The is something very strange going on in our Nation’s capital concerning impeachment and the Bush Administration’s accountability of its action over the past 7+ years.

Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has been, along with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), America’s two lone voices calling for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney and the Bush Administration. Wexler stated it best in his plea to American citizens in a recent mailing:

Our Constitution is under threat and the most basic principle of checks and balances is being undermined. Not since Watergate has a president so openly disregarded the will of Congress.

During hearings in the Judiciary Committee yesterday, I told Attorney General Michael Mukasey that I called for impeachment hearings because of the stonewalling and blatant abuses of the Bush Administration. He responded by stating that he will NOT enforce a contempt of Congress citation against Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten for refusing to testify before Congress.

Alberto Gonzales may be long gone, but the Bush Administration continues its executive overreach with the new Attorney General.

We can debate the need for Impeachment hearings. We can argue its effects on the election or our agenda. But one thing is abundantly clear:

If Congress’ right to require testimony is undermined, then our country’s leaders - Democrat, Republican, or Independent - will be immune from accountability.

The power of the subpoena - to call officials before us - is one of the most fundamental safeguards in our system of government. To have it effectively discarded - by virtue of the President instructing Administration officials to ignore a congressional subpoenas and not even appear before Congress - is unprecedented. The idea that the Attorney General would willingly defend this position - despite Congress’ constitutional right to call such witnesses, is outrageous.

Impeachment hearings could render this moot: The President, Vice President, and all officials under them would no longer invoke executive privilege. There would be no more smokescreens.

In one week, I will be delivering my letter calling for impeachment hearings to Chairman John Conyers. Already, 16 Members of Congress have joined my call, including 3 Judiciary Committee members. I am hopeful for more in the coming days, but it is important for you to reach out to your representative in Congress to express how you feel.You can view the current list of signers here.

A surge in online petition signers since Florida Representative ’s appearance on the House floor Tuesday evening calling for impeachment hearings to commence against has boosted the Wexler Petition past 190,000 and suddenly up to over 202,000. If you have not yet signed, go to www.WexlerWantsHearings.com and add your name to the list of those who feel an immediate investigation of Cheney’s highly suspicious pre-war activities is warranted.

If you have already signed, send the link www.WexlerWantsHearings.com to ten of your friends and encourage them to join this rapidly growing list.

(Click here to sign the petition)