October 27, 2009
Posted: October 27th, 2009 05:07 PM ET
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Sanford's job is safe for the time being.
(CNN) – A Republican legislator in South Carolina moved to introduce a resolution of impeachment against Gov. Mark Sanford on Tuesday during a one-day special session of the state legislature, but his attempt was ruled "out of order" by the Speaker of the House, who said the measure must be submitted at a later date. Speaker Bobby Harrell, also a Republican, said that state Rep. Greg Delleney will have to wait to offer his impeachment resolution during a so-called "pre-filing" period in November, when lawmakers will be allowed to submit bills in advance of the regular legislative session, which begins in January. Harrell would then decide which House committee would handle the resolution and potentially build an impeachment case against the governor. Delleney claimed his measure still has "significant support" among House Republicans and predicted it will get out of committee and to the House floor for a vote in January. But removing the governor from office ultimately requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. Delleney admitted to CNN that such a vote "is not an easy thing to come by."
He also conceded that while the votes to impeach Sanford were there "early on," support for such a move may have faded over the last few months. He predicted that more legislators will support impeachment once a case can be made in committee that Sanford committed "serious misconduct" by leaving the country in June without informing his staff or the lieutenant governor. The latest twist in the ongoing Sanford saga occured during a one-day special session of the legislature that brought lawmakers together for the first time since the Republican governor admitted an extramarital affair in June. The session was called to address payment of state unemployment benefits, but Delleney had hoped to introduce his resolution and have it referred to an appropriate subcommittee so he could get the "ball rolling" on impeachment before January. Harrell, however, said that Delleney's measure was technically out of order under the terms of the resolution that brought lawmakers to Columbia for Tuesday's session and would have to wait. State lawmakers are also awaiting the results of a State Ethics Commission investigation into Sanford's travel expenses, the results of which are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Delleney said his resolution can be amended if that investigation reveals further evidence of "serious misconduct" - a term the state constitution uses to describe impeachable behavior. "I will do everything I can to win," Delleney told CNN. "We just have to see. At least Gov. Sanford is having to face an impeachment resolution for his conduct. His conduct is not going to be without consequences." Filed under: Mark Sanford South Carolina
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