McDermott to Cheney: "Resign or Face Impeachment"

By Chris Good
The Hill

Friday 29 June 2007

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) told Vice President Dick Cheney to "resign or face impeachment" Thursday night as three more House Democrats lent their support to a plan to impeach the vice president.

"The vice president holds himself above the law, and it is time for the Congress to enforce the law," McDermott said in a floor speech. "For the good of the nation, the vice president could leave office immediately."

McDermott was one of three House Democrats to come out in favor of impeachment Thursday, along with Reps. Keith Ellison (Minn.) and Hank Johnson (Ga.). Including the three lawmakers, seven members in June have shown new support for impeaching Cheney.

McDermott cited Cheney's refusal to cooperate with the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), which, pursuant to an order signed by President Clinton, oversees the handling of classified documents by executive agencies. McDermott denounced a 2004 claim that Cheney's office is not part of the executive branch.

"When a sitting vice president claims that he is not part of the executive branch of government to which he was elected, it is time to remove him from office," McDermott said.

Johnson also cited the refusal to submit to ISOO oversight in his decision to support impeachment.

McDermott, who was lambasted by conservatives for opposing the Iraq war, said he anticipates a barrage of attacks in response to his support for impeachment.

"The intent of this administration, and this vice president, has been to silence all dissent," McDermott said. "Fear is what kept this administration in office in 2004, and fear is the only public discourse this administration understands - and practices."

The articles of impeachment, introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) in April, have garnered support from 10 House cosponsors.

Unlike the other impeachment backers, McDermott voted against an amendment proposed by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) to deny funding to the Office of the Vice President Thursday night. Emanuel proposed the amendment earlier this month as Cheney's document secrecy gained more attention.

The amendment failed 217-209, receiving votes from two Republicans: Reps. Ron Paul (Texas) and Walter Jones (N.C.).

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