Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois freshmen U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) revealed on Tuesday her plans to vote in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump.

Underwood and U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs), widely considered among the most vulnerable U.S. House Democrats in the state, both told the Chicago Sun-Times they plan to vote in lockstep with the nation's Democratic leaders. In the case of Underwood, she is one of 31 Democrats representing districts where Trump proved triumphant in 2016. 

Joining Underwood in that precarious position is fellow Illinois House member Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline), who earlier stated she also plans to support the drive to oust the president. On Tuesday, Underwood took to the House floor to insist her decision has not come easily.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs)

“As I’ve weighed this solemn decision, I’ve listened to our community, examined important testimony and evidence, and studied the drafted articles,” Underwood said. “The president has demonstrated a pattern of corrupt behavior, and abused his power for his own personal political gain when he pressured foreign leaders to conduct investigations against political rivals, jeopardizing our country’s national security and the integrity of our elections.”

Trump has proclaimed his innocence throughout the proceedings, and he and his allies have targeted lawmakers in the same position as Underwood and Bustos in hopes of peeling away Democratic impeachment votes. But Underwood insists that the evidence left her with no choice.

“The testimony and evidence put forth led me to a clear conclusion,” she said. “In order to uphold my sworn oath, I must vote to protect the constitution and will vote in support of the articles of impeachment.”

Set to run unopposed in the Democratic primary, Underwood's potential Republican challengers in the General Election include state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and former Kendall County Republican Chairman James Marter.

Lipinski, meanwhile, says his decision could have been against impeachment under slightly different circumstances.

“I would prefer we get direct evidence, but President Trump blocked that effort and Speaker Pelosi won’t wait,” Lipinski told the Sun-Times. “Since I must vote now, I will vote Yes because with reasonable inference there’s evidence that the president abused his power in the Ukraine matter. The House acts as a grand jury; we only need probable cause to send to the Senate for trial.”