This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/us/politics/impeachment.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Trump Impeachment Vote Live Updates: House Debates Articles After Rejecting Republican Objections Trump Impeachment Vote Live Updates: House Opens Debates on Articles After Clearing Key Procedural Test
(32 minutes later)
The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday open debate on articles of impeachment against President Trump, clearing a key procedural hurdle that moved Democrats a step closer to final votes to charge the president with committing high crimes and misdemeanors.
The vote paved the way for six hours of what promises to be fierce debate about whether Mr. Trump should be impeached on two articles accusing him of abuse of power and obstructing Congress. It served as an early test vote that indicated the House would proceed as expected later Wednesday to approve the articles themselves, making Mr. Trump the third president in history to be impeached.
“If a president undermining our national security and using the federal government for his own selfish personal gain is not impeachable conduct, then, Madam Speaker, I don’t know what is,” said Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Lawmakers voted 228 to 197 to move forward, signaling that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has succeeded in unifying House Democrats behind the effort to remove the president. The articles of impeachment assert that Mr. Trump abused the power of his office by soliciting Ukraine’s help in discrediting his political rivals, seeking an advantage in the 2020 election, and then obstructed Congress by trying to block its inquiry.
It unfolded after Republicans attempted to derail the proceeding on Wednesday morning, forcing a pair of procedural votes to register their opposition to an impeachment process Mr. Trump has branded a coup, and which they have called grossly unfair.
Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the committee, said the Democrats were being partisan, using “cherry picked” evidence to fit their narrative. “If we’re really being honest,” he said, “Democrats have been searching to impeach President Trump since the day he was elected.”
The rule approved on Wednesday gave Republicans and Democrats each three hours to make their cases for or against impeaching Mr. Trump. Approval of the articles, scheduled for the evening, is expected to set the stage for a historic trial in the Senate early in the new year, which would unfold just 10 months before the president stands for re-election.
As the House opened debate on the rules for considering impeachment on Wednesday, Democrats and Republicans clashed over whether Mr. Trump should be the third president in American history to be formally charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.As the House opened debate on the rules for considering impeachment on Wednesday, Democrats and Republicans clashed over whether Mr. Trump should be the third president in American history to be formally charged with high crimes and misdemeanors.
“If a president undermining our national security and using the federal government for his own selfish personal gain is not impeachable conduct, then, Madam Speaker, I don’t know what is,” said Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Rules Committee.“If a president undermining our national security and using the federal government for his own selfish personal gain is not impeachable conduct, then, Madam Speaker, I don’t know what is,” said Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the committee, said the Democrats were being partisan, using “cherry picked” evidence to fit their narrative. “If we’re really being honest,” he said, “Democrats have been searching to impeach President Trump since the day he was elected.”Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the committee, said the Democrats were being partisan, using “cherry picked” evidence to fit their narrative. “If we’re really being honest,” he said, “Democrats have been searching to impeach President Trump since the day he was elected.”
The House of Representatives turned back the first two of what may be a string of Republican efforts to block impeachment of President Trump in early tests of partisan solidarity on Wednesday, rejecting back-to-back motions on strictly party-line votes.The House of Representatives turned back the first two of what may be a string of Republican efforts to block impeachment of President Trump in early tests of partisan solidarity on Wednesday, rejecting back-to-back motions on strictly party-line votes.
The House voted 226 to 188 to block a motion to adjourn without considering the articles of impeachment and then voted 226 to 191 to put aside a Republican resolution condemning the inquiry as an illegitimate and unfair violation of House rules.The House voted 226 to 188 to block a motion to adjourn without considering the articles of impeachment and then voted 226 to 191 to put aside a Republican resolution condemning the inquiry as an illegitimate and unfair violation of House rules.
