Democrat Thanks Republican For ‘Being Honest’ About Mayorkas Impeachment In Rare Moment of Bipartisan Civility in House

During the House floor debate Tuesday on advancing a GOP-lef effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) offered some rare praise for a Republican colleague.

Conservative Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), came out against impeaching Mayorkas, and explained his reasoning on the House floor:

Mr. Speaker. Secretary Mayorkas is guilty of maladministration of our immigration laws on a cosmic scale. But we know that’s not grounds for impeachment because the American founders specifically rejected it. They didn’t want political disputes to become impeachments because that would shatter their separation of powers that vests the enforcement of the laws with the president, no matter how bad a job he does.

Cabinet secretaries can’t serve two masters. They can be impeached for committing a crime relating to their office, but not for carrying out presidential policy. This border crisis can’t be fixed by replacing one left wing official with another. It can only be fixed by the American people at the ballot box. By replacing this administration with one committed to securing our borders, defending our country, and upholding the rule of law. Americans are already coming to that conclusion, and I’m afraid that stunts like this don’t help. I yield back.

McGovern was recognized to speak next and used his allotted time to offer some kind words to McClintock. “Mr. speaker, I just want to rise, to thank Mr. McClintock for his statement. I don’t normally agree with very much of what Mr. McClintock says, but I want to publicly thank him for being honest,” McGovern said, adding:

And if we are being honest with one another, we would not be bringing this impeachment resolution of Secretary Mayorkas, forward. This is a sham. This is a joke. It has no basis within the Constitution. This is a political ploy. But for the purpose of this one minute, I again want to thank the gentleman from California for his honesty. We need more honesty around here. I yield back.

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.