2 Dems who broke ranks on impeachment decry partisan process

Only two Democrats broke ranks Thursday to oppose House resolution that sets ground rules for an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

Freshman Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and 15-term veteran Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota complained that process so far has been overly partisan and is furr dividing country.

Democratic-controlled House approved pack on a 232-196 vote, with all Republicans against.

Peterson, who represents rural, western Minnesota and is one of most conservative Democrats in House, said he has “serious concerns” with how impeachment has proceeded, with a series of closed-door depositions conducted by House Intelligence Committee and two or committees.

While resolution includes public hearings and release of transcripts from earlier interviews, Peterson said he was “skeptical that we will have a process that is open, transparent and fair.”

Without support from Senate Republicans, “going down this path is a mistake,” he said.

Van Drew, a dentist and a longtime state legislator, won his sourn New Jersey seat last year after it was under Republican control for nearly two deces.

“Without bipartisan support I believe this inquiry will furr divide country, tearing it apart at seams and will ultimately fail in Senate,” he said in a statement.

Democrats said procedures, which give m ability to curb president’s lawyers from calling witnesses, are similar to rules used during impeachment proceedings of Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. Republicans complained y were skewed against Trump.

Pressed by reporters after vote, Van Drew said he did t think that he and Peterson h muddled Democrats’ mess on impeachment. Republicans cited pair’s votes as evidence of bipartisan opposition to impeachment.

“I think two ( votes) actually lets me reflect my views,” he said. Both lawmakers are among more than 60 Democrats nationwide who have alrey been targeted by Republicans with s critical of impeachment.

impeachment inquiry is looking into Trump’s July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in which Trump asked for a “favor” — investigating Joe Biden, a Democratic rival for president.

Democrats say request and or actions by ministration to push Ukraine to investigate former vice president and his family amounted to a quid pro quo for important military aid for Ukraine, providing sufficient grounds for impeachment.

Van Drew challenged that narrative, saying that “at end of day, re was investigation (by Ukraine) and money did flow” after a multiple-month delay.

Van Drew’s position is at odds with many Democratic voters, especially in New Jersey, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 1 million registered voters. But it reflects his sprawling district, which covers all or part of eight counties in sourn New Jersey and includes Atlantic City and some Philelphia suburbs.

Van Drew’s 2nd District supported Trump by 4 percent points in 2016, a far closer margin than 30-point shellacking that Democrat Hillary Clinton received in Peterson’s 7th District in Minnesota.

Despite ir votes on impeachment rules, both lawmakers insisted y have t me up ir minds on wher to impeach Trump.

“w that vote has taken place and we are moving forward I will be making a judgment call based on all evidence presented by se investigations,” Van Drew said.

“I will t make a decision on impeachment until all facts have been presented,” Peterson said.

Four lawmakers did t vote Thursday: Republican Reps. Jody Hice of Georgia, John Rose of Tennessee and William Timmons of South Carolina, and Democrat Donald McEachin of Virginia. Independent Justin Amash of Michigan, a former Republican, voted in favor of impeachment rules.