Tonight on the Sunday Voice of Arizona radio show, AZ Representative Russell Pearce said that the failure to protect our borders is an impeachable offense. This prompted me to call in to the show.

I asked Mr. Pearce, if he believed that Bush’s actions (or lack thereof) were impeachable, why didn’t he begin the proceedings in the AZ legislature.  Mr. Pearce said that he couldn’t do anything about it as it had start in the US House of Representatives. 

State Legislatures can begin the process:

B. JEFFERSON'S MANUAL

      According to Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual, "there are various methods of setting an impeachment in motion": 1) By charges made on the floor by a member of the House; 2) By charges preferred by a memorial filed by a House member; 3) By charges contained in a Resolution introduced by a House member; 4) By a message from the President; 5) By charges transmitted by a State legislature, or a grand jury; 5) By facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House. (emphasis mine)

So, there you go Mr. Pearce.  It is clear that a State Legislature can set impeachment in motion. 

Now, Mr. Pearce is correct in that the United States House of Representatives has to take the charges and actually begin the process.  There is not a binding process between the passage of a state legislature charge and the process of impeachment beginning in the US House of Representatives. 

However, if Representative Pearce is serious about the failure to protect our borders as an impeachable office, he could certainly begin the process in the Arizona Legislature.

And Mr. Pearce could work with the Democratic Representatives of Arizona to present the legislation to the U.S. House.

I fully understand that there is a slim to none chance that this would pass the AZ Legislature. But Pearce brought it up tonight.  He is in a position to bring the legislation to the floor.

So, Mr. Pearce.  Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?