Josh Hawley on Government Reform

Supported Jan. 6 protestors & decertifying 2020 election

Elections: Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential election?
• Josh Hawley (R): Mostly no. Voted against certifying Electoral College results from two states. Cheered on Jan 6 protestors outside the Capitol. Said later "I never said that the goal was to overturn the election. That was never the point."
• Lucas Kunce (D): Yes. "It looked fair and honest and I think it was accurately decided."

We ought to have a debate election integrity

Supported by Citizens United PAC for Attorney General

Josh Hawley (R): Unclear. Has said need ethics reform, but no stands requiring this.

Claire McCaskill (D): Yes. Backed bills to require.

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

Josh Hawley (R): Unknown, although Citizens United PAC supported for Attorney General.

Claire McCaskill (D): No. Restore reasonable limits.

Q: Elections: Support nonpartisan "Clean Missouri" redistricting initiative to address partisan gerrymandering and limit gifts by lobbyists.

Josh Hawley (R): No current stand.

Claire McCaskill (D): Yes. "Couldn't be more enthusiastic"

Defended strict Missouri voter ID requirements

Josh Hawley (R): Defended strict Missouri Voter ID Law, but may have just been in his role as Attorney General.

Claire McCaskill (D): Opposes.

Work for campaign ethics reform, starting with Missouri

CC:Appoint strict Constitutionalist judges.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Appointing Judges Who Will Adhere to a Strict Interpretation of the Constitution' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

President Trump not guilty of inciting insurrection.

GovTrack.us summary of H.Res.24: Article of Impeachment Against Former President Donald John Trump:

The House impeached President Trump for the second time, charging him with incitement of insurrection. The impeachment resolution accused the President of inciting the violent riot that occurred on January 6, when his supporters invaded the United States Capitol injuring and killing Capitol Police and endangering the safety of members of Congress. It cites statements from President Trump to the rioters such as `if you don`t fight like hell you`re not going to have a country anymore,` as well as persistent lies that he won the 2020 Presidential election.

Legislative Outcome:

Bill introduced Jan 11, 2021, with 217 co-sponsors; House rollcall vote #117 passed 232-197-4 on Jan. 13th (a YES vote in the House was to impeach President Trump for inciting insurrection); Senate rollcall vote #59 rejected 57-43-0 on Feb. 13th (2/3 required in Senate to pass; a YES vote in the Senate would have found President Trump guilty, but since he had already left office at that time, a guilty verdict would have barred Trump from running for President in the future)

Voted NO on two articles of impeachment against Trump.

RESOLUTION: Impeaching Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE I: ABUSE OF POWER: Using the powers of his high office, Pres. Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 US Presidential election. He did so through a course of conduct that included
1. Pres. Trump--acting both directly and through his agents--corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph Biden; and a discredited theory promoted by Russia alleging that Ukraine--rather than Russia--interfered in the 2016 US Presidential election.
2. With the same corrupt motives, Pres. Trump conditioned two official acts on the public announcements that he had requested: (A) the release of $391 million that Congress had appropriated for the purpose of providing vital military and security assistance to Ukraine to oppose Russian aggression; and (B) a head of state meeting at the White House, which the President of Ukraine sought.
3. Faced with the public revelation of his actions, Pres. Trump ultimately released the [funds] to the Government of Ukraine, but has persisted in openly soliciting Ukraine to undertake investigations for his personal political benefit.

ARTICLE II: OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS:
1. Pres. Trump defied a lawful subpoena by withholding the production of documents sought [by Congress];
2. defied lawful subpoenas [for] the production of documents and records;
3. and directed current and former Executive Branch officials not to cooperate with the Committees.