GOP lawmaker introduces measure to remove Nadler as Judiciary chairman

Freshman Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) introduced a resolution aimed at removing House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) from his role as the top Democrat on the panel responsible for handling impeachment proceedings. 

The Republican-backed resolution comes as an influx of Democrats come out in support of moving forward with articles of impeachment following reports that President Trump threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated former Vice President Joe Biden and his son. 

{mosads}According to Gooden, the resolution “would formally recognize the illegality of impeachment proceedings,” arguing authorization is needed for the committee to move forward with impeachment proceedings.  

“In recent days Democrats have sanctimoniously declared their allegiance to the rule of law. I encourage them to follow those rules and hold Chairman Nadler accountable for breaking them,” he said in a statement. 

“By law, he may not launch impeachment proceedings until the full House votes for him to do so. This attempted coup against a duly-elected, sitting president is unprecedented and must be stopped. I urge the Majority to move immediately to have him stripped of his chairmanship and that any accomplices on the Judiciary Committee not be considered as a replacement.” 

The majority of Republicans have vehemently defended the president as he faces allegations of abusing his power to get an edge on a political opponent, with his top allies in the House blasting talk of impeachment as a “political witch hunt.” 

The House Democratic Caucus is slated to gather for a meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss the path forward on impeachment.