20 House Members Demand Eric Holder's Impeachment

On Thursday, Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) officially introduced his Articles of Impeachment resolution against Attorney General Eric Holder. 

The resolution cites a string of allegations against Holder, such as involvement in Operation Fast and Furious, refusal to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and various drug laws, refusal to prosecute IRS officials responsible for leaking confidential GOP donor tax information, and misleading testimony before Congress this year about whether he approved invasive investigative tactics against reporters like Fox News’ James Rosen.

Olson was joined by 19 of his House colleagues. Members who joined Olson on the resolution as original cosponsors include Reps. Larry Buschon (R-IN), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Phil Roe (R-TN), Randy Weber (R-TX), Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), Roger Williams (R-TX), Ted Yoho (R-FL) Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Bill Flores (R-TX), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Sam Johnson (R-TX), Steve Stockman (R-TX), Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Thomas Massie (R-KY). 

Support for Olson’s resolution has been gaining steam in the House over the past couple of days since he first announced he was going to introduce it. When news first broke of Olson working on the matter, he had seven cosponsors. Shortly thereafter, he had 10 cosponsors. Now, as he has officially introduced the legislation, he has a small coalition in Congress ready to impeach Holder.

When introducing the resolution with Articles of Impeachment for Holder, Olson said, “for nearly five years, Attorney General Holder has systematically deceived Congress and destroyed the credibility of the Justice Department in the eyes of the American people.”

“During his tenure, Mr. Holder refused to cooperate with a congressional investigation into Operation Fast and Furious and the resulting death of a Border Patrol agent, refused to prosecute IRS officials who unlawfully disclosed private tax records to third party groups, and misled Congress about his involvement in the investigation of a journalist,” Olson said. “Last year, the House voted to hold Mr. Holder in contempt of Congress, making him the first sitting cabinet member to ever hold this dubious distinction. Still, he continued mislead and thwart congressional efforts to bring the truth to the American people. 

“Mr. Holder has failed to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed and continues to act in a manner unbefitting of a cabinet official. I urge my colleagues to join me in beginning this process by cosponsoring this measure now. The American people deserve answers and accountability.”

Yoho, another congressman who is one of the original cosponsors, said in a release about the resolution that impeachment is a last resort that the Founding Fathers left in the Constitution for times like this.

“Impeachment proceedings are a safety valve our Founding Fathers granted Congress in the event that an official is so negligent in their duties that drastic action must be taken,” Yoho said. “The Attorney General’s blatant disregard for the law has brought us to this point. Officials should be held accountable to the citizens they serve and it is our duty to bring that accountability back to government. It is time we restore justice to the very department that shares its name.”