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Gabbard Is Lone Representative Voting 'Present' In Impeachment Vote

John Minchillo/AP

Updated: Dec. 18, 3:47 p.m.

Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard voted "present" in the historical vote to impeach President Donald Trump Wednesday, according to C-SPAN.

Gabbard, who is running for president, declined to say in the days leading up to the tally how she would vote.

In the end following hours of setting ground rules and impeachment debate, she voted "present" on both articles of impeachment before the full House.

Gabbard issued a statement after the vote, saying in part:

After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no. I am standing in the center and have decided to vote Present. I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing.

 
Her full statement is below.

Hawaii's other congressional member, Ed Case, voted for impeachment. He said in a statement earlier this week announcing he intended to support impeachment. He said he agreed with the articles of impeachment that Trump had "acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government,” and that it warranted impeachment by the House and removal from office by the U.S. Senate.

Gabbard had been feuding with members of her own Democratic Party, including Hillary Clinton, the Democrats' presidential nominee in 2016, over her apparent embrace by some on the right, among other issues.

Gabbard planned to introduce a resolution earlier this week calling for the censure of the president. But the resolution was not submitted until Wednesday. In it, she said the president violated his constitutional oath and "abused the powers of the Presidency for his own personal political gain."

Gabbard, who announced she would not run for reelection to her 2nd Congressional District seat, continues to pursue the presidency although she remains in the lower rung of Democratic candidates in recent polls.

One candidate running for her congressional seat, state Sen. Kai Kahele, applauded the House impeachment vote against the president.

"The House of Representatives upheld its constitutional duty this evening, now it is time for the United States Senate to put country above party loyalty and do the same.”

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz issued a statement as well, saying he will consider the allegations against Trump when the House articles of impeachment are presented to the Senate for trial.

“As we move forward with the Senate trial, I will continue to study the facts in the case, the legal and constitutional history of impeachment, and prepare to serve as a fair juror. With this proceeding before us, the United States Senate is being called to act as the founders envisioned more than two centuries ago.” Schatz stated.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Tulsi Gabbard Statement

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