Doug Bereuter: “I rise in support of articles 1, 2, and 3. Mr. Speaker, this Member approaches these proceedings of the House with…”

“I rise in support of articles 1, 2, and 3. Mr. Speaker, this Member approaches these proceedings of the House with sadness for what has befallen our country and solemnly, but with a firm conviction that we must discharge our responsibilities under Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution by considering articles of impeachment against the President of the United States of America. This Member intends and will act in a manner required by and consistent with his oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Many people and leaders from other countries have spoken on the matter before us today in a manner which reveals that they probably do not understand the absolutely central role the Constitution and the constitutional processes play in the governance of our country and their role in maintaining the very fabric of the American society. Indeed, even some of our citizens may not have focused on that central role. Drawn from every corner of the globe, with a total diversity of creeds, ethnicity, race, and heritage, America is the antithesis of a nation state. More than any other country on earth, we Americans are bound together and can function as a nation only because of our shared ideals and ideas of governance as embodied in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.”