Both Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan seemed determined to ignore their constituents. Polls indicated that 75% of the public wanted the Senate to subpoena witnesses and documents relating to the impeachment charges that President Trump abused his power and unlawfully obstructed Congress.
In the end, the Republicans scurried away, trying to avoid the light. Most agreed that Trump did indeed do what the House investigation concluded, but since they were never going to vote to impeach, why go any further to investigate, educate the public, discipline the executive branch or show the strength of our governmental checks and balances to the world?
Instead, the self-serving, politically expedient path taken was to avoid advocating for behavioral and lawful standards expected of any elected official, or preserving Congress’ constitutional power of oversight. Because of our senators’ inability to stand for something greater than their party, one branch of government has been severely pruned.
— Mark Wolbers
Anchorage
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