Washington (July 25, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today took to the Senate floor, the day after hearing testimony from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, to make remarks calling on the House of Representatives to begin immediate impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

Below are excerpts from Senator Markey’s floor remarks.

“The Special Counsel’s testimony and events of the past few weeks have led to the undeniable conclusion that it is time for the House of Representatives to begin a formal impeachment proceeding against President Trump.

“I stand here today on the Senate floor, the place where an impeachment trial would occur, understanding the gravity of this moment in our nation’s history.

“I stand here today because I believe we have reached the moment where we must stand up for the survival of our democracy.”

…

“I do not come to this decision lightly. An impeachment proceeding against the President of the United States is a matter of the highest constitutional magnitude.

“But when the evidence demonstrates that the President of the United States obstructed the Special Counsel’s investigation, and when the facts and the evidence demonstrate that the President of the United States is continuing to obstruct justice — seeking to derail a legitimate congressional investigation into the lawfulness of his conduct while in office — then the Congress must do its constitutional duty and act.

“The acts of obstruction that Special Counsel Mueller described in his report and in his testimony yesterday to Congress are impeachable offenses — a view shared by myriad constitutional scholars, attorneys, and prosecutors.”

…

“If the evidence of obstruction of justice and other wrongdoing that Robert Mueller explained yesterday is not evidence of impeachable offenses, what is?

“What damage would a future president have to inflict in order to trigger an impeachment inquiry?

I have no illusions about where an impeachment inquiry will lead. My Republican colleagues have thus far shown themselves unwilling to hold this President accountable. They believe that everything is, quote, all over.

“But the evidence in the Mueller report and the Special Counsel’s testimony yesterday explaining it, defending it, and reaffirming it compel us to do what is right, and what is necessary. And that is to exercise our authority and begin an impeachment proceeding against Donald Trump.

“Nothing less than our democracy is at stake.”

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