European union. What does President Trump ask sondland the day after this call . What does the president want to know . Did he ask about ukraines efforts to battle corruption . Of course not. Did he ask how the war with russia was going . Not a chance. On the phone his voice loud enough for others to hear, President Trump asked sondland, so hes going to do the investigation . And the answer was clear, sondland assured trump that the ukrainian president was going to do it. And that he would do anything you asked him to. If that wasnt telling enough, my colleagues, in a conversation that followed, an american Diplomat Dining with sondland asked if it was true that President Trump didnt give a blank about ukraine . Sondland agreed saying president cared only about big stuff. The diplomat noted that there was big stuff in ukraine like a war with russia. And sondland replied that the president cared only about big stuff that benefits him personally like the Biden Investigation that mr. Giuliani was pushing. In that short conversation, we learned everything we need to know about the 45th president of the United States. He doesnt care about ukraine or the impact on our National Security caused by withholding military aid to that country fighting for its democratic life. All that matters to this president is what affects him personally, an investigation into his political rival and a chance to cheat in the next election. As Professor Gerhardt testified
two weeks ago, if what we are talking about is not impeachable, then nothing is impeachable. Even as this body uncovered the facts of this ukraine scheme, even as we opened an Impeachment Inquiry, even as we gathered evidence, President Trump continued his efforts to seek foreign help in the next election. Well, i would think, he said from the white house lawn on october 3rd, that if theyre being honest about it, theyd start a Major Investigation into the bidens. Its a very simple answer, he said. And he made it clear its an open invitation to other nations as well saying china should start an investigation into the bidens, too. President trump sent his Chief Of Staff to the white house podium and he told the world that of course they had linked aid to investigations. And that we should just get over
it. And even as these articles have made their way to this house floor, the president s personal attorney has continued pursuing these sham investigations on behalf of his client, the president. The president and his men plot on, the danger persists, the risk is real, our democracy is at peril. But we are not without a remedy prescribed by the founders for just these circumstances. Impeachment. The only question is will we use it . Or have we fallen pray to another evil that the founders forewarned, the elevation of party over country. Many of my colleagues appeared to have made their choice to protect the president , to enable
him to be above the law, to empower this president to cheat again as long as it is in the service of their party and their power. Theyve made their choice. Despite this president and the white house stonewalling every subpoena, every request for witnesses, and testimony from this coequal branch of government, they have made their choice knowing that to allow this president to obstruct congress will impower him and any other president that follows to be as corrupt, as negligent, or as abusive of the power of the presidency as they choose. They have made their choice, and i believe they will root the day that they did. When donald j. Trump was sworn in on january 20th, 2017, he repeated these words. I do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States. Has he lived up to that sacred obligation . Has he honored his Oath Of Office . Has he preserved, protected, and defended the constitution of the United States, the uncontested evidence provides the simple yet tragic answer, he has not. In america, no one is above the law. Donald j. Trump sacrificed our National Security in an effort to cheat in the next election. And for that and his continued efforts to seek foreign interference in our elections, he must be impeached. I reserve the balance of my
time. Gentleman from north dakota. Madam chair, its nice to see you here, chairman schiff. It wouldve been nice to have either you or the whistleblower present in either the judiciary or the oversight hearings. And i think we are continuing to neglect the four key facts of this. The transcript is out, everybody can read it. The American People can read it. There is no conditionality or aid discussed on that call. Yes, maam . Go ahead. The two principles on that call, President Trump and president zelensky said there was no pressure. President zelensky has basically screamed from the rooftops on numerous occasions that there was no pressure, no bribery, no quid pro quo. The Ukrainian Government got the money and didnt know the aid was being paused, and no investigation was announced that a meeting with the president took place and it was released. With that i would yield reminded to address the remarks to the chair. And with that i would yield a minute and a half of my time for
