Impeachment

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today following Senate acquittal in the impeachment trial of President Trump.

After a 2-week trial, the U.S. Senate has delivered impartial justice. Make no mistake: Senate acquittal is the final judgment, forever clearing President Trump.

The House clearly made serious mistakes. Never before has a President been impeached with no underlying crime, no defense counsel, and not a single Republican vote. It was purely partisan and totally political.

The House overstepped its authority. The Senate, however, according to the Constitution, has the final word. The Senate followed the law. The Senate held a fair trial. We used the bipartisan Clinton trial format. These rules ensured both sides full and equal time.

Let's not forget: In the House, the President's rights were ignored. He had no voice, no due process, no defense. The Senate allowed the President to defend himself, and his defense team presented a fact- based case. White House lawyers detailed the President's legitimate, long-held concerns over Ukraine corruption. The President's legal team made a strong case against the House impeachment articles.

House managers, meanwhile, failed to prove their case. Rather than focus on facts, they appeared to be playing to the cameras. Incredibly, House managers attacked the Senate jury, accusing Republicans of ``corruption'' and ``cover-up.'' House managers played for time, repeating speeches, demanding more witnesses we didn't need. In reality, it was a weak case. There were no offenses that rose to the Constitution's requirement of ``Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.''

The House process was one-sided from the start. For political purposes, Speaker Pelosi rushed the impeachment vote by Christmas, claiming urgency. Then her sense of urgency disappeared. She proceeded to delay the Senate trial for 4 weeks. The Speaker waited 33 days to send us the Articles of Impeachment. This begs the question: Why delay the removal of a President the Democrats in the House claim is ``dangerous''?

Still, the Speaker insisted this spectacle was ``solemn,'' even prayerful. Then came her strangely irreverent signing ceremony. Nothing says solemn like souvenir signing pens.

The bottom line is: Partisan impeachment is poison--poison--for our democracy. Senate acquittal is the antidote. Impeachment has hurt and divided this country. It has also delayed important work on behalf of the American people. Congress needs to now come together and move forward.

Look at the incredible results we are already seeing under this President. Thanks to tax and regulatory relief, our economy is booming. American workers are winning.

We are seeing record job growth: 7 million new jobs, 500,000 new manufacturing jobs, and 50-year-low unemployment. Middle-class and blue-collar wages are rising. Household wealth is soaring. Consumer confidence is at record highs. Add to that the President's America- first trade deals. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal, deals with China, Japan, they are a boon for our farmers and for our workers. What is more, we have unleashed American energy. The U.S. is now No. 1 in oil and in natural gas. We no longer need Middle East oil. We have also confirmed 187 highly qualified Federal judges. Above all, we are keeping the country safe and secure. President Trump has completely rebuilt our military.

Yet partisan impeachment has blocked progress. Congress has learned its lesson: Impeachment, if it is to ever happen again, must be bipartisan, fair, and rare. Senate acquittal is the final judgment.

Now, we are back to work for the American people. We are looking forward to the important work ahead, to continuing our progress on priorities like lowering prescription drug costs, securing our border, and fixing our aging roads and bridges.

The 2020 Presidential election is fast approaching. In fact, voting has already occurred in Iowa. It is time for the American people to decide who serves as President. It is time for Congress to get back to work. Thank you.

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