Governor Robert Bentley's impeachment is being pushed by a Republican Alabama lawmaker who claimed that he's setting a resolution to start the impeachment proceedings against the politician.
Rep. Ed Henry said that he's setting up the resolution for Bentley's impeachment right after the legislature returns to the office next week. Henry's announcement comes the same day when Bentley's top adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason resigned amidst the scandal, Washington Times reported. If Bentley's impeachment would be approved by the majority of the House, there's a big possibility that the governor would be removed from the office by the legislature. According to another lawmaker, more than half of the House is in favor of the governor's impeachment.
"We support it. We look forward to working across party lines. We're encouraged to see that someone within the Republican Party was taking the lead in this endeavor," Ford told AL.com. "The governor's the Republican's poster child, so we were hoping they would police their own party."
Bentley's impeachment comes on the heels of Mason's resignation last week. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier accused the governor of having an illicit affair with Mason. Both Bentley and Mason denied the allegations. However, Bentley confessed to using sexually unsuitable language when talking to her which Al.com acquired. House Minority Leader Craig Ford said that an impeachment would be necessary because Bentley lost the trust of the people in Alabama, according to WTVA.
Ford added that Bentley's impeachment gained more support because it is being pushed by a Republican lawmaker. Henry and Bentley have been arguing on several matters in the office for over two years. Meanwhile, Bentley and Mason are both under examination by the state Ethics Commission. The agency is investigating Bentley's misuse of the government property while alleging possible impropriety on how Mason was getting paid. Instead of receiving a state paycheck as Bentley's senior adviser, Mason is getting money from a social welfare.
Bentley's impeachment could sound complicated in the congress. However, Henry believes that all they need is the majority of the vote to start the trial.
