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Hagedorn: Dems actions are political

MADELIA — Congressman Jim Hagedorn fielded questions about the impeachment inquiry involving President Donald Trump at a town hall in Madelia this week.

The Republican took questions from Watonwan County residents.

Hagedorn, who opposes impeachment, was asked whether it is his constitutional role to oppose the White House’s efforts to deny documents or witness testimony to Congress. He said if the impeachment efforts followed regular order, he would follow the Constitution, but said no special power had been granted to committees and no formal vote had been taken.

“Let’s have the House vote on it and allow the Republicans to cross-examine witnesses or call witnesses,” he said.

Hagedorn argued the reason no vote had occurred is because it would force House Democrats to vote for impeachment, which could hurt them in the election.

He said the inquiry is political and he will not vote for it.

Hagedorn was asked for his definition of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” He said his definition of an impeachable offense is, “You know it when you see it.”

Hagedorn said that in terms of the Ukraine incident, he had not seen an impeachable offense.

“I read the transcript. I saw what was in [Trump’s] call with the Ukraine president. There is not an impeachable offense there as far as I am concerned. I won’t support the inquiry, and I won’t vote for it.”

A question regarding the inequality between insurance providers led to questions about single-payer options. Hagedorn said single-payer is not the answer because reimbursements would be lower, and it could degrade the quality of medicine and drive up patient wait times.

Hagedorn supports allowing veterans to choose their doctors and hospitals, and believes taxpayers should pay for it.

He listed his top goals in Congress as ensuring a strong military, a strong economy and secure borders with merit-based immigration based on the rule of law.

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