How Illinois Representatives Voted On Impeachment Inquiry

ACROSS ILLINOIS — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved eight pages of procedures to take the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump to nationally broadcast public hearings. Here’s how representatives in Illinois voted:

• Rep. Bobby Rush, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Robin Kelly, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Dan Lipinski, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Michael Quigley, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Sean Casten, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Danny K. Davis, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Jan Schakowsky , Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Brad Schneider, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Bill Foster, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Mike Bost, Republican: No
• Rep. Rodney L. Davis, Republican: No
• Rep. Lauren Underwood, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. John Shimkus, Republican: No
• Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Republican: No
• Rep. Cheri Bustos, Democrat: Yes
• Rep. Darin LaHood, Republican: No

The resolution defining the scope of the next phase of the inquiry was approved mainly along party lines, 232-196.

The House will move ahead with impeachment proceedings against Trump after a government whistleblower’s claims the president used the power of his office to solicit a foreign government to influence the 2020 U.S. election. Much of the testimony and documents released after the claim have supported the whistleblower’s account.

The impeachment effort has focused on three panels — Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Oversight and Reform. In closed-door hearings that included Republicans on the committees, investigations have centered on how Trump urged Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, now running for president, while withholding nearly $400 million in military aid.

An investigation by the Judiciary Committee has focused on possible obstruction of justice by the president, based on episodes described in special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Provisions in the resolution allow Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the Intelligence committee’s chairman, and Rep. Devin Nunes of California, the panel's top Republican, to each question witnesses for up to 90 minutes or delegate their time to staffers before rank-and-file lawmakers each ask questions for five minutes.

Republicans on the Intelligence and Judiciary committees could subpoena witnesses and documents, subject to the chairman’s approval, and Republicans could ask for a committee vote.

The vote came as Tim Morrison, Trump's former top adviser for Russian and European affairs, arrived on Capitol Hill to testify before the House. Morrison, who left his job Wednesday, served on the National Security Council and is the first White House political appointee to testify.

His testimony was scheduled behind closed doors, but he could provide information that is central to the push to remove Trump from office. Specifically, he will be asked to explain the "sinking feeling" he said he got when Trump demanded Ukraine's president investigate former Biden and his son over business dealings in Ukraine.

Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-3) released this statement in a release after the House of Representatives passed the resolution:

"The resolution I supported today sets the rules for public hearings as the House moves forward with the impeachment inquiry. It’s imperative that this critical investigation and the allegations set forth are handled in a transparent manner. This process is consistent with prior precedent, including the process used with Presidents Nixon and Clinton, and establishes opportunities for the President or his counsel to present their case and respond to evidence. My decision-making process will continue to be based on the complete record and all of the facts and evidence laid out. As this investigation goes on, the House can and must also continue to work on the issues that are most important to the everyday lives of Americans.

"The ongoing impeachment inquiry has collected extensive evidence and testimony that paints a disturbing picture of a President who abused his power and violated his oath of office. It’s time for the American people to learn firsthand about the President’s misconduct and for the House of Representatives to move forward with its constitutional obligation to hold the President accountable."

Congressman Sean Caston (D-6) released the following statement:

"Today I joined my colleagues to formalize the process and start the public investigation pursing an impeachment inquiry into the President. I am deeply concerned, based on what we have learned so far about our country’s national security risk, involvement of a foreign actor in U.S. elections, and abuse of his position as President to benefit his political success. We must, however, continue to gather all of the information before we prejudge the outcome of an inquiry. As a scientist and a businessman, I believe we must follow the facts to make informed decisions; an inquiry affords that transparency, so long as we do not presume its outcome. By formalizing the process, we are able to do that as well as provide rights to all the actors involved.

"As we come up on a year until the 2020 elections, it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure that our elections are safe, fair, and free from foreign interference. Congress and the American people cannot turn a blind eye when it comes from the President of the United States.

"Protecting our national security and our Constitution is critical right now, and today’s vote moves us one step closer to gathering all information. We are not happy to be here, but we do not shirk our Constitutional responsibility."

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-9) released the statement below:

"Today House Democrats upheld their oath to protect and defend the Constitution and passed a resolution outlining the procedures for the impeachment investigation moving forward. This vote, this resolution, and this day will go down in history, and it will be a moment I proudly remember when I look back on my career in Congress.

"This resolution enables the Intelligence Committee to hold public hearings and make testimony and documents public. It also lays out the process for it to transfer its findings and conclusions to the Judiciary Committee, which will then decide whether or not to introduce articles of impeachment against the President. The resolution also lays out the broad due process rights of the President and allows him and his counsel to participate in future hearings. The evidence against the President is staggering, and this resolution assures that the American people hear firsthand the extent of his abuse of power.

"This morning when I cast my vote in support of the impeachment inquiry, I thought about what my dear friend, the late Elijah Cummings said: ‘When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, ‘In 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?’’ I voted yes for my late friend, and for my children and grandchildren. I voted yes to protect my country and its constitution for generations to come. No person is above the law, not even the President."

Congressman Brad Schneider (D-10) released the following statement:

"Today’s vote outlines a path forward for the impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s misconduct, and ensures the next phase of the inquiry will involve open hearings for the American people to hear firsthand the facts of this case.

"The President has been accused of subordinating our national security to his own personal and political interests, of inviting a foreign country to interfere in our elections, and of abusing the power of his office. These allegations, initially revealed by the whistleblower, have been confirmed by the President’s own public statements, the White House’s own transcript, and by the testimony of individuals on the call to the President of Ukraine. These are serious charges that warrant action, and the House has a constitutional responsibility to investigate them fully.

"The procedures outlined in today’s resolution formalize the impeachment process envisioned by our founders. I have unbroken confidence in our system of checks and balances and trust in our Constitution to guide us on the path ahead. I remain committed to following the truth and holding the President accountable under the law."

Congressman Bill Foster (D-11) issued the following statement :

"Today, I voted in support of moving the impeachment inquiry into the next phase, including holding public hearings, allowing the President and his Counsel to participate in the process, and establishing procedures for the transfer of evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment. This follows precedents set forth in previous impeachment proceedings taken up by the House."

The resolution approved Thursday directs the House Intelligence Committee to hold the public hearings and write a report that will be handed off to the House Judiciary Committee, which would then draft articles of impeachment.

If the House moves forward, the Republican-controlled Senate would decide whether to remove Trump from office.