For Immediate Release: April 13, 2018
Contact: Tracey Joyce — (573) 751-2583
Statement from Senator Bob Dixon Regarding the House Special Investigative Committee Report
Jefferson City — State Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, today issued a statement relating to the report released by the Missouri House of Representative’s Special Investigative Committee.
“I will not weigh in on the governor’s pending criminal case. I am confident our judicial system, which must stay above politics, will afford every participant the guaranteed right to due process. The impeachment process, however, is not a criminal process. We expect more from leaders than just legal behavior. We expect character and integrity. I have always believed that people who cannot govern themselves cannot be trusted to govern others.
“Article VII, Section 3 of the Missouri Constitution states, “Judgment of impeachment shall not extend beyond removal from office…” Therefore, impeachable offenses under Article VII, Section 1 need not be solely criminal and require a different and separate standard.
“Every member the House Special Investigative Committee is a person I know to be of impeccable character and integrity. They are principled public servants. The sworn testimony given before the committee describes events that are both repugnant and nauseating. As a husband and father of three daughters, I find the content of the report and the governor’s characterization of it beyond shameful and worthy of resignation or removal from office.
“The House committee is investigating additional allegations of wrongdoing by the governor, but that does not mean the Senate cannot or should not begin discussion of its duties under Article VII, Section 2. The Senate needs to be prepared and ready to act without delay in accordance with RSMO 106.080, should the House impeach.”
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