US House rejects Trump impeachment bid

WASHINGTON

The US House of Representatives on Thursday tabled a resolution from Rep. Al Green to impeach President Donald Trump.

With the support of 47 Democrats voting "present" and 23 voting in favor, a Republican motion to table the resolution passed 237-140.

On Wednesday, Green filed the resolution seeking Trump’s impeachment.

It asserts that Trump has abused presidential power and, if left in office, could continue to promote violence, foster hate, undermine democratic institutions and weaken the US government. The resolution declares that Trump is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a statement before the vote that they would vote “present” on the motion to table it.

"Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust. The effort traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process, the collection and review of thousands of documents, an exacting scrutiny of the facts, the examination of dozens of key witnesses, Congressional hearings, sustained public organizing and the marshaling of the forces of democracy to build a broad national consensus.

"None of that serious work has been done, with the Republican majority focused solely on rubber stamping Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. Accordingly, we will be voting 'present' on today’s motion to table the impeachment resolution as we continue our fight to make life more affordable for everyday Americans," they wrote.