Message to Congress: ‘Investigate this president’

OLYMPIA – Describing it as a way that the state Legislature can lobby the U.S. Congress to initiate the process that will provide answers about the invasion and occupation of Iraq, Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, has introduced a joint memorial that would petition Congress to conduct an investigation of the president and the vice president.

Oemig said that while constitutional scholars do not agree about what constitutes an impeachable offense, the vast majority of Americans believe that if the administration lied to prompt this occupation, that’s impeachable. He said an investigation is needed to find out.

“Washingtonians want to know how we got into Iraq, and they want to ensure that something like this never, ever happens again,” said Oemig. “We can only know this if we look into the matter thoroughly and completely, and we can’t start with the premise that impeachment is off the table.”

Other legislatures with similar petitions to Congress under consideration include those in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.

“It sets a dangerous precedent to turn a blind eye,” said Oemig.

Oemig introduced Senate Joint Memorial 8016 today, which includes as cosponsors Sens. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, Adam Kline, D-Seattle, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, and Harriet Spanel, D-Bellingham.

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