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House votes to formalize impeachment process against Trump – live House votes to formalize impeachment process against Trump – live
(32 minutes later)
In their press conference after the passage of the impeachment resolution, senior House Democrats provided little clarity on when they might release transcripts from their closed-door depositions or move to public hearings in the investigation.
Top Democrats have stressed that today's vote will finally let the public see the evidence against Trump.Still, key chairmen - including Schiff and Nadler - offered zero guidance today on when we might see transcripts or public hearings.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The House passed its impeachment resolution outlining next steps in the inquiry as Democratic leaders advance toward public hearings.
The nearly party-line vote on the resolution — all but two House Democrats voted for it, while every House Republican opposed it — sparked complaints from the White House and Trump’s allies that the investigation was allegedly too partisan.
Tim Morrison, the national security council official who is stepping down from his post, is testifying to impeachment investigators and reportedly verified much of Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine.
The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned.
Representative Lee Zeldin, one of Trump’s congressional allies, is calling on the House intelligence committee to release the transcripts from closed-door depositions in the impeachment inquiry so that lawmakers can debate the “substance” of the allegations against the president.Representative Lee Zeldin, one of Trump’s congressional allies, is calling on the House intelligence committee to release the transcripts from closed-door depositions in the impeachment inquiry so that lawmakers can debate the “substance” of the allegations against the president.
Wow, now Lee Zeldin is getting HEATED as he rips the media, rips Adam Schiff & rips Biden. “Release the damn transcripts! ... Bring it on about substance!”Colleagues keep cheering for him.Wow, now Lee Zeldin is getting HEATED as he rips the media, rips Adam Schiff & rips Biden. “Release the damn transcripts! ... Bring it on about substance!”Colleagues keep cheering for him.
However, Republicans have so far been fairly hesitant to discuss the substance of the accusations as more witnesses come forward with damning testimony pointing to a quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine.However, Republicans have so far been fairly hesitant to discuss the substance of the accusations as more witnesses come forward with damning testimony pointing to a quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine.
House Republicans and Democrats are holding separate press conferences now in the wake of the impeachment resolution’s passage.House Republicans and Democrats are holding separate press conferences now in the wake of the impeachment resolution’s passage.
Republican leadership unsurprisingly pointed to the nearly party-line vote as evidence that the investigtion is allegedly highly partisan and unfair to Trump.Republican leadership unsurprisingly pointed to the nearly party-line vote as evidence that the investigtion is allegedly highly partisan and unfair to Trump.
Big show of unity from the House GOP after the vote on impeachment procedures. McCarthy bringing up Pelosi’s insistence earlier this year that impeachment be bipartisan. Yet today, it was two Dems who crossed party lines — to vote AGAINST the resolution. pic.twitter.com/OnfA0aFlcRBig show of unity from the House GOP after the vote on impeachment procedures. McCarthy bringing up Pelosi’s insistence earlier this year that impeachment be bipartisan. Yet today, it was two Dems who crossed party lines — to vote AGAINST the resolution. pic.twitter.com/OnfA0aFlcR
However, it’s worth noting that seemingly none of the Republican messaging against impeachment actually touches on the serious allegations facing the president.However, it’s worth noting that seemingly none of the Republican messaging against impeachment actually touches on the serious allegations facing the president.
As the inquiry moves to public hearings, Republicans may be increasingly asked to weigh in on the accusations, and they’ll need to come up with an answer.As the inquiry moves to public hearings, Republicans may be increasingly asked to weigh in on the accusations, and they’ll need to come up with an answer.
The nearly party-line vote on the impeachment resolution marks a departure from how Bill Clinton’s impeachment was handled in the House, per an NBC News correspondent.The nearly party-line vote on the impeachment resolution marks a departure from how Bill Clinton’s impeachment was handled in the House, per an NBC News correspondent.
Far fewer cross-overs today than in the last impeachment inquiry vote in the House. In Oct. '98, 31 D's voted with R's to launch an inquiry of Clinton (with no R's voting No). Today, no R's voted with D's and 2 D's voted with R's.Far fewer cross-overs today than in the last impeachment inquiry vote in the House. In Oct. '98, 31 D's voted with R's to launch an inquiry of Clinton (with no R's voting No). Today, no R's voted with D's and 2 D's voted with R's.
House Republicans will likely cite the final vote count as evidence that the inquiry is highly partisan and unfair to Trump.House Republicans will likely cite the final vote count as evidence that the inquiry is highly partisan and unfair to Trump.