The second resolution, introduced by Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader, outlined a litany of complaints about the way the inquiry was run by Representatives Adam B. Schiff of California and Jerrold Nadler of New York, the Democratic chairmen of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.The second resolution, introduced by Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader, outlined a litany of complaints about the way the inquiry was run by Representatives Adam B. Schiff of California and Jerrold Nadler of New York, the Democratic chairmen of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
Their “abuses of power,” as Mr. McCarthy’s resolution put it, echoing one of the charges against Mr. Trump, “willfully trampled on the rights of the minority” and “brought dishonor and discredit upon the House of Representatives.” Democrats moved to table the resolution, and the vote unfolded along party lines.Their “abuses of power,” as Mr. McCarthy’s resolution put it, echoing one of the charges against Mr. Trump, “willfully trampled on the rights of the minority” and “brought dishonor and discredit upon the House of Representatives.” Democrats moved to table the resolution, and the vote unfolded along party lines.
“It’s going to be a lot of walking up these stairs today, I think,” Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat, said as he climbed the steps from his Capitol office to vote on the first of the procedural votes called by Republicans.“It’s going to be a lot of walking up these stairs today, I think,” Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat, said as he climbed the steps from his Capitol office to vote on the first of the procedural votes called by Republicans.
In the morning, the House is expected to debate the rules that the House Rules Committee hashed out on Tuesday with a vote expected around noon. This will be the first procedural vote by the full chamber to lay the groundwork for formally impeaching Mr. Trump. The rules call for six hours of debate, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, on the articles.In the morning, the House is expected to debate the rules that the House Rules Committee hashed out on Tuesday with a vote expected around noon. This will be the first procedural vote by the full chamber to lay the groundwork for formally impeaching Mr. Trump. The rules call for six hours of debate, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, on the articles.
Republicans opened the day with several parliamentary moves to register their opposition and slow the process, and may continue to do so throughout the proceedings, which could lead to multiple procedural votes throughout the day, like the motion to adjourn, that don’t amount to much. The votes everyone is waiting for — on the two articles of impeachment — are expected in the evening. House leaders anticipate two separate votes on the two articles to begin at 7:15 p.m. and wrap up about 20 minutes later.Republicans opened the day with several parliamentary moves to register their opposition and slow the process, and may continue to do so throughout the proceedings, which could lead to multiple procedural votes throughout the day, like the motion to adjourn, that don’t amount to much. The votes everyone is waiting for — on the two articles of impeachment — are expected in the evening. House leaders anticipate two separate votes on the two articles to begin at 7:15 p.m. and wrap up about 20 minutes later.
The House may also vote to empower Ms. Pelosi to name impeachment managers, whose identities are likely to become public in the coming days. The managers are House members who act much like prosecutors in the impeachment trial that is to follow in the Senate, presenting the findings of the House inquiry to their colleagues across the Capitol. Senators decide whether to acquit the president or to convict and remove him from office, which requires a two-thirds vote, or 67 senators if all are present.The House may also vote to empower Ms. Pelosi to name impeachment managers, whose identities are likely to become public in the coming days. The managers are House members who act much like prosecutors in the impeachment trial that is to follow in the Senate, presenting the findings of the House inquiry to their colleagues across the Capitol. Senators decide whether to acquit the president or to convict and remove him from office, which requires a two-thirds vote, or 67 senators if all are present.
As the momentous debate started shortly after 10 a.m., the House floor was hardly gripped by tension. Only a handful of Republican lawmakers sat in their seats as Mr. McGovern kicked off debate on the rules to guide consideration of the articles of impeachment. A few Democrats huddled in conversation behind him.As the momentous debate started shortly after 10 a.m., the House floor was hardly gripped by tension. Only a handful of Republican lawmakers sat in their seats as Mr. McGovern kicked off debate on the rules to guide consideration of the articles of impeachment. A few Democrats huddled in conversation behind him.
“This is democracy-defining moment,” Mr. McGovern, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, intoned to the mostly-empty chamber. About 120 members of the public sat quietly in the gallery, listening to the beginning of the debate.“This is democracy-defining moment,” Mr. McGovern, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, intoned to the mostly-empty chamber. About 120 members of the public sat quietly in the gallery, listening to the beginning of the debate.
The historic chamber had been boisterous earlier in the morning, with many members engaged in loud conversations on the floor as Republicans used procedural motions in an unsuccessful attempt to derail impeachment. But once the debate began, most members departed.The historic chamber had been boisterous earlier in the morning, with many members engaged in loud conversations on the floor as Republicans used procedural motions in an unsuccessful attempt to derail impeachment. But once the debate began, most members departed.
