The most substantial attempt to date to impeach President Donald Trump was easily voted down in the House of Representatives Wednesday, though it garnered a surprising amount of support.

By a 364-58 tally, the House voted to table a resolution brought forth by Democratic Texas congressman Al Green who’d introduced articles of impeachment earlier that day. All voting Republican members and 126 Democrats voted to kill the resolution.

Among the Democrats voting to table the resolution was House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi who, prior to the vote, shared her reasoning in a joint press release with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.

“Legitimate questions have been raised about [Trump’s] fitness to lead this nation,” the release states. “Right now, Congressional committees continue to be deeply engaged in investigations into the President’s actions both before and after his inauguration. The special counsel’s investigation is moving forward as well, and those inquiries should be allowed to continue. Now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment.” 

North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman was one of the 58 Democrats — including 12 from California — who voted to move forward with impeachment debate. He released the following statement today:

 

“Impeachment is an extraordinary measure, but it should be clear to anyone who examines the facts that President Trump’s actions justify his impeachment, including his efforts to obstruct justice, his self-enrichment and serial violations of the Emoluments Clause, and his involvement in a cover-up stemming from his campaign’s very likely collusion with Russian interests to undermine the 2016 presidential election. 

The magnitude and breadth of President Trump’s actions to undermine his office and the public trust – those that have been illegal, corrupt, or have caused deep damage to our country — is stunning and most of the facts are indisputable. 

For these reasons, I’ve stated for months that I believe President Trump should be, and eventually will be, impeached. And for the same reasons, if I am presented with a vote on this subject, I’ll vote my conscience and support impeachment.

It is vital, however, that we distinguish impeachable offenses from offensive behavior, divisive political instincts, ineptitude, and poor judgment. These are all frustrating but in my view do not rise to the level of impeachable offenses. I understand why many of my Democratic colleagues, including many who believe President Trump should ultimately be impeached, voted no on today’s resolution.

We are a long way from having the votes in Congress to impeach, a vote that must happen on a bipartisan basis. We need to work in a bipartisan way to bring accountability and transparency to a White House that is doing great damage, including through ongoing Congressional oversight, a new independent commission on Russian election interference, and the ongoing work of Special Prosecutor Bob Mueller.”