While most House Republicans are seen as hopeless causes when it comes to the effort to impeach President Donald Trump for his corrupt dealings in Ukraine, some hoped that moderate Republican Will Hurd from Texas—who won't be running for reelection at the end of this term—would be at least one Republican who might step across the aisle for the sake of the country.
Those hopes were seemingly dashed on Thursday with Hurd's speech during the final public impeachment hearings in the Committee.
Watch below.
While Hurd did condemn the pressure Trump put on Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, Hurd said he didn't see adequate evidence to vote in favor of impeachment, saying it required "clear and unambiguous" evidence:
"An impeachable offense should be compelling, overwhelmingly clear and unambiguous, and it is not something to be rushed or taken lightly. I have not heard evidence proving the president committed bribery or extortion. I also reject the notion that holding this view means supporting all of the foreign policy choices we have been hearing about over these last few weeks."
Hurd was criticized by many for his words, not the least of whom was Congressman Justin Amash (I-MI), who left the Republican Party earlier this year and is now the lone Independent Congressman.
He took Hurd to task respectfully, saying he "applies the wrong standard" to the impeachment decision.
Amash rightly pointed out that the House passing Articles of Impeachment is an indictment, not a verdict. Once Articles of Impeachment are passed, the President goes on trial in the Senate, which votes whether or not to remove or acquit.
People widely agreed with Amash, and heavily criticized Hurd.
In light of Hurd's speech, if nothing substantively changes, it appears likely that House Republicans will vote against any Articles of Impeachment brought against Trump.
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