my friend from missouri, mr. Smith. Thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i come from a state that raises corn and cotton, and democrats. Your frothy el consequence neither convinces. Im from the show me state. You have to show me. The only thing that you all have shown so far is that youre about to impeach a duly elected president who has done nothing wrong. Democrats are not impeaching the president because they are scared of our republic or that he has committed a crime. They are impeaching him because they fear the president s policies. And how well they are working for the American People. Most of all they fear the election because they know they cant beat them. In fact, one of my democrat colleagues is quoted stating im
concerned if we dont impeach him he will get reelected. This kind of rhetoric is disgusting. Impeachment is not a political weapon. And any member who votes for impeachment should be ashamed today. You cannot undo the results of the 2016 election simply because your flawed candidate did not win. And thank god she didnt. Over the last three years, unemployment has dropped to the lowest point in generations. We are seeing better Trade Agreements with our Trading Partners and record numbers of taxes and regulations that stifle Economic Growth have been rolled back all thanks to President Trumps leadership and commitment. But we shouldnt be surprised. Democrats have introduced articles of impeachment can i have one 30 seconds . Well yield him 15 seconds. This is very important. We shouldnt be surprised,
democrats have introduced articles of impeachment in five out of our last six republican president s. They are the party of impeachment. The democrats are the party of impeachment. The gentleman yields back. And once men members are admonished to address their remarks to the chair. Gentleman from california. Thank you, madam speaker. It is my pleasure to yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Swalwell. Mr. Swalwell is recognized for two minutes. Donald trump is using the presidency to put his own personal gain above our National Interests. He is using our Taxpayer Dollars and foreign interference to cheat the next election, and it jeopardizes our National Security and integrity at the ballot box. And not a single fact in this case is seriously in dispute. I asked my colleagues, who sent his personal lawyer to ukraine to investigate his political rival . Who fired an ambassador who
stood in his way . Who conditioned a white house meeting on investigations that only personally benefitted him and not the National Interest . Who cut off military aid to an ally that desperately needed it . Who pressured president zelensky to conduct those investigations . Who stood on the white house lawn and asked not only ukraine to investigate his rival but also china. Who has buried evidence and blocked witnesses from testifying . And who is still today sending his personal lawyer to ukraine to dig up dirt and rig an election . The answer to all of these questions is president donald trump. This is a crime spree in progress, but we know how to stop it. Courage. Yes, this investigation has shown us how corrupt President Trump is. But its also shown us the courage of some of our fellow patriotic Civil Servants who
have used their courage to not only stand up Around The World to extinguish corruption but also to extinguish it at the white house. How . Well, my colleagues argue no harm, no foul, ukraine got the aid. Wrong. Trump cheated. Patriots caught him. Then ukraine got the aid. Standing up, turns out, works. Now is the time to summon the courage of those patriots and to summon the courage that they showed against donald trump. If they can risk their careers, even their lives, to do the right thing, can my colleagues also do the same . After all, more is on the line than just military aid to an ally. Our National Security is at stake. Stand up for that. Our Election Integrity is at stake. Stand up for that. And our constitutions at stake. Stand up for that. I yield back. The gentleman from north dakota. Madam speaker, may i inquire as to the time remaining on each
side . The gentleman has one hour and 23 and a fourths minutes remaining and the gentleman from california has one hour and 18 minutes remaining. I appreciate the detail. With that i yield one and a half minutes to the gentleman from ohio, mr. Johnston. The gentleman is recognized for one and a half minutes. Madam speaker, this is a sad day for america. This partisan impeachment sham seeks to disenfranchise 63 million American Voters. So i want to use my time to call on this chamber, for members to rise and observe a moment of silent reflection. To give every member here the chance to pause for a moment and remember the voices of the 63
million American Voters the democrats today are wanting to silence. Madam speaker, disenfranchising 63 million voters gives me 63 million reasons to vote no. And i urge my colleagues to do the same. Gentleman yields back. Gentleman from california. Madam speaker, Its My Pleasure to yield 2 minutes to
