The Senate is gearing up for a dramatic showdown over the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Democrats are expected to swiftly move to dismiss the articles, while Republicans are adamant about having a full trial.
The House officially transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Tuesday, with senators set to be sworn in as jurors on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not outlined the exact procedural plan for the trial, but there are indications that Democrats may seek to dismiss the case before a full trial.
Mayorkas is facing impeachment for his handling of the southern border, making him the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years. House Republicans narrowly voted to impeach him in February after failing to do so on their first attempt.
Democrats have criticized the impeachment as a political stunt, arguing that policy disagreements should not be grounds for such a drastic measure. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has emphasized the solemn responsibility of considering the impeachment articles and opposes any move to table them.
While some hard-right Republican senators are pushing for a full trial, their efforts are not expected to gain enough traction. The Senate may ultimately vote to dismiss the articles, with some Republicans signaling openness to doing so.
The upcoming vote is likely to put pressure on Democratic senators up for reelection in tough races. Vulnerable Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has already stated he will vote to dismiss, calling the impeachment a “partisan exercise.”
As the Senate prepares for this historic impeachment trial, the nation waits to see how the proceedings will unfold and what impact it may have on the Biden administration’s border policies. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.