It’s been quite a show on Capitol Hill this week with cameras flooding the halls of Congress as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff held the first public hearings since Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats launched their Soviet-style impeachment inquiry almost two months ago.
Historically, impeachment has been a neutral process – but not this time around. It has been partisan since day one: Republicans have been denied co-equal subpoena power and President Trump has not been awarded due process. Until this week, the proceedings have been secretive, though the information finding was all unclassified. By holding hearings behind closed doors, Mr. Schiff was solely trying to control what information was made public.
We still haven’t heard from the whistleblower, but here is what we do know:
None of the Democrats’ witnesses have firsthand knowledge of President Trump's objectives with Ukraine.
In testimony before the Intelligence Committee, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said, “What I can do here for you today is tell you what I heard from people.” Even the Democrats’ star witness admitted he was relying on hearsay.
The transcripts of President Trump’s calls with Ukraine show no discussion of military aid or conditionality of receiving funds, and both leaders have repeatedly said there was no pressure to open any political investigations.
The witnesses know just as much as you and me, thanks to the White House releasing transcripts of President Trump's calls with Ukraine. Between the transcripts and testimonies that we heard this week, it could not be clearer: There was no quid pro quo.
At the time of the phone calls, Ukraine did not know the aid had not been released.
As the transcripts confirm, President Trump never raised the topic of assistance during the phone calls. While there was a delay in assistance, it was not a tactic to pressure political investigations like Democrats claim.
The security assistance was provided, and Ukraine did not have to take any action for that aid to flow.
Democrats are making allegations that President Trump used the aid as leverage, but the evidence shows that is false. The Office of Management and Budget released security assistance on September 11, 2019 without any political investigations occurring.
I believe the witnesses are simply unelected bureaucrats at the State Department who disagree with President Trump on foreign policy. With Ukraine’s history rooted deep in corruption, it is completely appropriate for the President to ask a foreign country what they are doing to address corruption.
It’s clear that Mr. Schiff and the Democrats on the committee are not interested in finding the facts, but are just pursuing their ultimate goal of undermining Donald Trump’s presidency. As this process moves forward, I will continue to keep you updated and fight against this sham.
Honoring our veterans.
Congressman Rick W. Allen attends the Forces United Veterans Day Celebration in Augusta, as well as the Augusta-CSRA Veterans Day Observance and Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home Veterans Day Ceremony.
Supporting National Apprenticeship Week.
Congressman Rick W. Allen speaks on the House floor in support of how apprenticeships prepare our workforce.
Interested in interning for my office?
Spring 2020 internship opportunities are available in my Washington, D.C. and Augusta offices. To learn more or to apply, please visit my website: https://allen.house.gov/forms/internships/
Georgia will receive $153 million in grants to improve public safety and combat human trafficking.
These U.S. Department of Justice grants will help our law enforcement professionals to investigate and prosecute these brutal criminals while helping survivors access resources to help them heal.
Apprenticeship programs are absolutely vital to preparing and developing the next generation of skilled workers. By connecting employers directly to their future workforce, Americans can learn technical skills while gaining valuable work experience, and these programs are successful.
That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor H.R. 4369, which promotes and expands access to apprenticeships, including those for members of the armed services and our veterans. These programs help our veterans transition into civilian service, and there are currently 47,000 veterans participating in an apprenticeship program.
Do you have a bill that you would like to see highlighted or that you would like me to support? Share your thoughts with me! You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
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