the gentlelady from alabama. Madam speaker, it is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of the graft of this moment that i rise today in support of the impeachment of president donald j. Trump. To be clear, i did not run for congress to impeach a president. I came to work every day on behalf of the hardworking people of alabamas seventh congressional district. But the facts are uncontested. The truth is clear. And i have been left no other choice. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, i sat in shock, in awe, as witness after witness came forward. Their stories painting a clear picture of the president s abuse of power. They testified that the president had direct orders to withhold vital military aid for ukraine and a white house visit in exchange for investigation into the bidens. To date, all the military aid
has not been released. And there still has been no white house meeting. The bottom line is clear. President trump endangered our National Security and the very essence of our democracy for his own personal, political gain. Then, President Trump sought to cover it up by subverting the overnight authority of congress. If president ial abuse of power is left unchecked, we all become accomplices when he does it again. This cannot become the new normal, not on our watch. While President Trumps indefensible actions set in motion this event, my vote for impeachment today is not about the president. It is about my oath to defend and protect the constitution of this United States of america and to make sure that i uphold and honor the sacred trust that my constituents gave me. President trump has betrayed his Oath Of Office. Let us not betray ours. I yield back the balance of my time. Gentleman from north dakota. Im from oh, youre back. From georgia. Thank you, madam speaker. Im back. Also noticed some changes around here since we left. And i notice i have a new manager on The Other Side who, as i came back in from getting a quick bite, noticed gave an eloquent defense of this story were telling. I just wish i could have had that same eloquence where he could have been asked questions instead of just giving one side. The gentleman is recognized for a minute and a half. Thank you. Madam speaker, today will forever be remembered as a stain on our republic. These Impeachment Proceedings are not based upon facts, evidence, reason, or any inappropriate or impeachable actions by our president. Instead, the actions being taken by those favoring impeachment
are a product of their disdain for President Trump, his americafirst agenda, and particularly a disdain by the other party for the 63 million americans that elected him as president. Again, these articles of impeachment are not based on any facts but rather on hearsay, presumptions, innuendo, and feelings. Feelings by democrats and Career Bureaucrats who have wanted President Trump removed from office since the day he was elected. In defense of the constitution, i urge all members to oppose both articles of impeachment. It is unclear who will judge those voting for impeachment today more harshly. History or voters . So, i want democrats voting for impeachment today to know that ill be praying for them from the gospel of luke, the 23rd chapter, verse 34. And jesus said, father, forgive
them for they know not what they do. Thank you and i yield back. The gentleman from california. Madam speaker, my colleagues have referred to Patriotic Americans who testified before the Intelligence Committee as Career Bureaucrats. I want to remind people just who those Career Bureaucrats are. Theyre people like ambassador bill taylor who has served this country for decades, graduated top in his class at west point, served during vietnam in combat, earned a bronze star. Theyre people like Colonel Vindman served in iraq, earned a purple heart. Theyre people like ambassador marie yovanovitch, served in dangerous places all over the world, one of the most respected of all of our Foreign Service officers. These are the people that my colleagues would perjoratively label as Career Bureaucrats. And why . Because they have the courage to answer a subpoena to come and testify. And for this theyre called Career Bureaucrats. Well, we should have more Career Bureaucrats of that caliber. Im pleased toyearold one minute to the gentleman from california, mr. Costa. Madam speaker, i rise with a heavy heart. The two most difficult votes any member of congress ever asked to cast is to vote to go to war or to impeach. Today i will vote for the articles of impeachment. Over the last few minutes i have listened carefully to my constituents. I have weighed all of the available information to determine whether or not the president committed any wrongdoing. There are disturbing facts from this administration that informed my decision including the president s own words. His ambassador to the European Union testified there was a quid pro quo to withhold aid to ukraine for an investigation into former Vice President biden and that everyone was in the
loop. His own National Security adviser john bolton said he wanted nothing to do with this drug deal as he called it. And the president only acknowledged that china and ukraine should investigate mr. Biden. Theres much more evidence pointing to the president violating his own Oath Of Office. I have not made this decision lightly. But i must uphold my Oath Of Office because i believe the president has failed to uphold his Oath Of Office. The weight of history and my belief in the constitution of the United States and our own National Security interests have led me to this vote. And i yield back the balance of