The Missouri House of Representatives will be holding hearings on Wednesday to discuss whether to impeach the state's Democratic governor, Jay Nixon.
Nixon is potentially facing three charges, all put forward by Republicans.
One is for an executive order Nixon released in 2013 that directed state officials to accept joint tax returns from same-sex couples who are married in other states. One charges that Nixon has been too slow in calling special elections. The third says Nixon's punishment for state officials who released a database of permits for residents in the state who carry concealed weapons was too lenient.
Nixon's administration has previously described the impeachment effort as a "publicity stunt," and observers say there's little chance that any of the articles of impeachment raised will actually make it to the floor for a vote. Even if they were to somehow clear the House and the Senate, however, Missouri law mandates that impeachment would have to be approved by five of seven Senate-appointed judges.
Suffice it to say, Gov. Nixon probably has other worries on his mind.
Shares