Washington D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the below letter to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy in response to his correspondence earlier today. The Speaker’s letter emphasizes the importance of the ongoing impeachment inquiry and calls on House Republicans to join Democrats in upholding Congress’s responsibility to support and defend the Constitution.

Below is the full text of the letter to the Republican Leader:

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October 3, 2019

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy

Republican Leader

H-204, The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Leader McCarthy,

As Members of Congress, we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

The existing rules of the House provide House Committees with full authority to conduct investigations for all matters under their jurisdiction, including impeachment investigations. There is no requirement under the Constitution, under House Rules, or House precedent that the whole House vote before proceeding with an impeachment inquiry.

As you know, our Founders were specifically intent on ensuring that foreign entities did not undermine the integrity of our elections. I received your letter this morning shortly after the world witnessed President Trump on national television asking yet another foreign power to interfere in the upcoming 2020 elections. We hope you and other Republicans share our commitment to following the facts, upholding the Constitution, protecting our national security, and defending the integrity of our elections at such a serious moment in our nation’s history.

best regards,

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House