However, the vote still marks a momentous development in Trump’s presidency and US history, as a PBS NewsHour reporter pointed out.However, the vote still marks a momentous development in Trump’s presidency and US history, as a PBS NewsHour reporter pointed out.
Democrats say this is a formal vote affirming the impeachment inquiry. Republicans say this is a vote to continue a process that is robbing the president of due process.What’s clear: This impeachment inquiry vote will be marked in history and Trump now needs a future strategyDemocrats say this is a formal vote affirming the impeachment inquiry. Republicans say this is a vote to continue a process that is robbing the president of due process.What’s clear: This impeachment inquiry vote will be marked in history and Trump now needs a future strategy
One of the two House Democrats who voted against the impeachment resolution, Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, said in a statement that he feared the nearly party-line decision would “further divide the country.”One of the two House Democrats who voted against the impeachment resolution, Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, said in a statement that he feared the nearly party-line decision would “further divide the country.”
However, the freshman congressman left open the possibility of eventually backing Trump’s impeachment depending on where the evidence led investigators.However, the freshman congressman left open the possibility of eventually backing Trump’s impeachment depending on where the evidence led investigators.
In a statement, ⁦@CongressmanJVD⁩ says his “no” vote on the resolution doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll vote no on impeachment — he’ll make a “judgment call based on all the evidence presented by these investigations” —> pic.twitter.com/Hr1AwOfeJxIn a statement, ⁦@CongressmanJVD⁩ says his “no” vote on the resolution doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll vote no on impeachment — he’ll make a “judgment call based on all the evidence presented by these investigations” —> pic.twitter.com/Hr1AwOfeJx
Democratic presidential candidates voiced support for House Democrats after they passed a resolution outlining next steps in the impeachment inquiry.Democratic presidential candidates voiced support for House Democrats after they passed a resolution outlining next steps in the impeachment inquiry.
This president took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. So did every member of Congress. This president violated that oath, betraying our country and leaving our representatives with no choice but to uphold their own. Congress must move forward with impeachment.This president took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. So did every member of Congress. This president violated that oath, betraying our country and leaving our representatives with no choice but to uphold their own. Congress must move forward with impeachment.
Reminder: no one is above the law, including the president of the United States.Reminder: no one is above the law, including the president of the United States.
Trump may have betrayed his oath of office, but we will honor ours. Proud of House Democrats for putting partisan politics aside and setting up a process that builds consensus by ensuring the American people see the damning evidence.Trump may have betrayed his oath of office, but we will honor ours. Proud of House Democrats for putting partisan politics aside and setting up a process that builds consensus by ensuring the American people see the damning evidence.
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, weighed in on the impeachment vote by quoting Thomas Jefferson’s dour reflections on Washington.Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, weighed in on the impeachment vote by quoting Thomas Jefferson’s dour reflections on Washington.
“…surrounded by enemies and spies catching and perverting every word that falls from my lips or flows from my pen, and inventing where facts fail them.” -Thomas Jefferson’s reflections on Washington, D.C. in a letter to his daughter Martha.Some things never change, dad!“…surrounded by enemies and spies catching and perverting every word that falls from my lips or flows from my pen, and inventing where facts fail them.” -Thomas Jefferson’s reflections on Washington, D.C. in a letter to his daughter Martha.Some things never change, dad!
Nancy Pelosi made the rather unusual decision to cast a vote on the impeachment resolution, marking a departure from House speakers’ general tendency to refrain from weighing in.Nancy Pelosi made the rather unusual decision to cast a vote on the impeachment resolution, marking a departure from House speakers’ general tendency to refrain from weighing in.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) voted aye on the impeachment resolution. It is rare for House Speakers to vote. After the vote, Pelosi told me today “is sad.” Said “we will have a prayerful moment.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) voted aye on the impeachment resolution. It is rare for House Speakers to vote. After the vote, Pelosi told me today “is sad.” Said “we will have a prayerful moment.”
Four House members⁠ — three Republicans and one Democrat ⁠— were unable to vote on the impeachment resolution due to absences.Four House members⁠ — three Republicans and one Democrat ⁠— were unable to vote on the impeachment resolution due to absences.
The 4 members not voting today due to absence per whips office:Hice (R-GA)McEachin (D-VA)John Rose (R-TN)Timmons (R-SC)The 4 members not voting today due to absence per whips office:Hice (R-GA)McEachin (D-VA)John Rose (R-TN)Timmons (R-SC)
Trump’s press secretary has now issued a statement slamming Democrats’ “unhinged obsession with this illegitimate impeachment proceeding” in the wake of the resolution’s passage.
