Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement Wednesday after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald J. Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress:

“No one comes to Congress to impeach a president. However, the President has given this Congress no choice – he has put us in an untenable position.

“The evidence is clear and direct: The President, by his own admission, has endangered our national security and the very foundation of our democracy. He used the full power of his office to solicit intervention from a foreign government in securing dirt against his political rival, while millions of dollars in foreign aid hung in the balance.

“The President’s transgressions did not end there. He and his administration have stonewalled Congress for months, refusing to cooperate with the House’s constitutionally-mandated oversight duties.

“It is for these reasons, and with a profound sense of gravity and solemnity, that I support both articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

“While President Trump’s indefensible actions set in motion this event, my vote for impeachment is not about the President. It is about my oath to defend and protect the Constitution, uphold this democracy, and to honor the sacred trust that my constituents bestowed upon me.

“The President’s actions, and his continued solicitation for foreign intervention in our democracy, constitute a present danger to the very foundation of our nation. To not act would set a dangerous precedent. In the United States of America, no one is above the law, not even the President.

“Democrat or Republican, it is time for us to pull together and show unity, sending a message to the American people that we are still a nation that is willing to fight for our democracy.

“The President forced the House’s hand. Now, the Senate must hold President Trump to account for his betrayal of the American people.”

Video of Sewell is available here.