New Mexico Impeachment Resolution Goes to Rules Committee

[reprehensor]

(Moderators, permission to post in full granted by author. -r.)

VIA the independent Mother Media newsletter

New Mexico Resolution to Impeach President and Vice President in Senate Rules Committee Hearing this Friday, Feb 9th

Contact: Leland Lehrman, Impeach Bush and Cheney New Mexico, [phone]

Back on January 23rd, Senators Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque) and John Grubesic (D-Santa Fe) introduced Senate Joint Resolution 5, to Impeach President Bush and Vice-President Cheney. Along with six other Democratic Senators, including the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Cisco McSorley (D-Albuquerque), they charged the President with lying to Congress to provoke war, illegal spying on Americans, ordering torture and ordering illegal detentions in violation of statute and the Constitution. Over one hundred citizens assembled for the two hour press conference on that date, nearly half of whom spoke passionately from the podium in favor of the resolution. New Mexico TV Station KRQE ran the story on the evening news including an interview with the Senator. (1)

Jack Cafferty of CNN covered the event and reported, " House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said impeachment is quote, 'off the table' not everybody is so sure about that," explained Cafferty. "Two New Mexico state senators have introduced a resolution calling on Congress to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. The measure accuses Mr. Bush and Cheney of misleading Congress about the war in Iraq, torturing prisoners and violating Americans' civil liberties through the domestic spy program. One of the sponsors told a crowd of supporters 'We created a ripple. Your voice is going to turn it into a tidal wave hopefully.' Well the way it works is that a state of course, cannot mandate impeachment of a president but the impeachment charges can be forwarded to the House of Representatives.... The fact that the issue of impeaching a sitting president is being discussed seriously in a state legislature like New Mexico's speaks volumes." (2)

Now, the pro-impeachment Senators will meet their first challenge in the Senate Rules Committee on Februrary 9th at 9AM in Room 321 of the New Mexico State Capitol Building. Organizers expect a huge turnout at the hearing and have fielded expert witnesses, veterans and religious figures to testify. Groundswell support for impeachment has begun as the President ignores the nation and elections regarding the war in Iraq and hostility towards Iran. According to Newsweek, 51% of Americans believe impeachment should be either a high or medium priority.(3) Over the past weekend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. interviewed Sean Penn who made the case for impeachment on Air America (4) and four pro-impeachment editorials appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican's Sunday editorial section (5).

Three citizen editorials (6) ran alongside that of James Bamford, NSA chronicler and plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit against the NSA and the Administration over warrantless wiretaps. Bamford pointed out that one of the central charges against Nixon was illegal wiretaps on seventeen phone lines, and that the Bush Administration is guilty of thousands of such wiretaps. Entitled, "Bush Is Not Above the Law," (7) Bamford's editorial spelled out the case against the Administration:

"Last Aug. 17, Judge Anna Diggs Taylor of the United States District Court in Detroit issued her ruling in the A.C.L.U. case. The president, she wrote, had "undisputedly violated" not only the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution, but also statutory law, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Enacted by a bipartisan Congress in 1978, the FISA statute was a response to revelations that the National Security Agency had conducted warrantless eavesdropping on Americans. To deter future administrations from similar actions, the law made a violation a felony punishable by a $10,000 fine and five years in prison."

He concludes, "To allow a president to break the law and commit a felony for more than five years without even a formal independent investigation would be the ultimate subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law."

Although the Bush administration is making some half-hearted attempts to negotiate with the Judicial Branch regarding their illegal programs, the New Mexico Senate has begun formal impeachment proceedings citing Jefferson's Rules of the House which allow impeachment charges to be transmitted by a State Legislature . (8) If the Resolution passes in New Mexico, and these charges are brought before the United States House by any one single Member, a mandatory debate of one hour on the subject is prescribed by the rules of parliamentary procedure. The resolution is then assigned to the US Judiciary Committee. Rep. John Conyers, the current Chair of Judiciary, pointedly declared at the recent antiwar demonstrations in DC that Congress can fire the President. (9)

It may be that a Resolution from a State Legislature is all that's necessary to trigger federal impeachment proceedings. In New Mexico, it's the official policy of the Democratic Party. (10)

(1) http://www.krqe.com/video/expanded.asp?ID=5678
(2) http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=160409
(3) http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/14897
(4) http://www.ringoffireradio.com/
(5) http://sfnewmexican.com
(6) http://mothermedia.org/impeachmentprocedure.htm
(7) http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/opinion/31bamford.html
(8) http://impeachbush.tv/impeach/statebasis.html
(9) http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/013007A.shtml (in the video) & http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17830
(10) http://www.nmdemocrats.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/838875

[burrowowl]

1. All you New Mexicans out there

START CALLING!

