Impeachment Update and Upcoming Town Halls
In 1787 when Benjamin Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention, a group of citizens asked what kind of government the Convention had created. Franklin's response was: "A republic, if you can keep it." The President's recent attempts to blackmail a foreign government into interfering in the 2020 Presidential election undermine the security and independence of our republic. In response, last week Speaker Pelosi launched an official impeachment inquiry. Congress has a Constitutional right and responsibility to hold any official, including the President, responsible – no one is above the law. This is our republic, and we must keep it.
We are in the midst of a Constitutional crisis, and it is our responsibility as citizens to stay informed. I hope that everyone takes the time to review the documents at the center of the impeachment inquiry to understand the severity of the President's abuse of power. Links the three key documents are included below:
- Whistleblower complaint
- Inspector General response to the whistleblower complaint
- Summary of July 25th Trump-Ukraine call
To learn more about the impeachment efforts, please join me at my upcoming town halls this week on Tuesday in Pittsburg and on Thursday in Richmond.
Sincerely,
Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress
AT A GLANCE
In this week's Digest, you will find information on Congressman DeSaulnier's:
- Analysis of the impeachment process;
- Efforts to hold e-cigarette manufacturers accountable; and
- Work in the community.
IMPEACHMENT
Now that an impeachment inquiry has begun, an official investigation is underway in the House. As a Member of one of the Committees of jurisdiction, Congressman DeSaulnier will be working diligently to press for answers and hold the President and his Administration accountable.
Timeline of Events
- July 25, 2019 – President Trump spoke with newly elected Ukrainian President Zelensky and asked him to investigate the Biden family
- August 12, 2019 – Whistleblower files his complaint with the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG)
- August 26, 2019 – The ICIG forwards the whistleblower complaint to the Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
- September 9, 2019 – The ICIG alerts the Chairmen of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees about the existence of the whistleblower complaint
- September 24, 2019 – Speaker Pelosi announces the opening of an official impeachment inquiry.
- September 26, 2019 – Acting DNI testifies before the House Committee on Intelligence
For an in depth analysis of the timeline of events that led the formal impeachment inquiry, click here.
Congressman DeSaulnier discusses the launch of the formal impeachment investigation on September 24th
Mark provides an update on the impeachment inquiry on September 27th
Mark joined Fox News' Leland Vittert to discuss the need for Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, to focus on the facts when it comes to impeachment
Mark sat down with KPIX's Phil Matier to talk about how cut and dry the impeachment process could be if President Trump and Congressional Republicans followed the facts
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Mark Votes to Protect Migrants in Detention
Last week, the House considered two bills that would provide more oversight and accountability of immigration enforcement. Specifically, the Homeland Security Improvement Act (H.R. 2203) would set up a neutral, confidential process to report improper immigration enforcement and to review ICE and CBP's compliance with existing rules and regulations. The U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screenings Standards Act (H.R. 3525) would require a review of how medical screenings are done in immigration custody in order to improve care for migrants. Congressman DeSaulnier voted in support of both bills, and they both passed.
IN COMMITTEE
Mark Takes a Stand Against Vaping Epidemic
Over 500 Americans have now fallen ill due to un-tested e-cigarettes. While the FDA has the authority to remove these products from the market until they undergo safety testing, it has so far refused to act. Last week, Mark questioned the CDC about what needs to be done to encourage federal agencies and private citizens to stop this epidemic from growing. For the full exchange, click the image below.
BY THE NUMBERS
MARK AROUND TOWN
Pittsburg High's Maureen Mattson and Diablo View Middle School's Shay Kornfeld were named Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year
Helms Middle School held a formal opening for its Internationals Academy, a program designed to serve recently arrived immigrant and refugee English learners
