Republican tries to rally GOP support to impeach Holder

A Republican lawmaker who is trying to impeach Attorney General Eric Holder knows he has a long way to go to get the votes.

But Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his deputies aren’t getting in his way, Rep. Pete Olson said.

{mosads}The Texas legislator says that he informed GOP leadership of his intention to file Articles of Impeachment charging Holder with “high crimes and misdemeanors” for “a pattern of conduct incompatible with the trust and confidence placed in him.” Olson cites a failure to hand over documents in the Fast and Furious investigation and refusal to prosecute officials involved in the IRS scandal.

“I’ve been very frank with our leadership: ‘Guys, this is my burden to carry, I’ll get 218 [votes]. Don’t worry about it.'”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has endorsed the effort to impeach Holder. Olson has 29 Republican co-sponsors in the House and intends to continue reaching out to his colleagues when Congress returns in early September.

Republicans who have endorsed Olson’s measure include Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Steve Chabot (Ohio), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Tom Massie (Ky.), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.) and Ted Yoho (Fla.).