WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Tuesday, Rep. Aaron Bean voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the grounds of "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law."

Following an unsuccessful impeachment vote a week prior, the second impeachment trial passed by a single vote, 214–213. Mayorkas is the second Cabinet member to have ever been impeached in U.S. history. The first time was 150 years ago.

Bean represents Florida's fourth congressional district, which includes Clay County. The congressman released the following statement:

“I have visited our southern border twice now, and I can say without a shadow of doubt, it is a turnstile for crime, cartels, and drugs. Secretary Mayorkas doesn’t want to end the mayhem at the border. Rather he blatantly supports and is forcibly pushing for this madness. That’s why over 8 million illegal immigrants have crossed our border.

“When it comes to the border crisis, Americans are looking for leadership—not denials, deflections, and distractions. Secretary Mayorkas’ actions cannot go unanswered, nor can his failures be unaccounted for. The American people deserve better,” said Bean.

The vote does not remove Mayorkas from office, since impeachment is only the first step in the process. For Mayorkas to be ousted from his post, he must be convicted by the Senate. Because the Senate has a Democratic majority, it is unlikely Mayorkas will be removed.