On Dec. 18, Donald Trump became the third president in history to be impeached.

Somerville’s congressional Representative Ayanna Pressley voted with the House in favor of his impeachment.

“I rise today to protect our democracy. Today we take a stand against corruption and abuses of power. What we are doing here today is not only patriotic, it is uniquely American,” she said. “America, IS a story of ordinary people confronting abuses of power with the steadfast pursuit of justice. Throughout our history the oppressed have been relegated to the margins by the powerful. And each time we have fought back. Deliberate in our approach. Clear eyed.”

She recognized how each generation has fought for democracy, and how this moment shows due diligence by Congress in pursuit of the truth.

“Today, we send a clear message. We will not tolerate abuses of power from the President of the United States of America,” Pressley said. “The future of this nation rests in our hands. It is with a heavy heart but a resolved one, and because I believe our democracy is worth fighting for, I will vote to impeach Donald J. Trump. I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

The vote fell squarely on partisan lines: No Republican representatives voted for impeachment, though a few Democrats broke with the party to vote against it. The next step is a Senate trial, though House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reluctant to send the articles to the Republican-held Senate until they agree to the House terms.