Raleigh, North Carolina (August 13, 2019) – Today, Congressman David Price (D-NC), Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, released a statement calling for the House of Representatives to carry an impeachment inquiry forward:

“I believe that the House of Representatives must move forward with an impeachment inquiry regarding the conduct of President Donald Trump,” said Congressman Price. “This will build upon the investigations of the President’s grave offenses already underway, giving these inquiries focus and the maximum ability to obtain information in the face of the president’s stonewalling and resistance.

“In framing our constitution, the founders envisioned a system where no individual or branch of government could wield absolute, unchecked power. A critical check, to be exercised carefully and judiciously, is the House’s power of impeachment in the event of presidential behavior that grossly abuses power or threatens the foundations of our republic. For the past two and a half years we have watched with growing alarm as President Trump has attacked and defied our democratic institutions, shown cynical contempt for the truth, repeatedly assailed the free press and those charged with upholding the rule of law, and asserted a constitutional right “to do whatever I want as president”.

“In particular, investigations launched by House committees since January — in addition to the report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller— have revealed a presidential campaign that welcomed and encouraged foreign interference in the 2016 election, a president who has repeatedly attempted to obstruct or discredit investigations of that interference, and a president who, with his family, has shown utter disregard for the emoluments clause, leading to pervasive conflicts of interest. Special Counsel Mueller’s recent testimony added weight to many of these findings, but we still have facts to unearth. With President Trump blocking access to critical documents and to the testimony of key executive branch officials, we have reached a critical juncture.

“All Americans, including the President, must adhere to the rule of law. I understand and respect the discretion leaders in the House must exercise in determining the trajectory of an inquiry and what might follow. But I believe the inquiry must move forward if the president is to be brought to account and his stonewalling overcome.”