[EFerrari]

2. Let's all just be honorary New Mexicans!

:kick:

[Subdivisions]

5. I love New Mexico!

[Quixote1818]

22. Put on a New Mexico aviator. nt

[Pawel K]

10. Where can I get the numbers of who I should call?

[confuddled]

11. See the New Mexico State Legislature site

at http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/
to find your state representative and senator.
Visit Udall's and Bingaman's websites for their contact info.

[burrowowl]

13. Read article, but number here:

Contact: Leland Lehrman, Impeach Bush and Cheney New Mexico, [phone]

[mmonk]

3. Kick for New Mexico

:kick:

[DKRC]

4. Thank you NM!!! nt

[porphyrian]

6. Sweet. - n/t

[Peace Patriot]

7. Groundswell to TIDAL WAVE! Got it! This what democracy looks like!

It's so right and so appropriate that it's starting in a state legislator supported by a groundswell of people who want this Junta removed!

This IS democracy! This is what Thomas Jefferson and our other Founders had in mind: the people holding the government accountable at all levels, and the dispersed power of communities and states serving as the backup "balance of power" to curtail an out-of-control executive, when Congress fails to act.

This is WHY the states have the powers that they have--to control elections, to impose taxes, to build schools, hospitals and roads, and create parks, to maintain a militia (national guard), and to see to the common welfare in every way, at the LOCAL level--because local/state jurisdictions are closer to the people! And this is, in particular, why Jefferson gave the INDIVIDUAL states the power to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President and Vice President, as a privileged resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives (they have to stop all business to consider it). He also gave this power to Grand Juries. He and the other Founders were continually re-enforcing the "balance of powers" and their backups. All three once-sturdy structures in the federal government have been usurped by the Bush Junta--the vast powers of the president in this modern age (huge military machine, among other things), the toady Congress and Supreme Court. The people--even with the handicap of secret vote counting by Bushite corporations--were able to make inroads in the toady Congress, but not sufficient to oust these criminals. The Supreme Court is a lost cause, as to any effective curtailment of the Junta's outrages.

Now it's down to us--at the state level--to restore lawful government at the federal level--by pressuring Congress and forcing it to have some spine. It's a wonderful thing to see this happening. Cheers and kudos to New Mexico, and to all involved!

[reprehensor]

8. Sounds good.

Good luck, NM!

[Independent_Liberal]

9. K&R!

[confuddled]

12. Thanks for the update reprehensor.

Would have missed the Rules Committee meeting if I hadn't seen your post. Having a hard time keeping up with this locally for some reason - like, maybe, stupidity.

[reprehensor]

17. Considering it's not in the "news"

like it should be, it's not such a surprise.

I'm sure you've heard about the crazy astronaut though, whether you wanted to hear about it or not.

[all.of.me]

14. Yay, us!

[DKRC]

15. Call your Reps and tell them to stand up when this is passed by NM.

"If the Resolution passes in New Mexico, and these charges are brought before the United States House by any one single Member, a mandatory debate of one hour on the subject is prescribed by the rules of parliamentary procedure. The resolution is then assigned to the US Judiciary Committee. Rep. John Conyers, the current Chair of Judiciary, pointedly declared at the recent antiwar demonstrations in DC that Congress can fire the President. (9)"

Emphasis is mine.
I'll be calling my Rep. tomorrow along with emailing this piece of good news to his office. Everyone contact your Reps so we have at least one who will stand up and bring it before the House. All we need is one to get it into Conyers hands!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

16. Yes. We have to back these voices of reason.

Big :kick: and recommend! Spread the word.

[pat_k]

18. kick!

[reprehensor]

19. NO MORE CALLS TO ALTAMIRANO, PLEASE!

(Update from Mother Media)

Impeachment Resolution Direct Action Information

Although there was some concern that President Pro Tem Senator Ben Altamirano of Silver City might swing the vote against the majority of the Democrats in Rules, he has now told the us that he is looking favorably on the issue after overwhelming numbers of phone calls in support. He has also requested no more phone calls to his office. Please honor his request. Wrongly accused of having assigned the resolution three committees, Senator Altamirano was feeling much better about the situation when we last heard from his secretary Erlinda Campbell.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez now becomes the main focus of our efforts. The man who assigned the bill three committees, Senator Sanchez expressed his discomfort with the resolution because he feels it is a Federal issue. I explained to him that Jefferson's Rules of the House explicitly allow State Legislatures to initiate impeachment proceedings, but he still maintained his position. I then pointed out that his excellent Joint Memorial Opposing the Real ID Act of 2005 opposes a federal initiative, but he pointed out that he was just trying to keep it out of New Mexico. That is not entirely true, however, because the Memorial states plainly that it requests the New Mexico federal delegation "support measures to repeal the Real ID Act" altogether. Finally I asked him if he would vote for the resolution in Judiciary, at which point he laughed kindly and said to wait until we got there.

