Washington, DC - Today Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore) announced that they would support a resolution by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) to investigate whether U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors.

"After careful thought and consideration, I am announcing today that I will cosponsor the resolution to begin an impeachment investigation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez," said Congressman Blumenauer. "I have been carefully monitoring the investigations and reports that have been coming out about this administration, and there are serious allegations of perjury, possible obstruction of justice, and an unwillingness to come clean with the American people and Congress. After reviewing the testimony, I'm convinced that the House should begin to investigate impeachment. I hope that this will serve as a wake-up call to the entire Bush Administration. Its refusal to be completely forthright and open with Congress and the American people has consequences and we will do whatever is necessary to protect and defend our Constitution."

"It's time for Attorney General Gonzales to go," said DeFazio.  "He has politicized the Department of Justice, possibly beyond repair.  He's turned the department into a political arm of the Republican National Committee, rather than a department focused on enforcing the laws of the land and ensuring equal protection under the law.  The Attorney General has lost the trust of both parties in Congress and the American people, the only person that still has confidence in him is President Bush.  We need closure at the Department of Justice and someone in charge who can return it to an institution loyal to the U.S. Constitution, rather than a particular President."