For the first time in more than a century, Ohio state lawmakers have drafted articles of impeachment against a sitting governor. And it's a Republican representative targeting a fellow member of the GOP.
Conservative Rep. John Becker (R-Cincinnati) is over the state鈥檚 response to coronavirus. He's been joined by three other co-sponsors: Reps. (R-Middletown), (R-Urbana) and Paul Zeltwanger (R-Mason).
Becker said DeWine has committed "a usurpation of power" in both the state and federal constitutions with several actions, including the just hours before in-person voting was to begin, and the shutdown of businesses with . But Becker said it goes beyond that.
"The governor is not working with the General Assembly," Becker said. "He is, you know, some would say 'governor gone wild' and he needs to be stopped. And the people of Ohio are demanding that he be stopped. And we can't seem to stop him with legislation because he keeps vetoing it. Well, it only takes a simple majority to to get an impeachment resolution through the House. So that's why we have finally gotten to this point."
DeWine has been criticized by several members of the House, including former Speaker Larry Householder, who said the that their opinions have been largely disregarded by the Administration" in DeWine's reopening plans. The members of a also raised concerns about the speed of reopening. And some have been vocal in their opinions of DeWine's orders - one calling .
Some Republican lawmakers have also championed bills , a plan , and a measure that its sponsor said would require the state and local health departments . DeWine's that would lower the fines for violating orders issued by him, his health director or local health departments. The bill did not pass by a veto-proof majority.
While Becker said only a simple majority is needed to get the resolution through the House, he admitted that the votes aren't there right now. But he said: "We're going to find out how engaged the people are going to be contacting their state representatives and ratcheting up the pressure that the people put enough pressure on their state representatives will have the votes. So it's up to the public."
showed DeWine's approval rating at an all-time high of 75%.
DeWine鈥檚 spokesman said in a statement: 鈥淕overnor DeWine is focused on saving lives during the pandemic. He is focused on helping the economy and getting Ohioans back to work. That is what he is focused on. Not this.鈥�
Details on Becker鈥檚 proposal at .
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