John Yarmuth: “But then, Madam Speaker, the whistleblower report was made public. The report outlined how President Trump instructed…”

“But then, Madam Speaker, the whistleblower report was made public. The report outlined how President Trump instructed his administration and OMB officials to put a hold on almost $400 million in Ukraine security assistance ahead of his July 25 phone call with President Zelensky. The President abused his power and betrayed the oath he took before the American people to defend our national security and honor our Constitution. As the plan unraveled, the picture became clear. The administration was abusing the apportionment process to secretly and illegally impound funding provided by Congress to protect our national security, to use this leverage against a foreign nation to help the President cheat our elections, and they couldn't hide it any longer. On September 24, Speaker Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry into the shady dealings of the Trump administration. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of September 27 that Chairwoman Lowey and I sent to OMB, seeking answers and documents related to the withholding of the Ukraine aid, State and USAID funds, and abuse of the apportionment process. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, September 27, 2019. Hon. Mick Mulvaney, Acting Chief of Staff, The White House, Washington, DC. Hon. Russell Vought, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Mulvaney and Mr.…”