In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Murray highlighted the importance of a thorough investigation by the House into the actions of President Trump and his associates
Senator Murray: “This is about maintaining our nation’s security and defending the rule of law. It is about nothing less than the future of our democracy”
ICYMI: Senator Murray’s July statement on impeachment proceedings
***VIDEO OF SENATOR MURRAY’S SPEECH AVAILABLE HERE***
(Washington, D.C.) – This morning, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) emphasized the importance of a complete and thorough investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives into President Trump’s repeated attempts to invite foreign interference in our elections, and whether President Trump or any of his associates committed high crimes or misdemeanors in the process. During a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Murray also shined a spotlight on the threat President Trump’s reckless behavior poses to our nation’s security and the foundations of our democracy.
Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks:
“Our nation is at a crossroads that strikes at the heart of our democracy. The increasingly outrageous actions of this President and his administration have brought us to this moment, where we—as a nation—must make a decision about who we are, what we stand for, and what kind of behavior we will allow at the highest levels of our government.”
“….[T]he President has repeatedly sought foreign interference in our elections, which we should all find appalling […] These facts are indisputable and can’t be spun—President Trump and his circle of friends have been clear about their actions and their intentions, and it is clear they are unacceptable.”
“For me and for so many other people across the country—this is not about partisan politics or any politics. This is about maintaining our nation’s security and defending the rule of law. It is about nothing less than the future of our democracy.”
“Based just on what we know, it would be a dereliction of duty for Congress not to investigate the grave threats to our country’s safety and to our democratic institutions, and if President Trump and his administration have nothing to hide, they should stop obstructing—let Congress do its job to find all the facts.”
“Will we allow foreign actors to interfere in our elections and undermine our security—or not? Will we stand by and allow this President, and perhaps future presidents, to ignore our Constitution and mangle our democratic norms—or not? Will we be a nation of laws—or not? I believe that this country is a country of laws, that our elections must be completely free from foreign interference, and that every elected official should ensure these fundamental principles come before party or partisanship as this process moves forward.”
“If and when the House elects to accuse the president of an impeachable offense or offenses, the Senate, right here, will host the trial and as Senators we will serve as jurors. If and when that time comes, I know I will approach it seriously, and I deeply hope each of my colleagues will, too.
Watch Senator Murray’s speech HERE:
Read the full text of Senator Murray’s remarks:
“Thank you, M. President.
“M. President, I come to the floor today because our nation is at a crossroads that strikes at the heart of our democracy.
“The increasingly outrageous actions of this President and his administration have brought us to this moment, where we—as a nation—must make a decision about who we are, what we stand for, and what kind of behavior we will allow at the highest levels of our government.
“And as we continue down this road—paved by the President’s reckless actions and his complete disregard for our nation’s laws and democratic norms—I want to take a moment to step back and talk about how we got here, and how much is truly at stake for our country and our democracy, if we don’t get this right.
“Let’s start by considering what we know for sure—the President has repeatedly sought foreign interference in our elections, which we should all find appalling.
“We know President Trump and his associates pressed the Ukrainian government to meddle in our democratic process, pushing them to launch an investigation, without basis, into the President’s political opponents in an effort to help his election.
“We know that he has made overtures to China, out in the open, to do the same.
“And, this is important, we don’t have to take anyone else’s word for it—we saw President Trump’s call record with the Ukrainian president, and we’ve all heard the President and his associates admit to their surreptitious actions from their own lips, on camera.
“These facts are indisputable and can’t be spun—President Trump and his circle of friends have been clear about their actions and their intentions, and it is clear they are unacceptable.
“But, even more seriously, there are still many questions about the extent of President Trump and his associates’ actions and their potential impacts on our democracy—questions for which the American people undoubtedly deserve answers.
“That’s why the House was right to begin impeachment proceedings to determine if President Trump has committed high crimes and misdemeanors—and why months ago I, too, called on the House to open an inquiry to investigate the President’s deeply distressing actions.
“Because—for me and for so many other people across the country—this is not about partisan politics or any politics.
“This is about maintaining our nation’s security and defending the rule of law.
“It is about nothing less than the future of our democracy.
“Let me be clear—because of President Trump, all of this is on the line, and that’s how serious this is.
“And I have news for my Republican colleagues—as much as you’d like to, staying silent on this, it is not an option.
“Our forefathers warned, they warned us against the power of foreign interference to undermine the foundations of our democracy, and their cautions echo as clearly and as strongly today as they did more than two hundred years ago.
“As members of Congress—as representatives of the American people—we took an oath to defend our nation’s security and our democracy.
“That’s why the Constitution gives authority to Congress, and the immense responsibility, to provide oversight of Presidents’ actions.
“Based just on what we know, it would be a dereliction of duty for Congress not to investigate the grave threats to our country’s safety and to our democratic institutions, and if President Trump and his administration have nothing to hide, they should stop obstructing—let Congress do its job to find all the facts.
“Furthermore, if Congress fails to investigate these issues it would set, on its own, a dangerous new precedent—essentially greenlighting this President’s unethical behavior and his attacks against our democratic institutions for future generations of our nation’s leaders.
“M. President, that’s a frightening notion.
“So now we are at this crossroads, and we have to make a decision.
“And over the coming weeks, the actions of the House—and possibly each individual in this body—will in large part determine which path we take.
“Will we allow foreign actors to interfere in our elections and undermine our security—or not?
“Will we stand by and allow this President, and perhaps future presidents, to ignore our Constitution and mangle our democratic norms—or not?
“Will we be a nation of laws—or not?
“I believe that this country is a country of laws, that our elections must be completely free from foreign interference, and that every elected official should ensure these fundamental principles come before party or partisanship as this process moves forward.
“M. President, there are other priorities Congress needs to focus on—important work we must continue doing to secure our elections, which is all the more paramount given this President’s actions.
“As well as efforts, of course, to lower health care costs, address the climate crisis, end the epidemic of gun violence, and more.
“But we cannot ignore what President Trump and his associates have done and said, and the impact their actions can have on our elections, our democracy, and the future of this country.
“M. President, I’ve sat in this chamber as a juror in an impeachment trial before.
“It was a deeply serious undertaking, and one each Member took seriously before rendering a decision.
“That is the same seriousness that is required in this moment, at this crossroads.
“If and when the House elects to accuse the president of an impeachable offense or offenses, the Senate, right here, will host the trial and as Senators we will serve as jurors.
“If and when that time comes, I know I will approach it seriously, and I deeply hope each of my colleagues will, too.
“Each of us will have to put aside every other consideration beyond the facts and focus solely on preserving the integrity of our democracy and upholding our solemn obligation to defend the Constitution—and history will record where we all stand.
“Thank you, M. President, I yield the floor.”
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