Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene ignited controversy on February 6, alleging deceptive maneuvers by Democrats during a failed vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, according to a report by Newsweek on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Speaking to reporters outside Congress, Greene characterized the event as a political “game” orchestrated by Democrats.
“We can basically look at this like a game, unfortunately,” Greene stated.
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She asserted that Democrats strategically concealed one of their members until the last minute to disrupt the Republicans’ vote count.
“They hid one of their members, waiting until the last minute, watching the CR votes, trying to throw us off from the numbers we had versus the numbers they had… that was a strategy at play tonight,” she claimed.
Despite the Republican majority in the House, the impeachment vote targeting Mayorkas initiated by Republicans faced defeat.
Notably, four Republicans broke ranks and voted against the impeachment, a move that would have marked the first removal of a Cabinet secretary since 1876.
It remains unclear which specific House vote Greene referred to in her accusations.
Before the impeachment proceedings, a vote on the extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act received overwhelming support with a 427-2 outcome.
However, two key figures, Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, did not cast their votes.
Scalise’s absence was attributed to health reasons, preventing his participation in both the prelude and the impeachment proceedings.
During the Mayorkas impeachment vote, a total of 430 members participated, with Representatives Mike Gallagher, Blake Moore, Tom McClintock, and Ken Buck breaking ranks with their party and voting against the GOP stance.
In response to Greene’s allegations, House Democrats released a statement on February 6, asserting, “House Democrats are focused on solutions, not stunts… We are committed to putting People Over Politics to make life better for everyday Americans.”
Significantly, this message was shared before the Mayorkas vote, underscoring Democrats’ focus on their legislative agenda.
The failed impeachment attempt against Mayorkas has revealed growing tensions within the House, with accusations of deception and strategic maneuvering.
The incident not only fuels ongoing political debates but also raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of the legislative process.
