The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced Tuesday its support for an impeachment investigation into President TrumpDonald John Trump5 things to watch in critical NC race Remembering 9/11: How the suicide attacks led to two vastly different wars Conservative strategist calls Steyer’s 2020 bid a ‘vanity run’ MORE, an issue that continues to divide House Democrats.
“It is impossible to ignore the mounting evidence that President Trump has repeatedly broken the law, committed impeachable offenses, and continues to obstruct justice. The Congressional Progressive Caucus strongly endorses the House Judiciary Committee’s current formal impeachment investigation and the adoption of the Resolution of Investigative Procedures,” the CPC said in a statement.
“Our duty is to uphold the Constitution and we must do all we can to protect our democracy,” it added.
The CPC has 98 members, making it the second-biggest Democratic caucus.
The statement comes after House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerThis week: Congress returns for first time since mass shootings Judiciary panel preparing to vote on procedures for impeachment probe: report House Democrat calls it ‘unconstitutional’ to cite God in hearing oaths MORE (D-N.Y.) announced Monday that his panel will vote this week on its procedures for hearings as it continues to weigh articles of impeachment against the president.
The committee’s investigation into the president, which initially focused on potential obstruction of justice stemming from former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerFox’s Cavuto roasts Trump over criticism of network Mueller report fades from political conversation Trump calls for probe of Obama book deal MORE’s report, has expanded to include new areas.
Those areas include Trump’s alleged floating of pardons to border and law enforcement officials, payments made to women alleging affairs with the president, and whether the president profited from government spending at his family-owned properties during official trips.
While a majority of the Democratic House delegation has voiced support for impeachment in some form, some, including the CPC, appear to hew in favor of an investigation into impeachment rather than a formal impeachment inquiry that requires a vote in the House.
The party’s leadership has maintained its position against formal impeachment, arguing that any effort beyond Nadler’s investigation to remove Trump from office remains publicly unpopular and would fail to pass the GOP-controlled Senate.
House Democratic leadership also worries a formal impeachment could galvanize the president’s base and may endanger moderate members in swing districts where impeachment is particularly divisive.
“We’re legislating, we are investigating, as we have been, and we are litigating,” Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiThe Hill’s Morning Report – Can Trump save GOP in North Carolina special election? Democrats race against clock with push for impeachment Democrats play to Trump’s ego on guns MORE (D-Calif.) told reporters this week. “We are taking our information to court — that’s the path we are on, and that’s the path we will continue to be on.”
