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The Republican-controlled Missouri House will begin impeachment proceedings against Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon on Wednesday. Why? There are three reasons, according to the state legislature's judiciary committee. First, Nixon allowed legally-married same-sex couples in the state to file joint tax returns in order to keep the state consistent with the IRS's post-Defense of Marriage Act policies. Second, Republicans argue Nixon took too long to call a special election to replace legislative vacancies. Third, Republicans believe that Nixon didn't punish state officials enough over a controversy involving concealed carry permits.

So, will Nixon get impeached? It's unlikely. Republicans control both the state's House and Senate, but as the Washington Post notes, the bills probably won't make it to a final vote in both houses of the legislature. Even if they did, the state constitution outlines that the governor can't actually be removed from office unless five of seven state judges convict him.

In other words, the impeachment proceedings are likely more of an opportunity for a handful of Republican legislators to make a point than they are a serious threat to Nixon's office. The legislative ring leader of the pro-impeachment representatives is state Rep. Nick Marshall, who promised to begin proceedings in November: