Donna Shalala implores impeachment for legacy to future generations

Donna Shalala's anti vaping measure advances through the House.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala of Miami took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives  early Wednesday to implore impeachment of President Donald Trump to secure Constitutional legacy for future generations.

Shalala spoke as House members debated procedures Wednesday morning, in advance of the main show expected Wednesday evening when the full house will vote on two articles of impeachment against Trump. As has been the case at all other proceedings thus far, Republicans were condemning proceedings as unfair and trying to stop them with procedural moves, while contending there is no evidence to impeach Trump.

Those moves were being swatted away by Democratic leadership.

Shalala joined Democrats’ themes, beginning her time on the floor declaring “We know” that Trump held up military aid to Ukraine to pursue personal, political assistance, and that he blocked Congressional attempts to investigate.

“Despite the unprecedented obstruction from the president, the evidence in this case is powerful enough that to delay this vote any further would risk interference in the 2020 election and the permanent erosion of our system of checks and balances,” Shalala said.

“Madam Speaker, this is not a matter of politics. This is about protecting the integrity of our democracy for the next generation. As we labor to pass on to future generations many of the great hallmarks of our society, we must also work with active stewardship and vigilance to pass on a vibrant and functional democracy,” Shalala said. “If we don’t do our duty to protect the Constitution, the republic that we hand our children will be less vibrant. If we don’t due our duty to protect the Constitution, the republic will be less resilient and less effective.”