The Senate voted to dismiss two impeachment articles against Mayorkas, labeling them unconstitutional.
According to Fox News, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., challenged the constitutionality of the impeachment charges against Mayorkas. His accusations were focused on a perceived failure in law compliance related to policies at the southern border and an alleged breach of public trust.
Majority Leader Schumer’s motion to consider the articles unconstitutional sparked a fierce debate in the Senate. This maneuver followed an unsuccessful attempt to secure agreement from all Senators on debate time and voting procedures.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, showed an atypical voting pattern during the proceedings. She elected to vote "present" on the first article and aligned with her Republican colleagues on the second vote.
Some Republican senators attempted to delay the review of Schumer's motion through various procedural motions, but these efforts ultimately failed. Each proposal was defeated, allowing the continuance of the point-of-order discussions. The point of order Schumer proposed regarding the first article of impeachment found a slim majority. It was deemed unconstitutional with a close vote of 51-48.
Continuing the contentious process, Schumer faced opposition when seeking unanimous consent for a more structured debate and voting session. Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., notably objected to this request, which led to further voting under the cloud of partisan division.
The debate over the second impeachment article was equally fraught. Senator Schumer’s second point of order, relating to this article, also faced numerous motions aiming to adjourn or delay it, but these were similarly defeated.
The Senate's decision on Schumer's second point of order occurred under tight scrutiny, finally passing with an even more narrowly divided vote of 51-49. This marked an end to the proceedings against Mayorkas.
Throughout the debate, significant concerns were expressed by members on both sides of the aisle. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lamented the potential repercussions of the process: "This process must not be abused. It must not be short-circuited. History will not judge this moment well."
On the other side of the debate, Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argued for the necessity of a full trial. He conveyed this during a press conference alongside fellow senators and House impeachment managers, emphasizing the gravity of thoroughly examining the charges.
The incidents surrounding the impeachment reveal a deeper divide in the Senate, particularly on serious judicial and procedural matters.
As these impeachment proceedings have now concluded with the Senate's votes, political analysts are left to ponder the long-term effects of these decisions on public trust and the legislative process. The event will remain a point of contention and reflection in U.S. political discourse.
Ultimately, the Senate's decision to end the impeachment proceedings against Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by declaring the charges unconstitutional illuminates and deepens the partisan divide, showcasing the complexities of legal and moral judgments in the nation’s highest offices.
