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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) issued the following statement after delivering a letter co-signed by 25 of his colleagues, formally requesting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi utilize a “call of the roll” if she makes the misguided decision to move forward with a vote on H.Res. 660, the so-called “impeachment inquiry” resolution scheduled for consideration in the House tomorrow (10/31/2019):

“These sham impeachment proceedings are nothing but a farce forced on us by the Democrat majority, as a means to the end they have been seeking ever since they lost the 2016 election: the harassment and removal of President Donald J. Trump,” said Babin. “But even my colleagues who disagree with me on that should agree with what we are trying to accomplish with this letter: accountability and transparency for the American people on this incredibly serious matter and important vote. Instead of quietly casting our votes on the electronic system before leaving town for another recess week, we should all stand before our colleagues and the country to answer the question when our name is called one at a time - all 432 of us currently in office from Abraham (A) to Zeldin (Z).” 

The Rules of the House of Representatives (116^th, Rule XX, Clause 3) specifically allows for a vote by a verbal “call of the roll” in alphabetical order instead of the customary vote by electronic device, but leaves that decision up to the Speaker to be made at the time of the vote. The letter from Rep. Babin and his colleagues urges the Speaker to exercise that authority on H.Res. 660 and any subsequent impeachment votes.

Co-signing the letter with Rep. Babin were 25 Republican Representatives: Paul Gosar (AZ), Rick Crawford (AR), Scott DesJarlais (TN), Duncan Hunter (CA), Fred Keller (PA), Doug LaMalfa (CA), Scott Perry (PA), Randy Weber (TX), Tom Rice (SC), Bill Posey (FL), Roger Williams (TX), Buddy Carter (GA), Andy Biggs (AZ), Jeff Duncan (SC), Ted Yoho (FL), Ken Buck (CO), Morgan Griffith (VA), Phil Roe (TN), Dan Newhouse (WA), Garret Graves (LA), Ralph Norman (SC), Andy Harris (MD), Mike Johnson (LA), Ron Wright (TX), and Dan Crenshaw (TX).

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