Stephanie Grisham said in the statement: “The President has done nothing wrong, and the Democrats know it. Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats’ unhinged obsession with this illegitimate impeachment proceeding does not hurt President Trump; it hurts the American people. ...
“With today’s vote, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats have done nothing more than enshrine unacceptable violations of due process into House rules. ... The Democrats want to render a verdict without giving the Administration a chance to mount a defense. That is unfair, unconstitutional, and fundamentally un-American.”
Speaking at her press briefing this morning, Pelosi said that the rules outlined in the resolution were “fairer than anything that have gone before in terms of an impeachment proceeding.”
"These rules are fairer than anything that have gone before in terms of an impeachment proceeding," Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells ABC News' @maryKbruce when asked about Republican criticism that the impeachment inquiry rules are unfair https://t.co/tMBaXA7dn3 pic.twitter.com/5MtgrRS4TQ
A bit of chaos has broken out on the House floor following the passage of the impeachment resolution, with Republicans shouting “objection” and Democrats calling for order.
Republicans drowning out the clerk on the House floor, as dozens of members shouting, "regular order!" and "we have rules!"Pelosi is shaking her head.
The vote has concluded on the impeachment resolution, and it has officially passed the House with a vote of 232-196.
Two Democrats, Colin Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, voted against the resolution, while every House Republican opposed the measure.
One independent lawmaker, former Republican Justin Amash, joined the vast majority of Democrats in supporting the resolution.
The impeachment resolution has reached a majority level of support, receiving at least least 228 “yea” votes, and it will clear the way for public hearings.
Collin Peterson, a Democratic congressman from an overwhelmingly Trump district in Minnesota, voted with Republicans on the procedural vote for the impeachment resolution.
There were widespread suspicions that Peterson would not join his Democratic colleagues in backing the resolution, given the political breakdown of his district.
Representative Jeff Van Drew also voted against the procedural motion, but the Democratic congressman had previously signaled his opposition.
Justin Amash, the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party over opposition to Trump, has confirmed that he intends to vote for the impeachment resolution.
In a morning tweet, Amash encouraged his Republican colleagues to “step outside your media and social bubble” and consider the historic ramifications of their decision to stand by Trump.
This president will be in power for only a short time, but excusing his misbehavior will forever tarnish your name. To my Republican colleagues: Step outside your media and social bubble. History will not look kindly on disingenuous, frivolous, and false defenses of this man.
House members are currently taking a procedural vote on the impeachment resolution. The vote on the resolution itself will likely begin in about 15 minutes and conclude around 11.30am ET.
With this procedural vote starting at 10:55 am et...Fox estimates the VOTE ITSELF ON THE IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION will begin at 11:20ish am Fox then estimates that the vote on the resolution. will conclude around 11:28 am
The House has concluded debate on the impeachment resolution and is moving on to the vote series that will determine whether members approve it.
Debate has now concluded on the impeachment resolution and the House is moving into the vote series currently taking a procedural vote and then the NEXT VOTE is the vote to adopt the resolution
House Republicans are now denouncing the impeachment resolution on the floor, with minority leader Kevin McCarthy accusing Democrats of ignoring other legislative priorities to focus on impeachment.
Republican leader McCarthy speaking now and the chamber just got a lot quieter. “We are not working for the American people” McCarthy said this Congress has issued more subpoenas than laws.
House minority whip Steve Scalise used a poster to repeat his claim that Democrats are pursuing “Soviet-style” tactics with their investigation.
The Republican pushback from members including @SteveScalise pic.twitter.com/h6e4Jy2PLe
However, a New Yorker writer and former Moscow bureau chief for the Washington Post contradicted that assessment of the inquiry.
Just in case anyone is unsure, Soviets did not have impeachment proceedings. They had the Gulag. https://t.co/kFfGn7jUZl
During her press conference, Nancy Pelosi also touched on the subject of Katie Hill, the Democratic congresswoman who announced her resignation Sunday following the release of nude photos of her and allegations of a relationship with one of her staffers.
Pelosi praised her fellow California Democrat as an “absolutely outstanding young public servant” who was “respected by her colleagues.”
The House speaker noted that Hill made her own determination about whether and when to resign. “She made her decision and her timing, and I respect that,” Pelosi said.
The speaker also noted that she has warned her grandchildren that “appearances” on social media can be taken out of context and “come back to haunt you.”
Hill is expected to deliver her final floor speech this afternoon, after the vote on the impeachment resolution.