WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday called on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign over management of the with Mexico, warning that the new House GOP majority will open investigations that could lead to impeachment proceedings.
when the new Congress convenes in January, said the Republican majority would use 鈥渢he power of the purse and the power of the subpoena鈥� to hold President Joe Biden's administration accountable for border security.
鈥淚f Secretary Mayorkas does not resign, House Republicans will investigate every order, every action and every failure to determine whether we can begin an impeachment inquiry,鈥� McCarthy said at a press conference in El Paso, Texas.
鈥淭his investigation could lead to an impeachment inquiry,鈥� he said.
Standing with fellow House Republicans mostly from Texas, McCarthy said he had spoken with the incoming chairmen of the relevant investigatory committees and given his 鈥渇ull support鈥� to Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, at the Judiciary Committee and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., at the Oversight Committee to open investigations.
McCarthy said he expects Mayorkas' resignation by Jan. 3, when the new Congress convenes. Investigations would begin on day one, he said. 鈥淓nough is enough,鈥� he said.
House Republicans have put border security among their top priorities 鈥� and Mayorkas among their top officials to investigate and try to remove from office, potentially through impeachment.
McCarthy has not yet secured the votes from House Republicans to become speaker, and he is working swiftly to shore up support before the vote from what is expected to be a slim, few-seat majority.
The California Republican particularly needs votes from his conservative right-flank lawmakers, who are eager to begin impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials.
The lawmakers pledged to hold public hearings at the border to highlight the security concerns.
鈥淎lejando Mayorkas must resign,鈥� said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., who joined the group at the border. 鈥淎nd if he doesn't we will make him.鈥�
Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press
