In a speech on the House floor Monday, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, broke ranks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, becoming the first member of the Connecticut delegation to join more than 70 congressional Democrats calling for an impeachment inquiry into the acts of President Donald J. Trump.

“My motive today is not to pressure the speaker of the House, whose leadership in this Congress has been superb,” Himes in a speech prepared for delivery. “She leads us today in the epic mission of defending our democracy. That mission requires a vigorous debate and competing ideas, but it also requires care, discipline and a measure of deference.

“There are moments for careful calculation. For weighing political expediency and conflicting interests. And there moments for clarity and conviction. This is that moment.”

As a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, Himes has played a role in congressional inquiries into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. But until now he has declined to join the push for an impeachment inquiry opposed by Pelosi, who would rather seen the other House inquiries continue.