Impeachment action rejected during special session

House Speaker Bobby Harrell rejected action on impeachment today during a special session.

Harrell, a Charleston Republican, declined to allow Rep. Greg Delleney, a Chester Republican, to introduce a resolution to impeach Gov. Mark Sanford. Harrell said accepting the resolution would set a precedent that is contrary to the limited terms under which the Legislature is meeting in special session this week.

The point of the special session to fix an oversight that is blocking unemployment benefits to thousands of out-of-work residents. Lawmakers are also putting together economic incentives for a major deal that is under wraps.

Harrell said he will allow bills to be pre-filed in mid-November. After that, Harrell will assign the resolution to a committee that could begin work in advance of the Legislature's January return. Delleney plans to prefile the impeachment resolution.

A key investigation by the State Ethics Commission is expected in early November. House leaders want the members to wait on that investigation to see if impeachment is merited.

Whether the House can access that report is being challenged before the state Supreme Court by Sanford.

Impeachment must begin in the House.