Kaptur Statement After Senate Votes To Acquit President Trump
Washington, D.C. — Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, released the following statement following the Senate acquittal of President Donald Trump:
"The strength of America's greatness cannot be attributed to one man, but to the force and determination of an entire people as diverse as the land we call home," said Rep. Kaptur. "Today's vote to acquit President Trump is as much a reflection of the deep partisan divide in this country as it is a result. Despite overwhelming evidence and testimony, I fear President Trump, as well as future presidents of both parties, will be emboldened to undermine our democracy, subvert accountability, and avoid transparency with impunity because of the precedent set by the Senate Majority this evening."
"I am thankful for the bravery of individuals such as Senator Romney, who broke with the Republican Party by voting to convict President Trump for abuse of power. Such an act of patriotism should not be difficult, though sadly, it has proven to be a bridge too far for the Senate Majority. I align myself with the words he spoke on the floor of the Senate this afternoon:
‘There's no question that the President asked a foreign power to investigate his political foe. That he did so for a political purpose, and that he pressured Ukraine to get them to help or to lead in this effort. My own view is that there's not much I can think of that would be a more egregious assault on our Constitution than trying to corrupt an election to maintain power. And that's what the President did.'
"The fact that Senator Romney and so many Democrats, especially those from moderate districts and states, stood up for what is right in the face of adversity is a testament that reason has not entirely escaped our politics. Regrettably, however, the inevitable degradation of our discourse, our institutions, and our democracy will be a price our country pays for the Senate Republicans' cover-up of President Trump's wrongdoings in Ukraine. The fact that Republicans voted to block additional witnesses and documents will forever be a stain on what has long been called the world's greatest deliberative body.
"For as long as I am in Congress, I will use any and all institutional power I have to hold President Trump and his Administration accountable to the people of this country and to those in Northern Ohio in particular. Such is my duty."