I thought at the time that his pleasant attitude was a sign that ultimately he would vote with us. But I'm not so sure. After all, it was he who assigned the bill three committees in the first place, an act on which we should question him. Furthermore, he has expressed displeasure with citizen attempts to take the bill out of Public Affairs in order to save precious limited time in the sixty day session. If we make it through Rules, this will be an important effort. Here's how it works: If the sponsor of a resolution and the Chair of the Committee to which it has been assigned agree that they don't want the bill in that Committee, they can make a motion on the floor of the Senate to take it out of Committee. (I have spoken with the sponsor Sen. Ortiz y Pino, and since the Chairman of Public Affairs Dede Feldman signed the resolution, there is a good chance we can succeed.) The President of the Senate, either Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Ben Altamirano or an appointee, will then ask for unanimous consent to do so. It is unlikely the Republicans will allow this motion to pass so will object, forcing the proceedings to a voice vote. At this point, those in favor will have to say Aye louder than those against say Nay, which is why it now becomes essential to lobby every voice on the Senate for that purpose. If the voice vote is close, there could even be a roll call vote on the subject. Either we win this vote, or we have to go through Public Affairs. It's important that citizens make every effort to counter procedural hurdles to important resolutions, however we may decide against such an effort if the opposition from Senator Sanchez is too fierce.

At this point, respectful phone calls to Michael Sanchez at [phone] may have a very positive effect on the Senator's attitude towards the resolution and its procedural path. Please thank him for his excellent Joint Memorial Opposing the Real ID Act and for his sponsoship of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards and the Land Wildlife and Clean Energy Act. Then ask for his support of the Impeachment Resolution and that he not obstruct its passage through procedural means, of which he has many.

Four other Senators, swing votes we will need on Public Affairs (if we can't get it out) and Judiciary, deserve a phone call, especially if you live in their district: Senator Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces (986-4270), Senator David Ulibarri of Grants (986-4265), Senator Lidio Rainaldi of Gallup (986-4310) and Senator Richard Martinez of Espanola (986-4389). To contact any Senator or Representative to ask for their support for the resolution and note that it might come to a voice vote to get it out of committee, call the Capitol Switchboard at [phone].

Finally, do please come to the Rules Committee Hearing at 9AM this Friday and stay afterwards for some direct action and citizen lobbying. We will be ushering folks in to Senator Sanchez's office as well as those of their own Legislators all day with letters to sign, talking points and copies of the bill. We look forward to seeing you there.

[reprehensor]

20. UPDATE - Hearing moved to February 16th

Update from Mother Media

Rules Committee Hearing Postponed Until Next Friday, Rally and Lobbying To Take Place of Hearing at Roundhouse Same Time.

Calls to Senator Altamirano and Sanchez Still Necessary and Helpful

After hours of back and forth, the previously scheduled Rules Committee hearing tomorrow, Friday, February 9th, 9AM was postponed one week by Chairwoman Linda Lopez. For information on why that happened, feel free to call her office at 986-4737. We encourage everyone to come anyway and lobby Senators personally, especially those from down South where we need the most support with Senators Altamirano and Papen. There are caravans already in motion, and we will all be here to greet them. The rally will again feature the Senate Sponsors Ortiz y Pino and Grubesic as well as citizen speakers.

A direct conversation with Senator Altamirano today indicated that he was not in fact against receiving phone calls, he just wanted people to know that he was not the one who gave the bill three committees. As it turns out, Senator Ortiz y Pino himself gave the bill three committees, hoping it would generate momentum going to the floor vote. Although it will take longer to move the bill, no one can judge the Senator's decision because the outcome is still uncertain. There is still plenty of time to move this bill if it gets enough support from the people. Don't be discouraged.

Also, it's time to engage the Republicans directly. We will need them to understand our position and have it explained to them in the light of day, so that even if they disagree, at least we discussed it as neighbors. Senators Rod Adair of Roswell and Kent Cravens of Albuquerque especially could use some respectful, informed discussion on the matter prior to the hearing. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 986-4300 for all contact information.

And keep the calls coming in to Senators Altamirano and Sanchez. As it turns out, neither is steadfastly opposed to the bill, and Altamirano is inclined to look favorably on it. They are listening to their constituents on the matter and that means its time to let them know how you feel.

[Time4Peace]

21. more please?

:applause:

[Pierzin]

23. Sweeeeeeeet Posting reprehensor!! Soon WA state will join you!

Check it out, in a news conference today, our State Sen Eric Oemig announce d he would introduce legislation to impeach the president. Since Pelosi won't do it, someone should. Your post is really awesome for pointing out all those sources! daaaaang. Our only local media to carry this story is the Stranger!
http://www.thestranger.com/blog/2007/02/state_sen_eric_oemig_goes_after_the_pres

It looks like your effort in NM is going along pretty good, although I admit I hate to tune into radio anymore because everything I hear is so bad. best of luck New Mexico!!!!!!!!

[wildbilln864]

24. Bravo to Washington and New Mexico!

:yourock: