The Texas House of Representatives General Investigations Committee unanimously approved 20 articles of impeachment filed against state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The full Congress must now vote on an impeachment against Paxton, who would be forced to resign his post and face trial in the Senate if it goes forward. The charges include bribery and obstruction of justice. Paxton claims he is the victim of a political manhunt by state Speaker Dade Phelan and other legislators.
Article of Impeachment Agai... by Israel Duro
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The five representatives of the committee (three Republicans and two Democrats), voted to bring the impeachment of the attorney general to the House of Representatives based on the evidence of the allegations against Paxton. Among the charges against him are embezzlement of public resources, bribery and obstruction of justice, as well as taking advantage of his position for personal gain. Voting will take place over the weekend, likely on Saturday, according to Capitol Insider
At present, the House of Representatives is under GOP control with 86 seats, compared to 64 for the Democrats. Under Texas legislature, a simple majority of the full House is required for Paxton to be removed from office. At this point, it is far from clear in which direction the conservative congressmen will develop their vote, but the Democrats are eager to cash in on a piece of big game they have been chasing for years with criminal charges.
Should it pass in the House, Paxton would have to resign and face a trial in the Senate, where the GOP also has a majority (19-12). In this body, a two-thirds majority is needed for Paxton to be found guilty and officially removed from office.
Paxton says allegations are "hearsay and gossip"
Paxton issued a scathing statement accusing "corrupt politicians in the Texas House, led by liberal Speaker Dade Phelan" of attacking the Attorney General's Office to destroy "Texas' position as the most powerful backstop against the Biden agenda in the entire country. Paxton charged that he is not being offered the opportunity to defend himself and called the accusations against him "hearsay and gossip," criticizing committee members for "parroting long-disproven claims."
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) May 25, 2023
