The Kick-off

I started my week by joining Fox News' Mornings with Maria to talk about funding the federal government, the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement, and the impeachment vote. Here are a few takeaway quotes:   

"I don't think there is a person here on the hill that doesn't remember last year with an appropriations lapse and so called government shutdown. That is not a good place for any of us to be. The pressure is on to get this done."

"The good news from my perspective was your lead in, the economy has done well this last year."

The Lead-up

After speaking with Maria, I joined Fox News' America's Newsroom to discuss the upcoming House Rules Committee hearing on Articles of Impeachment. Here are three points from my interview:

"I think what you are about to see is nothing different from what you have seen all along. This exercise is going to be revealed to be highly partisan, extremely divisive for the country, and they have no provable case."

"We [Republicans] will argue for a longer period of time so that everyone can be heard. They [Democrats] obviously want a shorter period because they have a thin case that is impossible to defend."

"Here's the problem; it's not going to be a fair process, it didn't start as a fair process, it hasn't been a fair process at any point along the line, it's not going to be a fair process in rules, and I will predict it is not going to be a fair process on the [House] Floor."

The Creation of the Rule

As a member of the House Rules Committee, I was able to voice my concern about Articles of Impeachment and fought to provide every member ample time to defend why they were voting the way they were. In the end, Republicans were out voted 4-9 to ensure this provision. Here is a snip-it of my statement that evening:

"This impeachment has been all about very little facts and a great deal of anger, Democrats are angry at the president and angry at Americans for electing him. That’s not a good look for Congress."

Debate on the Floor

As the nation watched to see the predicted outcome, I went to the House Floor and explained why history would reflect poorly on the actions taken Wednesday evening.

"The rush to impeach first and solidify the case second threatens the credibility of the process and the body engaged, this House of Representatives."

"Chairman Nadler and Chairman Schiff refused to comply with the rules of the House in granting access to committee records for Members and scheduling a minority hearing in a reasonable amount of time, preventing the American people from being equally represented in the process."

"Democrats claim that we must protect the integrity of our election. If they truly care, then I must ask: What are we missing while we’ve remained focused on impeachment?"

The Outcome

In the end, the House voted and passed Articles of Impeachment. While I do not believe the evidence presented amounts to an impeachable offense, my desire is that in the coming weeks the country will be able to come back together and heal the wounds caused by this partisan exercise.