Congressman Dennis Kucinich

On April 24, 2007, Kucinich introduced H. Res. 333, the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President. The first two charges focus on the Vice President’s successful effort to mislead the Congress and American public into a war against Iraq. The last charge focuses upon the Vice President’s determination to again mislead the Congress and American public into a war, this time against Iran. Since the Vice President has been escalating his belligerence stance toward Iran, Congressman Kucinich believes it to be urgent to move the impeachment resolution.

On the House floor, the privileged resolution, which contained the text of H. Res. 333, prevailed over an attempt to table it and was then referred to the Judiciary Committee. Hearings were reportedly promised when the privileged resolution was brought to the House floor and Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers (D-MI), urging him to hold hearings.

H. Res. 333 had 27 cosponsors. Members of the Judiciary Committee have spoken out in support of impeachment hearings. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have since petitioned the House of Representatives to demand impeachment of the Vice President.

Legislation to Impeach President Bush

It is our obligation as Members of Congress to uphold the Constitution and be vigilant for Democracy. The idea that Congress should take Impeachment "off the table" licenses further crimes of not only of this Administration, but also of future Administrations. Congress should not be a party to the dismantling of the authority and the responsibility of the House of Representatives. The very existence of the House of Representatives is predicated on being a check and balance to the Executive conduct of office. There is no question that George Bush has not only violated US laws but has violated international laws.

The question is not whether Congress is near an election, but whether we are nearer to the Constitution. This is not simply a matter of this particular President, but of all future Presidents. Our unwillingness to act will enable a future president to take the same path of destruction of Constitutional principles in the face of a compliant Congress.

On June 10, 2008, Congressman Kucinich offered H. Res. 1258, which contained 35 articles of impeachment that catalogued the impeachable offenses of George W. Bush. It had 11 cosponsors. On July 15, Congressman Kucinich introduced H. Res. 1345, a single article of impeachment of George W. Bush. It had 4 cosponsors. On July 25, his efforts resulted in a major hearing on the topic in the House Judiciary Committee, at which he gave testimony.