Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush Archives

Missouri U.S. House members vote along party lines to impeach Trump

January 13, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted today 232-197 to impeach President Donald Trump for the second time. Missouri’s U.S. House members voted along party lines with Republicans voting against and Democrats supporting articles of impeachment. Ten Republicans from other states joined Democrats in voting for impeachment.

U.S. Capitol dome courtesy of the U.S. House

House Democrats have led the effort after Trump urged rally supporters last week to march to the U.S. Capitol and “pressure” lawmakers to object to the election certification process. Rioters hit the Capitol – leaving behind a trail of destruction and violence that killed five people. The House charged Trump with “inciting violence against the government of the United States” and requesting his immediate removal from office and disqualification from ever holding one again.

During debate today, southeast Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith, a steadfast Trump ally who objected to certifying election results last week, says impeaching the president is reckless.

“This will only bring up the hate and fire more than ever before. Have a conscience,” says Smith. “Put the people before politics. Unify this country. President Trump will be leaving in seven days. Let’s try to heal this nation. Let’s listen to the American people. This is the people’s house. Let’s operate for the people. This country is hurting. The people are hurting. Our colleagues are hurting.”

Kansas City Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who co-sponsored the articles of impeachment, says Trump must be held accountable for inciting a domestic terror attack on America’s government. He says for the safety of the American people and our democracy, the President needs to be removed from office immediately.

On the floor today, newly-elected Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush, a Democrat from St. Louis and an activist, used strong words to describe Trump.

“If we fail to remove a white supremacist president who incited a white supremacist insurrection, it’s communities like Missouri’s first district that suffer the most,” says Bush. “The 117 Congress must understand that we have a mandate to legislate in defense of Black lives. The first step in that process is to root out white supremacy, starting with impeaching the white supremacist-in-chief.”

As for Trump, he has released a statement saying that there are reports of more similar coming. He urges that there be no violence, no law breaking and no vandalism of any kind. Trump says that is not what he stands for, nor what America stands for.

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, has reportedly said he would not agree to use emergency powers to bring the Senate back into session for a trial before January 19. President-elect Joe Biden is set to be sworn into office on January 20.

Missouri officials asked if Hawley should resign

January 12, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Calls for the resignation of Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley continue to trickle in, along with some Republican allies and corporate donors pulling their support for him. The political backfire follows his efforts to challenge President-Elect Joe Biden’s election victory and the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol that followed last week.

“I will never apologize for giving voice to the millions of Missourians and Americans who have concerns about the integrity of our elections,” a statement from Hawley says in a statement. “That’s my job, and I will keep doing it.”

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley greets a supporter at GOP headquarters in Winchester on October 23, 2018. (File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI)

Former Missouri U.S. Senator John Danforth says working to get Hawley elected to the Senate was “the worst mistake I ever made in my life.”

Two megadonors have pulled their support from Hawley – Joplin businessman David Humphreys and St. Louis businessman Sam Fox.

Book publisher Simon & Schuster has canceled publication of Hawley’s upcoming book.

During an Inauguration Day press conference Monday at the Missouri capitol in Jefferson City, Gov. Mike Parson was asked if Hawley, a fellow Republican, should resign. Parson is not touching that question for the time being.

“There’s been a lot of discussion on this. We’ll be talking about Washington, D.C. every day from here after probably on some level,” says Parson. “You know, everybody has to be responsible for the decisions they make, good or bad and different. That’s what I’ll say. Again, today is about the bicentennial and about being sworn in as 57th governor. This is a special day for me and my family. It’s a special day for our state.”

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, does not appear to support calls for Hawley’s resignation.

“He has a job to do just like I do and I’m sure he’ll do it. He’s very smart and I’m pleased to get the chance to work with him. We did not agree on this issue the day he announced this challenge, and Ted Cruz’s challenge,” Blunt tells Missourinet. “I think it’s time to move on and remember, half of the Republicans in the House of Representatives had a similar position.”

Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, along with Congressmen Jason Smith, Billy Long, Sam Graves and Blaine Luetkemeyer, backed Hawley’s election challenge efforts. They are all strong allies of President Donald Trump.

Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner of Ballwin, St. Louis Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush, Kansas City Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Blunt voted to uphold the election results.

Missourinet has contacted Hawley’s office multiple times seeking responses about these matters.