MONTGOMERY, Ala. – With only nine meeting days left in the 2016 session, impeachment efforts against Alabama Governor Robert Bentley have slowed as legislators say necessary legislation to continue the process is not yet ready.
But Rules Chairman Mac McCutcheon said Tuesday that legislators don’t need to rush to resolve the issue in the next few weeks. A majority of House members can call a meeting to consider impeachment anytime the legislature is not in session, according to section 173 of the Alabama Constitution.
“We don’t need a knee jerk reaction just because we feel like we’ve got to do it before the session ends,” McCutcheon said.
Bentley last month acknowledged making sexually charged remarks to a female aide but denies a physical affair or misuse of his office.
Legislators last week tapped the brakes on impeachment proceedings when they announced plans to establish an investigatory committee, which McCutcheon said was necessary to vet an unprecedented and unclear process.