Barry Loudermilk: “I thank my colleague and friend from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition not…”

“I thank my colleague and friend from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition not only to these Articles of Impeachment, but in strong opposition to the process that has brought us to this point. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are all about process. Our Founders knew that a government without constraints could accuse anyone of any crime at any time, even without compelling evidence. That is why the Fifth and the Fourteenth Amendment have established a bedrock principle of innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. But on November 14, Speaker Pelosi informed the press that the President should prove his innocence when she stated: Mr. President, if you have anything that shows your innocence, then you should make that known. The Constitution also guarantees that the accused can call witnesses to testify on their behalf, but the Republicans and the President were continually denied that right throughout this process. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of the defendant to face their accuser, but not only have the Democrats prohibited Republicans and the President from questioning the so-called whistleblower, his identity has been kept secret. Before Members take this historic vote today, one week before Christmas, I want Members to keep this in mind: When Jesus was falsely accused of treason, Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers.…”