One who remained was Ms. Pelosi, who sat in the back row, reading notes and quietly listening to the discussion of the impeachment process that she set in motion months ago. Several members approached her for brief conversations while Representative Tom Cole, of Oklahoma, the senior Republican on the Rules panel, opened his side’s argument in opposition to the impeachment articles.One who remained was Ms. Pelosi, who sat in the back row, reading notes and quietly listening to the discussion of the impeachment process that she set in motion months ago. Several members approached her for brief conversations while Representative Tom Cole, of Oklahoma, the senior Republican on the Rules panel, opened his side’s argument in opposition to the impeachment articles.
Ms. Pelosi chose Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, a veteran Democrat who had impressed her with a tough, skillful parliamentary hand, to preside over the historic debate on the articles of impeachment.Ms. Pelosi chose Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, a veteran Democrat who had impressed her with a tough, skillful parliamentary hand, to preside over the historic debate on the articles of impeachment.
Ms. DeGette, first elected in 1996, was until this year the Democrats’ chief deputy whip — the member of leadership responsible for counting votes, known in congressional parlance as “whipping.” She has held the gavel more than a dozen times this year, rotating in and out of the chair as members customarily do.Ms. DeGette, first elected in 1996, was until this year the Democrats’ chief deputy whip — the member of leadership responsible for counting votes, known in congressional parlance as “whipping.” She has held the gavel more than a dozen times this year, rotating in and out of the chair as members customarily do.
On Wednesday, she will spend the entire day in the chair. Her skills managing unruly proceedings on the House floor were quickly put to the test when Republicans moved to shut down debate on the articles of impeachment even before it had begun.On Wednesday, she will spend the entire day in the chair. Her skills managing unruly proceedings on the House floor were quickly put to the test when Republicans moved to shut down debate on the articles of impeachment even before it had begun.
A top aide to Ms. Pelosi said Ms. DeGette had impressed the speaker with her past performance in the presiding officer’s chair. But Ms. Pelosi herself will preside over the vote, the aide said.A top aide to Ms. Pelosi said Ms. DeGette had impressed the speaker with her past performance in the presiding officer’s chair. But Ms. Pelosi herself will preside over the vote, the aide said.
— Sheryl Gay Stolberg— Sheryl Gay Stolberg
Mr. Trump may end his day as the third president in American history to be impeached, but he started it as the first president to live-tweet his own impeachment.Mr. Trump may end his day as the third president in American history to be impeached, but he started it as the first president to live-tweet his own impeachment.
By 11 a.m., just two hours into the House proceedings, Mr. Trump had already posted or reposted 42 messages on Twitter, most of them condemning Democrats for seeking to charge him with high crimes and insisting he did nothing wrong. By 11:45 a.m., nearly three hours into the House proceedings, Mr. Trump had already posted or reposted 45 messages on Twitter, most of them condemning Democrats for seeking to charge him with high crimes and insisting he did nothing wrong.
In typical Trumpian fashion, he assailed Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Schiff and other Democrats in incendiary terms. “Will go down in history as worst Speaker,” he wrote about Ms. Pelosi at one point. “Already thrown out once!” he added, apparently a reference to the 2010 midterm elections when Republicans won the majority from Democrats before losing it to them again in 2018.In typical Trumpian fashion, he assailed Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Schiff and other Democrats in incendiary terms. “Will go down in history as worst Speaker,” he wrote about Ms. Pelosi at one point. “Already thrown out once!” he added, apparently a reference to the 2010 midterm elections when Republicans won the majority from Democrats before losing it to them again in 2018.
Coming a day after he sent Ms. Pelosi a six-page letter complaining about what he cast as the injustice of impeachment, Mr. Trump also insisted again that he did nothing wrong and tweaked Ms. Pelosi, who has said she was praying for the president.Coming a day after he sent Ms. Pelosi a six-page letter complaining about what he cast as the injustice of impeachment, Mr. Trump also insisted again that he did nothing wrong and tweaked Ms. Pelosi, who has said she was praying for the president.
“Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG!” he wrote. “A terrible Thing. Read the Transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!”“Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG!” he wrote. “A terrible Thing. Read the Transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!”
With the final outcome seemingly preordained, perhaps the only suspense about the vote on Wednesday will be how many Democrats break with the party and oppose impeachment.With the final outcome seemingly preordained, perhaps the only suspense about the vote on Wednesday will be how many Democrats break with the party and oppose impeachment.
Two House Democrats who registered their opposition to the inquiry by voting against its ground rules in October, Representatives Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, plan to vote against the articles as well — and Mr. Van Drew is expected to leave the party altogether to become a Republican.Two House Democrats who registered their opposition to the inquiry by voting against its ground rules in October, Representatives Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, plan to vote against the articles as well — and Mr. Van Drew is expected to leave the party altogether to become a Republican.
Another 14 Democrats have said they were undecided or have not responded to The Times survey, but only one of them, Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin, represents a district won by Mr. Trump. The rest of the so-called front-line Democrats representing Republican areas announced their support for impeachment in recent days, suggesting that the party was rallying behind the effort.Another 14 Democrats have said they were undecided or have not responded to The Times survey, but only one of them, Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin, represents a district won by Mr. Trump. The rest of the so-called front-line Democrats representing Republican areas announced their support for impeachment in recent days, suggesting that the party was rallying behind the effort.
No Republican has announced support for impeachment, and while 30 have not said how they would vote, few expect any to break with the president.No Republican has announced support for impeachment, and while 30 have not said how they would vote, few expect any to break with the president.
Assuming the House proceeds with impeachment as anticipated, the fate of Mr. Trump’s presidency will soon be in the hands of the Senate, whose leaders are already quarreling over how to put on a fair trial in an era of deep divisions.Assuming the House proceeds with impeachment as anticipated, the fate of Mr. Trump’s presidency will soon be in the hands of the Senate, whose leaders are already quarreling over how to put on a fair trial in an era of deep divisions.
Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Chuck Schumer of New York, the Republican and Democratic leaders, hardly waited for the House vote to debate how to proceed. On Tuesday, Mr. McConnell rejected Mr. Schumer’s proposal to call four witnesses who did not testify in the House inquiry, arguing that it was not the Senate’s job to complete a rushed and inadequate investigation by the House.Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Chuck Schumer of New York, the Republican and Democratic leaders, hardly waited for the House vote to debate how to proceed. On Tuesday, Mr. McConnell rejected Mr. Schumer’s proposal to call four witnesses who did not testify in the House inquiry, arguing that it was not the Senate’s job to complete a rushed and inadequate investigation by the House.
But even as Mr. McConnell and other Republicans assailed House Democrats for not hearing from key witnesses, they generally did not fault the White House for blocking those witnesses from testifying in the first place. Instead, they said the blame lay with Democrats for not going to court to challenge the White House refusal to cooperate, an approach that Democrats rejected because they concluded the judicial process would take too long.But even as Mr. McConnell and other Republicans assailed House Democrats for not hearing from key witnesses, they generally did not fault the White House for blocking those witnesses from testifying in the first place. Instead, they said the blame lay with Democrats for not going to court to challenge the White House refusal to cooperate, an approach that Democrats rejected because they concluded the judicial process would take too long.
Mr. McConnell was navigating a tricky position of balancing Mr. Trump’s desire for vindication through a trial and the positions of vulnerable Republican senators who are concerned that an abbreviated trial or one that seems tilted to Mr. Trump would make it look like they did not take the charges seriously.Mr. McConnell was navigating a tricky position of balancing Mr. Trump’s desire for vindication through a trial and the positions of vulnerable Republican senators who are concerned that an abbreviated trial or one that seems tilted to Mr. Trump would make it look like they did not take the charges seriously.
The various sides will continue to try to formulate a plan for the trial on Wednesday even as the House formally decides whether one will be needed.The various sides will continue to try to formulate a plan for the trial on Wednesday even as the House formally decides whether one will be needed.