Feb. 10, 2016
HARRISBURG – A House resolution calling for an investigation into the conduct and allegations against Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was approved by the full House today by a vote of 170-12, according to its author, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union).
“I believe this resolution is the most effective and transparent way to investigate the allegations made in the past few months and to give the House Judiciary Committee a full report in order to move forward with the results,” said Everett. “Serious allegations have been made, and this inquiry must be conducted for the benefit of the people of Pennsylvania. The overwhelming vote by the House shows that this is not a partisan hunt, but a sincere effort to get at the truth of the matter.”
Everett said the inquiry will be conducted by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, chaired by Reps. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) and Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery). Everett is a member of that subcommittee.
The House of Representatives is charged with the constitutional duty to investigate whether inappropriate conduct by public officials, including the attorney general, merits impeachment. Recently, Kane has been the subject of a grand jury investigation and subsequently has had several criminal charges filed against her, including perjury. She has since had her law license suspended by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
The process in Everett’s
House Resolution 659 differs substantially from the process used by the Senate and its Special Committee on Address. There, a bipartisan group of senators has held hearings to determine whether Kane should be removed pursuant to a process referred to as “direct address.” Importantly, the Senate is confined to exploring whether the suspension of Kane’s law license is sufficient cause for her removal from office. The impeachment process being proposed in the House would not be subject to any such limitation of areas to be investigated.
“This action is necessitated by the nature of the allegations against the chief law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth,” said Everett. “With that, a fair and impartial look into these allegations is required. I am confident that it will be handled in a professional manner.”
Rep. Garth D. Everett
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(570) 546-2084
(717) 787-5270
Contact: Raymond Smith
rsmith@pahousegop.com
(717) 7051834
Member Site:
RepEverett.com
Caucus Site:
PAHouseGOP.com