How Texas lawmakers voted
WASHINGTON — Texans voted along party lines as the House on Wednesday impeached President Donald Trump for the second time.
Democrats called Trump an “insurrectionist” and said he is a “clear and present danger.” While no Texas Republican members of the House voted to impeach Trump, several condemned his actions and a couple said they may well be impeachable.
Here’s what the Texas delegation said as Trump became the only president in history to be impeached twice.
Five Texans in the House did not speak during the debate over the measure or issue statements explaining their votes: August Pfluger, R-san Angelo; Kay Granger, R-fort Worth; Pete Sessions, R-waco; John Carter, R-round Rock; Filemon Vela, D-brownsville.
House members who voted yes
Rep. Colin Allred, Ddallas
“In order to heal, there must be accountability. In order to protect democracy, we had to act.”
Rep. Joaquin Castro, Dsan Antonio
“Donald Trump is the most dangerous man to ever occupy the Oval Office. If inciting a deadly insurrection is not enough to get a president impeached, then what is?”
Rep. Henry Cuellar, Dlaredo
“We have to make sure we stand up for democracy. If we don’t do this, then what are we going to stand for? We stand for democracy, we stand for American values, and I stand for the impeachment of Donald Trump.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Dsan Antonio
“Today we not only demand accountability for his gross misconduct, but more importantly we declare to the next Trumplike aspiring tyrant: ‘Not in America, we love our democracy too much.’”
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-EL Paso
“Donald J. Trump, our greatest national security threat, must be impeached, held accountable and never be allowed to hold office again.”
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, Dhouston
“I was in this chamber when the president assembled and unleashed a mob to attack the United States Capitol and the United States Congress, the elected representatives of the people. By doing so, he incited an insurrection against our representative democracy itself.”
Rep. Sylvia Garcia, Dhouston
“No one is above the law. That is why today I cast my vote to impeach this unfit president.”
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-mcallen
“Aside from last Wednesday, today is one of my saddest days serving in the United States Congress.”
Rep. Al Green, D-houston
“This second impeachment is the only way to send a resounding message to not only President Trump but to his supporters — and anyone who considers seeking public trust — that such an abuse of power will never be tolerated in the United States of America.”
Rep. Sheila Jackson
Lee, D-houston
“He led an insurrection against the United States of America. The president provoked these domestic terrorists with words, with action and conduct that betrayed and have contempt and hostility to the national value of equal justice under the law.”
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-dallas
“We cannot in good conscience move forward as a nation without addressing the events of January 6th and assigning responsibility.”
Rep. Marc Veasey, Dfort Worth
“Let’s be clear about one thing: If we were on the eve of a Republican president being sworn in and his Democratic predecessor had said the same thing this president said and incited his followers, his mob, to descend up on the Capitol, we would be joining them, not making comparisons.”
House members who voted no
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-lubbock
“The president didn’t incite a riot. The president didn’t lead an insurrection. I’m not saying the president didn’t exercise poor judgment, but to criminalize political speech by blaming lawless acts on the president’s rhetoric is wrong and a very dangerous precedent.”
Rep. Brian Babin, Rwoodville
“This impeachment is purely about political posturing and a catchy CNN headline — it’s a disgrace.”
Rep. Kevin Brady, Rthe Woodlands
“Those calling for impeachment or invoking the 25th Amendment in response to President Trump’s rhetoric this week are themselves engaging in intemperate and inflammatory language and calling for action that is equally irresponsible and could well incite further violence.”
Rep. Michael Burgess, R-pilot Point
“The rioters who stormed the Capitol were wrong and should be held accountable, but it is time for America to heal.”
Rep. Michael Cloud, Rvictoria
“Sadly, under current Democratic leadership, impeachment has become a politicized tool — part of the cancel culture movement of the left to silence dissent.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Rhouston
Crenshaw said he couldn’t support impeachment because the process lacked a “sober review of the facts.” He added that Trump at his rally outside the White House last week “whipped many of those present into a frenzy that contributed, in part, to the assault on the Capitol resulting in the deaths of several American citizens, including at least one Capitol Hill police officer.”
Rep. Pat Fallon, Rsherman
“Surreal that DC is this hyper-partisan,” Fallon wrote on Facebook. “Sad. Let’s work for ALL Americans and stop this ridiculous infighting. #Enough! #Godblessamerica.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-tyler
“Now the message is, if you have a whim and you want to just go after a president, just go straight to the floor, no investigation, no judiciary committee. Use it as a political weapon as you wish.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales, Rsan Antonio
“America needs a steady hand to calm our nation’s unrest. Today’s vote on impeachment was another partisan move forced by Nancy Pelosi,” Gonzales said in a statement. “We are bitterly divided right now — and this effort only worsens that divide.”
Rep. Lance Gooden, Rterrell
“Democrats couldn’t help themselves with just seven days left. Proud to oppose impeachment yet again.”
Rep. Ronnie Jackson, R-amarillo
“We should prioritize restoring communities devastated by lockdowns, America’s vaccine rollout, and a bipartisan investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack over a divisive impeachment process.”
Rep. Michael Mccaul, R-austin
Mccaul said he opposed impeachment “with a heavy heart” because “rushed justice is not the solution to mob violence.” He added: “And I truly fear there may be more facts that come to light in the future that will put me on the wrong side of this debate.”
Rep. Troy Nehls, Rrichmond
“This impeachment is rushed, preempts any semblance of a proper inquiry into what occurred on January 6th, and throws fuel on the fire of division at a time our country so desperately needs unity and healing.”
Rep. Chip Roy, R-austin
“The president of the United States deserves universal condemnation for what was clearly in my opinion impeachable conduct: Pressuring the vice president to violate his oath to the constitution to count the electors. Unfortunately my Democratic colleagues drafted articles that I believe are flawed and unsupportable.”
Rep. Van Taylor, R-plano
“Impeachment of a president, elected by the American people, requires thorough investigation, congressional hearings, and thoughtful deliberation.”
Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-irving
“I should be in my district working for my constituents, instead I’m back here in Washington because the majority couldn’t resist another made-for-tv impeachment.”
Rep. Randy Weber, Rfriendswood
“Temperatures are still running high and the FBI says more violence is threatened. Now with only eight days remaining in President Trump’s term, attempting to invoke the 25th Amendment or impeaching the president or any other measure attempting to remove him from office will only add fuel to the fire.”
Rep. Roger Williams, R-austin
“Today’s rushed vote on impeachment will only further divide the American people.”
Rep. Ron Wright, R-arlington
“It’s time that we all come together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans.”