Washington, November 16 (RHC)-- In the U.S. capital, six Democrats in the House of Representatives have launched the latest official effort to oust US President Donald Trump, introducing five new articles of impeachment saying the president's "illegal conduct" including obstruction of justice is grounds for his removal.  “Given the magnitude of the constitutional crisis, there’s no reason for delay,” said Rep. Steve Cohen, from the state of Tennessee, the sponsor of the resolution. 

Joining Cohen in endorsing the articles are Democratic Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Al Green, Marcia Fudge, John Yarmuth and Adriano Espaillat.  Cohen says his charges include obstruction of justice related to Trump's pressuring and firing of FBI director James Comey over the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and possible coordination between Moscow and Trump's campaign. 

They also include alleged violations of the U.S. Constitution's emoluments clause, which forbids a sitting president from receiving money from a foreign power.  Finally, the Democrats say the president has undermined two of the country’s central institutions — the courts and the press — in ways that threaten the health of the nation’s democracy. 
 
Democrats have debated the political merits of pressing impeachment, as some have cautioned that an aggressive stance could provoke a backlash by Trump's conservative base at the ballot box.  But Cohen, who represents a relatively safe district with a large African-American constituency, said the move could help his party. 

"The Democratic base needs to know that there are members of Congress who are willing to stand up against this president and bring impeachment charges, and continue to bring light to the illegal conduct that's taking place and threatening our country," Cohen said. 

Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman also formally introduced an article of impeachment against Trump in July, accusing the president of obstructing justice during a federal investigation of Russia’s role in 2016 election.  A majority vote in the U.S. House of Representatives is necessary to impeach a president, which would lead to a trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is essential for conviction. 

Republicans control the House with a 46-seat advantage, so the chance of a vote or hearings on the matter is virtually zero for now.