Washington senate resolution calling for Bush’s impeachment advances

by The Associated Press



OLYMPIA — A state Senate resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney was approved by a committee today, taking the measure one step further than it went last year.



The resolution by Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, had little support from lawmakers last year, never getting to the Senate floor for a vote. But today, it was approved by the five majority Democrats on the Senate’s Government Operations and Elections Committee.



Passing committee is a key hurdle, but does not guarantee that the measure will get a vote on the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has said she doubts the measure will get any time on the Senate floor this year.



More than 80 people attended a testy hearing last week about the resolution, which included a heated exchange between a Republican senator and members of the audience.



During the hearing, Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, accused Oemig of using the resolution for “campaign purposes.” That sparked yelling and boos from the audience, to which Roach responded by displaying a picture of her son, who serves in the military.



Roach voted against the resolution today.



A small number of towns and cities across the country have passed similar resolutions, but no state Legislature in the country has passed a measure calling for Bush’s impeachment.



(Source)