U.S. House of Representatives 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 U.S. House members vote along party lines to decriminalize marijuana at federal level

December 7, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted largely along party lines in favor of decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Missouri’s Democratic members voted in support and Republicans voted against the plan. GOP Congresswoman Ann Wagner did not vote on the measure.

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

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and create a process to eliminate low-level federal marijuana convictions and arrests. It would allow a 5% sales tax on marijuana products to invest in services like job training, legal aid and substance misuse treatment. The revenue would also provide funds for small businesses loans and allow access to marijuana licensing and employment for economically disadvantaged individuals.

Bill sponsor Jerry Nadler, a Democratic Congressman from New York says the longtime federal drug policy has been particularly felt by minorities because it has kept some of them from getting jobs.

Outgoing Congressman Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, says by passing the MORE Act, the House is taking a historic step towards finally ending the federal prohibition on marijuana, advancing criminal justice reform, and helping level the economic playing field.

The plan would still leave it up to states to decide whether to pass their own regulations on marijuana sales.

On the House floor Friday, West-central Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler spoke against the plan.

“This MORE Act would grant the marijuana industry unfettered access to our nation’s youth by allowing the sale of edibles and flavored marijuana vapes and permitting marijuana businesses to be located within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, private kindergartens, public parks and recreational facilities,” she says. “The bill also opens the flood gates for advertising high-potency and extremely dangerous products on TV and social media – a place where our kids are spending countless hours every day.”

The legislation is expected to have an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate.