The US Senate voted to end the impeachment case against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, ending a Senate trial that had only just begun. Democrats and three independents voted to stop the process, while the Republican-controlled House had impeached Mayorkas in February. The Senate vote split along partisan lines, with Republicans largely voting to continue the impeachment process.
The senators voted against considering the first article of impeachment by a margin of 51-48, with one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, voting present. The vote to kill the second article split 51-49, with Murkowski siding with her party. Three independent senators sided with the Democrats on both votes. This marked the first attempt by Congress to oust a Cabinet secretary in over a century and a half, highlighting the significance of the proceedings.
Individual senators’ votes on the rejection of each article can be seen in the table below. The votes fell largely along party lines, with Democrats and independents voting to end the impeachment process and Republicans voting to continue. The procedural votes brought a swift end to the Senate trial, avoiding a lengthy and potentially contentious process that would have seen Mayorkas removed from office if convicted.
The House impeachment of Mayorkas in February prompted the Senate trial, which ultimately ended with the rejection of the impeachment articles. The close margin of the votes, particularly with Sen. Murkowski’s decision to vote present on the first article, underscores the divisive nature of the proceedings. With the Senate’s decision to end the impeachment case, Mayorkas will remain in his position as Homeland Security Secretary.
Overall, the Senate’s decision to end the impeachment case against Mayorkas brings an end to a rare and significant attempt to remove a Cabinet secretary from office. The split along party lines in the votes highlights the partisan nature of the proceedings, with Democrats and independents voting to stop the process and Republicans voting to continue. Mayorkas will continue to serve as Homeland Security Secretary following the Senate’s decision.
