News: House Republicans are clashing with the Department of Homeland Security over whether Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will testify during the House GOP effort to impeach him.
Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to Mayorkas this morning requesting written testimony for the panel’s impeachment inquiry, which is expected to wrap up this month. Read the letter, which we obtained first.
Republicans had wanted Mayorkas to appear in person this week but he declined, citing a conflicting meeting with Mexican officials. DHS officials counter that Mayorkas hasn’t been permitted to testify in the probe despite their efforts to find another date that works for both sides.
Republicans say that’s not true. Here’s more from Green’s letter:
The House Republican investigation into Mayorkas’ handling of the issues at the U.S.-Mexico border has been underway for about a year. But some Republicans were talking about impeaching Mayorkas before they even had control of the House. And the effort comes as Republicans are simultaneously pursuing a separate impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
DHS response: DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said the committee has failed to find an agreeable date to have Mayorkas testify, claiming Republicans didn’t reach out to the department to collaborate. Mayorkas has testified before Congress 27 times, more than any other Cabinet official.
“This is just the latest example of Committee Republicans’ sham process. It’s abundantly clear that they are not interested in hearing from Secretary Mayorkas since it doesn’t fit into their bad-faith, predetermined and unconstitutional rush to impeach him,” Ehrenberg said.
What’s next: The committee has held one hearing in its impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas. The panel will have its second and final impeachment hearing on Thursday.
Arizona Sheriff Mark Dannels and Tammy Nobles, whose daughter was allegedly killed by an MS-13 gang member, will testify. Nobles previously testified before the House Judiciary Committee.
— Mica Soellner
