WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsSanford impeachment debate heats up on eve of special session

Sanford impeachment debate heats up on eve of special session

By Trey Paul - bio | email

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - State lawmakers are expected to head back to Columbia Tuesday for a special session to extend unemployment benefit to those without jobs in South Carolina.

Despite the large unemployment issue at hand, one Chester County lawmaker is planning to introduce a resolution that will impeach Gov. Mark Sanford. According to House and Senate rules, both chambers will have to vote to even consider a resolution of impeachment.

"This will be probably the most important vote I've ever taken in the legislature if we do go down the impeachment road," said Rep. Thad Viers (R-Horry County).

Viers says if the House and Senate vote to approve a resolution that will impeach the governor, lawmakers could call a special order and come back and debate it later this year, in a few weeks, or even on Tuesday.

"I don't anticipate us taking it up [Tuesday] based on the conversations I've had with leadership and other members in both bodies," said Viers.

"He's disappointed a lot of people in South Carolina. A lot of people have been mad. He's been going along on his apology tour. I think a lot of people are having second thoughts about getting rid of him or not. It will be a lively debate. I don't think it will go long," said Rep. Nelson Hardwick (R-Horry County).

 Even though Hardwick signed a letter asking the governor to resign, he says when it comes to impeaching the governor, he says it's still a decision that is up in the air.

"I don't know yet. I need to hear the definitions of and some legal ease about what's there. I don't want to raise the bar or lower the bar for elected officials in the state of South Carolina," said Hardwick.

Viers says he's not voting on a resolution of impeachment until the South Carolina Ethics Commission finishes their investigation into Sanford's travel records.

Sanford admitted to an extra-marital affair in June, and ever since, his travel records have been called into question.

"The actions the governor took in his personal life were wrong. I don't think that justifies a constitutionally required forced removal from office," said Viers.

However, if an ethics investigation shows the governor purposely broke a law, Viers says he will not only vote to impeach the governor, he would ask the Speaker of the House to create a special committee to handle impeachment proceedings.

We spoke to Sanford’s spokesperson Ben Fox and asked him if the Governor thought lawmakers would vote on a resolution of impeachment.  He told us he “wasn’t going there.”

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