After suggesting to a crowd of Tea Party constituents that he was interested in trying to impeach President Barack Obama, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess,
“„When one attendee suggested that the House push for impeachment proceedings against President Obama to obstruct the president from pushing his agenda, Burgess was receptive.
“„“It needs to happen, and I agree with you it would tie things up,” Burgess said. “No question about that.”
“„When asked about the comment later, Burgess said he wasn’t sure whether the proper charges to bring up articles of impeachment against Obama were there, but he didn’t rule out pursuing such a course.
“„Burgess had no problem answering “no” when he was asked whether he would vote for another increase in the national debt limit. It could not have been hard for him to tell that “no” was what the crowd wanted to hear on that issue.
“„But he couldn’t seem to get his lips around the word “no” when asked about using impeachment of the president as the ultimate political tool.
“„He added that there are more effective ways to tie up Obama’s agenda through House procedures.
“„However, Burgess said that had Obama exercised a provision of the 14th Amendment to unilaterally increase the debt ceiling, as some suggested the president do, impeachment proceedings were a possibility.
“„Other questions touched on securing the borders, adhering closer to the Constitution, funding the wars, raising taxes, and comments Burgess made recently about impeaching President Obama as a way to tie up loose ends by procedural means. Amid more boos, Burgess skipped the questions and went on to address other comments made.