U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Due to the lack of a full investigation into the charge of “incitement of insurrection,” Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, said he doesn’t support the articles of impeachment the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on today.

During a conference call with regional media outlets prior to the vote, Reed said the division and anger that is being exacerbated cannot be underappreciated as he calls for a peaceful transition of power to take place on Jan. 20 when President-elect Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States.

“Now is the time to take a deep breath. Now is the time to seek calmness. Stay calm,” he said. “To see reason in responses and our rhetoric. To go forward with the transition of power in a peaceful and calm matter.”

Instead of impeachment, yesterday Reed joined a group of bipartisan Congress members calling for a concurrent resolution to censure Trump for attempting to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election and for violating his oath of office on Jan. 6. Reed said in a statement that in the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol last week, lawmakers have the solemn duty to accomplish two missions: hold the president fully and unequivocally accountable for his actions and simultaneously calm and heal the fever-pitch tensions in our country.

“It is a legitimate tool,” Reed said during the conference call about the censure resolution. “It is a historic penalty that could be imposed if the leadership chooses that path.”