Representative Kathy Castor spoke out about the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, calling his actions "a stunning betrayal of America and America's national security."
At an event promoting enrollment for the Affordable Care Act in Tampa Monday, the Tampa Democrat said Trump's witholding of military aid to Ukraine in exchange for information on a political rival was an "egregious abuse of power."
"What's important now is that the House proceed in a deliberate way to make sure that the American people understand the witness testimony, understand his abuse of power, understand what was at stake when he conditioned taxpayer funded military assistance on manufacturing dirt against a political rival," said Castor. "He put his personal interest above the public interest, and that's wrong."
Castor was one of the representatives who voted in favor of a formalized impeachment inquiry. The inquiry passed 232-196, with just two Democrats breaking party lines and voting against it.
While the vote does not signal Trump's removal from office, it does formalize the impeachment inquiry, moving the proceedings- some of which had been held behind closed doors- fully into public view.
"Affirming the impeachment inquiry will eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump administration may withold documents, prevent witness terstimony, deisregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives," Castor said in a statement released after last week's vote.
"The American people deserve to understand the depth and breadth of Trump's ethical and criminal violations, so the House will continue working to uphold the rule of law by proceeding deliberately and following the facts wherever they may lead," she said.
