The House rejected a motion to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after a handful of Republicans helped shoot down the effort — sparking backlash among many of their GOP colleagues.
Lawmakers voted by a narrow margin of 214-216 to reject the articles of impeachment, resulting in tense exchanges on the floor as some Republicans sought to persuade holdouts in their party to back the measure. But the motion ultimately failed, prompting some GOP lawmakers to look within their own party for blame.
Some lawmakers pointed to the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the defeat on Tuesday, arguing the party would be in a stronger position if that hadn’t happened. McCarthy later announced an early resignation from the House, leaving Congress at the end of last year.
“Getting rid of Speaker McCarthy has officially turned into an unmitigated disaster,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) posted on X. “Our majority has shrunk.”
The removal of McCarthy has long been a point of contention for House Republicans as eight GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in ousting the former speaker.
But at least one Republican pushed back against those comments — instead suggesting McCarthy’s retirement is partly to blame for the failure to impeach Mayorkas.
“The House voting down the resolution to impeach Secretary Mayorkas is a middle finger to the American people,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who led the charge to oust McCarthy. “I’m doing what I can with the people I have here in Washington right now. The errant expulsion of George Santos and the abject selfishness of Kevin McCarthy contributed to this result as much as the three Republicans who voted no.”
Although the vote failed, Republicans said they plan to bring the articles back for consideration when Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) returns. Scalise has been absent for medical reasons, but his presence could help Republicans overcome their deficit.
But for those who voted no, their GOP colleagues expect a reckoning for them when they return home over the weekend.
“Of course my colleagues that voted no, I think there’ll be hearing from their constituents,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who sponsored the articles of impeachment. “I’m sure they’re probably hearing from them already. But I think they should listen to them.”
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Greene specifically mentioned Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who voted against the impeachment resolution. Greene was seen having a tense conversation with Gallagher on the House floor after he voted no, during which the Georgia Republican said she was explaining each of the charges brought against Mayorkas.
“He doesn’t think that that it’s very clear in his mind. Again, I think he’s got a full weekend to hear from his constituents,” she said. “Hopefully it becomes more clear.”
