After the vote Wednesday night, Congressman Anthony Brindisi issued the following statement: President Trump is my President too. I’ve always said I would work with him to get things done for American families. Recently, President Trump signed my first bill into law to extend key programs to our nation’s Veterans. Soon the President will sign my legislation to require the military to purchase American-made flatware, like the kind produced at Sherrill Manufacturing, and a first of its kind Fentanyl Sanctions Act to crack down on illicit fentanyl coming from China. I’ve worked with this administration to bring about a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada that will help our farmers and protect our workers. I will always vote my conscience, put our Country first, and support the rule of law.
Today I am what I have always been, a person privileged to live in the greatest democracy in history. It is with profound sadness I cast my vote today; however, I voted not as Democrat or Republican but as an American who has been given this responsibility by the community I love. The Constitution, the rule of law, respect for justice and individual dignity have standards and therefore must be subject to accountability.
White House deputy press secretary Steven Groves sent out this statement about Brindisi’s vote, according to the subject line of the email, but it mentioned another representative, not Brindisi. Groves has not followed up with a clarification. Here it is: Rep. Max Rose said he wouldn’t go to Washington with a ‘partisan pitchfork’ in his hand, yet he joins Nancy Pelosi and the progressive Democrats in their hyper-partisan, baseless impeachment sham. While Rose is clearly beholden to Pelosi and the DC swamp, President Trump has not stopped fighting for Staten Island and South Brooklyn to address the opioid crisis, improve our infrastructure, and lower prescription drug prices.
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of obstruction of justice and abuse of power: As a senator, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of my office. This includes holding the president accountable for bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Now that the House has formally charged President Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of justice, the Senate will do its constitutional duty to try the president for these alleged crimes. I will enter the proceedings with one purpose: to find the truth and deliver justice. It is incumbent on all of us—Democrat or Republican—to cast aside partisanship, consider the evidence marshalled by the House, and make an impartial judgement on whether to acquit or convict the president.
The facts laid out by the House are disturbing. According to an admission by his own chief of staff, President Trump withheld military aid to an ally, currently engaged in warfare with Russia, in an effort to extract political favors for personal gain. Although President Trump has done everything in his power to stonewall the House’s investigation, numerous nonpartisan military and career professionals have provided testimony relating this alleged abuse of power.
History will remember those who stood up for our values, our country and the rule of law, as well as those who enabled the degradation of our democracy. I intend to be in the former.”
