http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/3/24/165137/849State-Initiated Presidential Impeachment Takes Big Step Forward by odum
Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 02:14:51 PM PDT
After being defeated last year, the Vermont State Democratic Committee voted overwhelmingly to ask the state legislature to pass the currently-stalled bill calling for the impeachment of George Bush under Section 603 of the Jefferson's Manual (a guide to US House procedures). The reason this is different from what has come before (when this was tried last year) is threefold:
First, there is currently a carefully crafted bill (modeled after the so-called "Rutland Resolution" that swept the County Democratic infrastructure in Vermont last year) languishing in the House Judiciary Committee. Last time around, there was no such bill at this stage in the legislative session. Although it's common knowledge that it was sent there to die, there are signs that under steady pressure (and increased media coverage) - as well as the impact of current events - the bill's status may be back in play.
Second, as of last Town Meeting Day, 36 more Vermont towns have passed pro-impeachment resolutions, representing a broad geographic spread in the state. This has brought added pressure for action.
Third - and most significantly - in contrast to the uniform resistance of the entire Democratic leadership last year (despite what was a breathtaking and inspiring upsurge from the rank and file on its behalf), this year, speaking to the bill in the committee was the President Pro Tem of the Vermont State Senate - Senator Peter Shumlin of Windsor County. While sympathetic to the resistance to the issue from his counterpart, Speaker of the House Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), he has spoken openly and publicly of his support for the measure. Shumlin does seem to be holding to the notion that such a joint resolution cannot be initiated in the State Senate, however no one can find anything under Section 603 or State laws and procedures to necessitate that, as it does not involve impeachment of a state officeholder.
http://www.greenmountaindaily.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1076VERMONT DEMS PASS IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION IN RANDOLPH! by: Brattlerouser
Sat Mar 24, 2007 at 15:31:25 PM EST
OK. Here's what I know and keep in mind this is all anecdotal.
Dan DeWalt called and said the Vermont State Democratic Committee voted overwhelmingly to ask the state legislature to pass the currently-stalled bill calling for the impeachment of George Bush under Section 603 of the Jefferson's Manual (a guide to US House procedures). The resolution is JRH015 and according to Jefferson's Maunal it can be introduced in the state Senate or the State House of Representatives but both must go through the House & Senate Judiciary committees.
What happened today was state Senate Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D-Windham County) came to the meeting to give an update of the legislative session and when pressed by someone that if he were Governor would he bring the troops home? Not sure what he said but we do know Shumlin talked about impeachment. He said he was in favor of it and then split. However impeachment was on their agenda for today and it passed overwhelmingly with six opposed. Not sure how many members were there but there were many from what I hear. And of those six, four of them are "allegedly" on the VT Democratic Party Executive Committee. So basically the leadership were against it the resolution but the grassroots members along with Peter Shumlin supported it. Not only did it passed but they added veep Dick Cheney to it, made a point to send it to Vermont's congressional delegation and THAT THEY WANTED TO PASS JRH015 BY THE END OF THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION!
DeWalt talked to another key state Senator from southern Vermont and pointed out that it passed to which this state senator said, "Wow. Well if that's what they called for, then we'll probably do it."
So now that key state Dems are behind it and they asked the leg to pass it at today's committee meeting, the likelihood that HRJR015 could see the light of day is more likely... well, I'm still being optimistic. The legislative session ends in early May and it's still only March. So time is on the impeachers side.
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