House GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues

DposNews - November 24, 2019 - puck

Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee this week criticized the focus by Democrats on an impeachment inquiry into President TrumpDonald John TrumpApple CEO Tim Cook promises to fight for DACA, user privacy DOJ urges Supreme Court to side with Trump in ongoing legal battle over tax returns Giuliani associate willing to inform Congress of meeting between Nunes and former Ukrainian official: report MORE, saying the process was distracting attention from national security priorities.

In a letter to committee Chairman Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonHillicon Valley: FCC moves against Huawei, ZTE | Dem groups ask Google to reconsider ads policy | Bill introduced to increase data access during probes House GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Hillicon Valley: Senators ask Trump to halt Huawei licenses | Warren criticizes Zuckerberg over secret dinner with Trump | Senior DHS cyber official to leave | Dems offer bill on Libra oversight MORE (D-Miss.) made public on Friday, the Republican committee members, led by ranking member Rep. Mike RogersMichael (Mike) Dennis RogersHillicon Valley: FCC moves against Huawei, ZTE | Dem groups ask Google to reconsider ads policy | Bill introduced to increase data access during probes House GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues The Hill’s Campaign Report: Red-state governors races pose test for Trump MORE (R-Ala.) noted their “concern” that the “Democrat majority’s overwhelming preoccupation with its partisan quest to impeach the President is undermining the ability of our Committee to move critically needed legislation to secure the homeland.”

“In the mist of impeachment, the majority has failed to make progress on important homeland security legislative priorities such as securing the border, safeguarding chemical facilities from acts of terrorism, protecting vulnerable public and private networks from cyber threats, or moving a comprehensive authorization of the Department of Homeland Security,” the Republican members also wrote.

Among cybersecurity challenges facing the country, the Republican committee members specifically noted the increase in ransomware attacks across the country this year.

Targets of those attacks have included schools and government entities, and the Republicans took issue with the full committee not yet considering legislation that has been introduced to help address them.

“We urge you to reject the divisive politics of impeachment and work with us to solve these challenges in a bipartisan manner,” the Republican members wrote.

Every Republican member of the House Homeland Security Committee signed the letter, including Reps. Pete KingPeter (Pete) KingHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Retiring lawmaker’s 2018 opponent won’t run for seat, citing ‘difficult’ pregnancies House panel advances flavored e-cigarette ban MORE (N.Y.), Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Texas GOP congressman calls on governor to postpone execution of Rodney Reed House Republicans add Hunter Biden, whistleblower to impeachment hearing witness wish list MORE (Texas), John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Progressive group unveils first slate of 2020 congressional endorsements Democratic lawmakers call on Judiciary Committee to advance ‘revenge porn’ law MORE (N.Y.), Mark WalkerBradley (Mark) Mark WalkerHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues North Carolina poised to pass new congressional maps Intercollegiate athletics just got a two-minute warning MORE (N.C.), Clay HigginsGlen (Clay) Clay HigginsVA under pressure to ease medical marijuana rules 58 GOP lawmakers vote against disaster aid bill GOP lawmaker vows to catch those responsible for string of arsons at black churches in Louisiana MORE (La.), Debbie Lesko (Ariz.), Mark GreenMark GreenHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Honoring service before self To fight Mexican drug cartels, we must designate them Foreign Terrorist Organizations MORE (Tenn.), Van TaylorNicholas (Van) Van Campen Taylor58 GOP lawmakers vote against disaster aid bill Freshman House Dems surge past GOP in money race Bipartisan group introduces legislation to protect federal workers’ health benefits during shutdowns MORE (Texas), John JoyceJohn JoyceGOP moves to block provision banning use of Defense funds for border wall 58 GOP lawmakers vote against disaster aid bill Republicans offer ‘free market alternative’ to paid family leave MORE (Pa.), Dan CrenshawDaniel CrenshawHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Saagar Enjeti: Crenshaw’s conservatism will doom future of GOP Conservatives seek to stifle new ‘alt-right’ movement steeped in anti-Semitism MORE (Texas) and Michael GuestMichael GuestHouse GOP criticizes impeachment drive as distracting from national security issues Border Patrol chief ‘extremely offended’ by Ocasio-Cortez’s concentration camp comments MORE (Miss.).

A Democratic aide told The Hill that the letter was “confusing,” saying the committee has approved 62 mostly bipartisan bills and held over 40 hearings since the start of the current Congress.

“The highlighted issues are generally issues we are also concerned with and will continue the work we have already done on those issues next year, when in our jurisdiction,” the aide said.