Republicans force delay of Mayorkas impeachment trial

By Burgess Everett | 04/10/2024 06:22 AM EDT

Senate GOP leaders want to shore up attendance on their side before a showdown.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during the president's State of the Union address last month. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The House won’t send impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate until Monday, giving the GOP more time to game out a strategy.

House Republicans had initially planned to present the articles on Wednesday, likely culminating in a Thursday dismissal of the trial.

But GOP senators want to avoid any absences on their side, tightening Democrats’ margin for error in the 51-49 chamber. That could mean every Democratic senator would have to vote to table or dismiss in order to avoid a lengthy impeachment trial.

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“To ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week. There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,” said Taylor Haulsee, a spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

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