The Massachusetts Impeachment Coalition
Capuano (D-MA) “considering all options”, won’t back H. Res. 333
From Bostonians for the Overthrow of King George we have finally gotten some information from Michael Capuano’s (D-MA) office. It appears that although he is “considering all options” he refuses to sign on to H. Res. 333 — Dennis Kucinich’s (D-OH) articles of impeachment against Cheney — because he believes that the resolution creates an indictment without first necessitating an investigation.
But Capuano can’t have it both ways. If he truly supports considering all options, including impeachment, then he must either publicly state support for starting impeachment hearings or he must co-sponsor H. Res. 333. To do neither is to say with one’s actions that “considering all options” does not include impeachment.
Read below for Capuano’s letter to his constituent.
July 29, 2007
Dear ______:
Thank you for contacting my office regarding H.Res. 333, Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s legislation calling for the impeachment of Vice President Cheney. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue.
I am deeply disturbed by the actions of Vice President Cheney with respect to a whole host of issues. I strongly believe that his actions regarding the war in Iraq should be thoroughly investigated and addressed as appropriate, and I do not believe that any option should be off the table.
However, at this time I am not a co-sponsor of H.Res. 333, because it consists of articles impeachment without first requiring an investigation to establish official documented evidence of those stated articles. You may be aware that when the House considered impeaching President Nixon, for example, it was only after a thorough congressional investigation established a strong case documented by evidence that articles of impeachment were introduced. I believe the House has the responsibility to conduct a full investigation of any executive branch official it suspects of malfeasance, including the Vice President. I believe that if the House skips the critical investigative stage and proceeds directly to an indictment, we are no better than the Administration we are questioning.
I am currently considering all options available to the Congress that will hold the Vice President accountable to the American people and answerable for his actions. I thank you for contacting me and I will keep your views in mind.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Capuano
Member of Congress