinich effort to impeach Cheney, Chicago Tribune, May 3, 2007
- ^ Matthew Hay Brown, Wynn supports effort to impeach Cheney, Baltimore Sun, May 12, 2007
- ^ Matthew Cardinale, BREAKING: Five US Reps Support Cheney Impeachment, Atlanta Progressive News, June 06, 2007
- ^ Eric Pfeiffer, Cheney ouster gains backers, Washington Times, June 14, 2007
- ^ Michael H. Cottman, Should Vice President Cheney Be Impeached? Hank Johnson Says Yes, Barack Obama Says No, BlackAmericaWeb, July 5, 2007
- ^ Eli Sanders, Rep. McDermott Calls for Impeachment of the Vice President, The Stranger, June 28, 2007
- ^ a b Kristin Czubkowski, "Impeach Bush! Impeach Cheney!" Protest Urges Baldwin To Act, Capital Times, July 05, 2007
- ^ Howard Blume, A place to push impeachment, Los Angeles Times, July 05, 2007
- ^ James Ridgeway, Impeach Cheney?, Mother Jones, July 07, 2007
- ^ Robert Greenwald, YouTube: "Impeach Dick Cheney", Brave New Films, July 06, 2007
- ^ Nikolas Kozloff, Where's Jerry? On Cheney Impeachment, Rep. Nadler's a No Show, Counterpunch, July 10, 2007
- ^ Nick Juliano, Cheney impeachment bill gains yet another co-sponsor, Raw Story, July 10, 2007
- ^ Impeach Cheney, Moran says, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 10, 2007
- ^ Matthew Cardinale, APN Chat with US Rep. Bob Filner on Impeachment, Atlanta Progressive News, July 6, 2007
- ^ Larry Parsons, Farr signs on to Cheney impeachment bill, Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 12, 2007
- ^ David Swanson, 33 Congress Members for Impeachment, OpEd News, August 1, 2007
- ^ Nick Juliano, Conyers: Impeachment off Pelosi's table, but not mine, Raw Story, August 29, 2007
- ^ Dave Lindorff, Impeachment's Back in the News, populistamerica.com, April 8, 2007
- ^ Questions of Privilege, impeachbush.tv, October 31 2007
- ^ Jim Abrams (2007-11-06). "Debate on Cheney Impeachment Averted". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Johanna Neuman (2007-11-07). "Cheney impeachment resolution sent to House committee". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ On Deadline (2007-11-06). "House tied in knots over resolution to impeach Cheney". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Dennis Kucinich, Congressman Dennis Kucinich: Statement on Privileged Resolution, Common Dreams, November 6 2007
- ^ Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Statement from Rep. Wasserman Schultz regarding H.Res. 333, press release, November 6 2007
- ^ Ron Paul, QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 08, 2007), Congressional Record, November 6 2007
- ^ Carol Shea-Porter, Shea-Porter Statement on Impeachment Resolution, press release, November 6 2007
- ^ Robert Wexler, Wexler Votes for Floor Debate on Cheney Impeachment, official website of Congressman Robert Wexler, November 6 2007
- ^ audio recording, House Dem defends leadership decision to quash impeachment, Raw Story, November 9 2007
External links
- full text of resolution (in PDF format, at Kucinich's Congressional website)
- full text of resolution (in HTML format, at THOMAS)
- supporting documents for H. Res. 333 (index of several documents in PDF format at Kucinich's Congressional website)
- H.Res.333 on OpenCongress
- online poll/letter-writing campaign (requesting citizens' opinions, both for and against the resolution)