Serving Franklin County, WA

Newhouse balks at contempt charge

Lawmaker's vote follows his previous effort to impeach President

WASHINGTON, D.C. - By a 229-202 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives voted today to hold President Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt of congress for refusing to comply with a subpeona from the Democrat-controlled committee purportedly investigating the Jan. 6 protest at the U.S. Capitol.

Nine Republicans supported the contempt resolution, including Washington state's Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, who also previously joined with Democrats to vote to impeach President Trump.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, voted in favor of impeachment, too, but balked at the Bannon contempt resolution. Newhouse represents Central Washington, including Franklin, Adams, Benton, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, Yakima and western Walla Walla Counties.

The committee wants to talk to Bannon, alleging he may provide information connecting President Trump to the protest.

Newhouse has come under fire from Central Washington Republicans for his impeachment vote earlier this year. He's faced letters calling for him to step down as well as criticism and calls for censure from most Republican committees in the Fourth Congressional District he represents.

He's also facing a strong primary election challenge for his impeachment vote with Beutler.

Newhouse was one of three Republicans to do an about face since voting to impeach the president. The other two apparently reversing their position are Reps. Tom Rice of South Carolina and David Valadao of Californa.

One other Republican apparently reversed their previous vote. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, voted to find Bannon in contempt, but previously declined to impeach the president.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Author photo

Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.

 

Reader Comments(0)