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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/oct/31/trump-news-today-live-impeachment-inquiry-tim-morrison
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| Trump's top Russia official to reportedly confirm Taylor's account of quid pro quo – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| House Democrats appear largely unified in support of the resolution outlining next steps in the impeachment inquiry. | |
| Only two members of the House Democratic caucus – Colin Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey – were expected to vote against the resolution. | |
| Dem leaders expect to lose just two votes: Colin Peterson (whose district went for Trump +30 in 2016) and Jeff Van Drew (Trump +5) https://t.co/Y0EXilCDCn | |
| However, House Republicans were also expected to be unified in opposition to the resolution, so they will likely cite the vote’s outcome to bolster their argument that the investigation is highly partisan. | |
| Nancy Pelosi rather unusually presided over the House herself this morning as members began to debate the impeachment resolution. | |
| .@SpeakerPelosi taking the unusual step of presiding over the House herself as they begin debate on the procedures for the impeachment inquiry going forward | |
| The resolution, which outlines the procedures the House will follow as the inquiry advances to public hearings, will likely get a vote between 10.30am and 11.30am ET. | |
| Pelosi is also expected to speak to reporters about the resolution at the House speaker’s press briefing in about 30 minutes. | |
| Tim Morrison, the national security council official currently testifying behind closed doors in the impeachment inquiry, reportedly intends to confirm Bill Taylor’s account that the White House held up Ukraine’s military assistance to push for public announcements of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. | Tim Morrison, the national security council official currently testifying behind closed doors in the impeachment inquiry, reportedly intends to confirm Bill Taylor’s account that the White House held up Ukraine’s military assistance to push for public announcements of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| Morrison is expected to tell impeachment investigators on Thursday that the account offered by Ambassador William B. Taylor Jr., is accurate, particularly that Morrison alerted him to the president’s and his deputies’ push to withhold security aid and a meeting with the Ukrainian president until Ukraine announced an investigation of the Bidens and 2016 election interference, the person said on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive discussions. | Morrison is expected to tell impeachment investigators on Thursday that the account offered by Ambassador William B. Taylor Jr., is accurate, particularly that Morrison alerted him to the president’s and his deputies’ push to withhold security aid and a meeting with the Ukrainian president until Ukraine announced an investigation of the Bidens and 2016 election interference, the person said on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive discussions. |
| Morrison will also say that he did not necessarily view the president’s demands as improper or illegal, but rather problematic for U.S. policy in supporting an ally in the region, the person said. | Morrison will also say that he did not necessarily view the president’s demands as improper or illegal, but rather problematic for U.S. policy in supporting an ally in the region, the person said. |
| House Democrats are hoping that Tim Morrison can provide the key link between Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who has denied any quid pro quo in the delaying of military assistance to Ukraine, and Bill Taylor, who outlined such a scheme in his testimony to impeachment investigators. | House Democrats are hoping that Tim Morrison can provide the key link between Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who has denied any quid pro quo in the delaying of military assistance to Ukraine, and Bill Taylor, who outlined such a scheme in his testimony to impeachment investigators. |
| However, despite Morrison’s imminent departure from the national security council, the official may not be looking to reveal everything he knows to the House committees this morning. | However, despite Morrison’s imminent departure from the national security council, the official may not be looking to reveal everything he knows to the House committees this morning. |
| The Washington Post’s Josh Rogin writes: | The Washington Post’s Josh Rogin writes: |
| Democrats might not want to pin their impeachment hopes on his testimony Thursday, because there are three things Morrison is not: a whistleblower, a Never Trumper or a potential member of the Resistance. ... | Democrats might not want to pin their impeachment hopes on his testimony Thursday, because there are three things Morrison is not: a whistleblower, a Never Trumper or a potential member of the Resistance. ... |
| [Morrison] likely won’t give the Democrats the thing they want most, a full-throated endorsement of their characterization of the Ukraine scheme as a quid pro quo. Morrison will likely try to stick to the facts, be honest and not burn his bosses or the president in the process. That won’t be easy. | [Morrison] likely won’t give the Democrats the thing they want most, a full-throated endorsement of their characterization of the Ukraine scheme as a quid pro quo. Morrison will likely try to stick to the facts, be honest and not burn his bosses or the president in the process. That won’t be easy. |
| Good morning, live blog readers! | Good morning, live blog readers! |
| Today’s impeachment proceedings are underway, with Tim Morrison having already arrived for his closed-door testimony with the committees leading the inquiry. | Today’s impeachment proceedings are underway, with Tim Morrison having already arrived for his closed-door testimony with the committees leading the inquiry. |
| AND Tim Morrison in the House for his closed door deposition pic.twitter.com/Ldozeg5DI1 | AND Tim Morrison in the House for his closed door deposition pic.twitter.com/Ldozeg5DI1 |
| Morrison’s appearance was already highly anticipated, given Bill Taylor’s reported testimony last week that the national security council official told him about Gordon Sondland allegedly informing Ukrainian officials their US military aid was contingent on public announcements of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. | Morrison’s appearance was already highly anticipated, given Bill Taylor’s reported testimony last week that the national security council official told him about Gordon Sondland allegedly informing Ukrainian officials their US military aid was contingent on public announcements of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. |
| However, Morrison’s testimony is even more dramatic following last night’s reports that the official is stepping down from his post at the White House. It’s still unclear whether Morrison resigned voluntarily or was asked to leave, but the development puts even more weight on what he may tell impeachment investigators today. | However, Morrison’s testimony is even more dramatic following last night’s reports that the official is stepping down from his post at the White House. It’s still unclear whether Morrison resigned voluntarily or was asked to leave, but the development puts even more weight on what he may tell impeachment investigators today. |
| Here’s what else the bog is keeping an eye on: | Here’s what else the bog is keeping an eye on: |
| Trump has no events on his public schedule today, so some impeachment-themed tweets seem likely. | Trump has no events on his public schedule today, so some impeachment-themed tweets seem likely. |
| The House vote on the impeachment resolution will likely happen between 10.30am and 11.30am ET. | The House vote on the impeachment resolution will likely happen between 10.30am and 11.30am ET. |
| Nancy Pelosi will brief reporters at 10.15am ET. | Nancy Pelosi will brief reporters at 10.15am ET. |
| The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. |