Scalise seeks transparency in impeachment proceedings

Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) on Oct. 18 sponsored a resolution that would permit all members of Congress to access the impeachment proceedings involving U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The stakes are too high for Chairman Schiff and Speaker Pelosi’s impeachment proceedings to continue in secret,” Rep. Scalise said, referring to U.S. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

“The American people’s elected representatives have been denied access to relevant documents and the opportunity to attend depositions and transcribed interviews,” he said.

Rep. Scalise introduced the Open and Transparent Impeachment Investigation Resolution, H.Res. 639, with 10 Republican cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) to allow the rule change.

“Chairman Schiff wants to impeach President Trump behind closed doors and clearly has no intention of conducting a fair and open process,” added Rep. Scalise. “We demand transparency.”

If enacted, H.Res. 639 would permit all members of Congress non-participatory access to committee proceedings related to Speaker Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry and would include access to transcribed interviews and depositions.

“For the sake of our republic, members of Congress must have access to proceedings with such monumental and dangerous consequences,” Rep. Scalise said, asking, “Will House Democrats respect precedent and commit to transparency? Or will Speaker Pelosi continue to hold her sham impeachment inquiry in secret?”

The resolution has been referred to the U.S. House Rules Committee for consideration.