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Impeachment vote live updates: House begins historic day of debate expected to end with Trump’s impeachment Impeachment vote live updates: House begins historic day of debate expected to end with Trump’s impeachment
(32 minutes later)
The House has begun a historic day of debate that is expected to end with votes to impeach President Trump for his conduct toward Ukraine, making him only the third president in U.S. history to receive that sanction.The House has begun a historic day of debate that is expected to end with votes to impeach President Trump for his conduct toward Ukraine, making him only the third president in U.S. history to receive that sanction.
Based on public announcements, Democrats have enough votes to approve articles of impeachment against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Wednesday’s action will lead to a trial in the Republican-led Senate, where a two-thirds vote would be required to remove the president from office.Based on public announcements, Democrats have enough votes to approve articles of impeachment against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Wednesday’s action will lead to a trial in the Republican-led Senate, where a two-thirds vote would be required to remove the president from office.
At the heart of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.At the heart of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
●Trump rips Democrats for ‘attempted coup’ on eve of likely impeachment.●Trump rips Democrats for ‘attempted coup’ on eve of likely impeachment.
●President appears resilient as he faces the ‘very ugly word’ of impeachment.●President appears resilient as he faces the ‘very ugly word’ of impeachment.
●To capture voters, both parties invoke radically different responses to impeachment.●To capture voters, both parties invoke radically different responses to impeachment.
Which House members support impeaching Trump |How impeachment works | House resolution impeaching Trump | House Judiciary Committee’s report| Other key documentsWhich House members support impeaching Trump |How impeachment works | House resolution impeaching Trump | House Judiciary Committee’s report| Other key documents
The House has begun an hour of debate over the rule that sets parameters for the debate on the two articles of impeachment against Trump.
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) opened by arguing that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine “to extract a personal political favor.”
“The president of the United States endangered our national security. The president undermined our democracy,” McGovern said.
Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), the top Republican on the Rules Committee, countered by saying that “today is a very sad day for all of us.”
He predicted “a deeply partisan vote coming at the end of an unfair and rushed process.”
Democrats have turned back a resolution by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to condemn House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) for their handling of the impeachment process.
A Democratic motion to table the resolution passed 226-191, meaning McCarthy’s resolution is no longer being considered.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made a second GOP motion Thursday morning that had the effect of delaying the proceedings.
The resolution would condemn House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) for their handling of the impeachment process.
It accuses Schiff, a frequent target of Trump, for “repeated and blatant abuse of power in a way that is not befitting an elected Member of the House of Representatives nor his position as Chairman.” And it denounces Nadler for not responding to Republicans’ request for an additional day of impeachment hearings.
Republicans sought to end the impeachment debate before it began Wednesday, with Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) making a motion to adjourn.Republicans sought to end the impeachment debate before it began Wednesday, with Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) making a motion to adjourn.
Surrounded by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Biggs said, “Madam Speaker, so we can stop wasting America’s time on impeachment, I move that the House do now adjourn.”Surrounded by members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Biggs said, “Madam Speaker, so we can stop wasting America’s time on impeachment, I move that the House do now adjourn.”
The motion was defeated 226-188 on a party-line vote. The motion was defeated 226-188 on party-line vote.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will preside over the votes on the two articles of impeachment, according to an aide.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will preside over the votes on the two articles of impeachment, according to an aide.
She has tapped Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) to handle most of the proceedings, which Democrats expect to stretch past 7:30 p.m. and possibly longer if Republicans seek multiple delays.She has tapped Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) to handle most of the proceedings, which Democrats expect to stretch past 7:30 p.m. and possibly longer if Republicans seek multiple delays.
The Pelosi aide spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been publicly announced.The Pelosi aide spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been publicly announced.
The House has been gaveled into session, with Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) presiding.The House has been gaveled into session, with Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) presiding.
During a television appearance, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump is “frustrated, as evidenced by the letter yesterday” but is remaining focused on his administration’s priorities. During a television appearance, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump is “frustrated, as evidenced by the letter yesterday” but is remaining focused on his administration’s priorities.
Trump called ‘impeachment’ an ‘ugly word.’ Linguists say it actually has a fascinating history.Trump called ‘impeachment’ an ‘ugly word.’ Linguists say it actually has a fascinating history.
Grisham said on Fox News that Trump had decided to write a six-page letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to memorialize his views on the impeachment process.Grisham said on Fox News that Trump had decided to write a six-page letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to memorialize his views on the impeachment process.
Grisham also reacted to the news that Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will preside over Wednesday’s House debate, saying it was evidence that Pelosi doesn’t want “her face being associated with this.”Grisham also reacted to the news that Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will preside over Wednesday’s House debate, saying it was evidence that Pelosi doesn’t want “her face being associated with this.”
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will preside over much of the impeachment debate, her office announced Wednesday morning.Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will preside over much of the impeachment debate, her office announced Wednesday morning.
“I am honored that the speaker has asked me to serve as speaker pro tempore of the House and to preside over most of the impeachment debate,” DeGette said in a statement.“I am honored that the speaker has asked me to serve as speaker pro tempore of the House and to preside over most of the impeachment debate,” DeGette said in a statement.
“None of us came to Congress to impeach a president, but every one of us — when we assumed office – took an oath to uphold the constitution. This is a sad and somber moment in our nation’s history and the responsibility to preside over this important debate is something I will not take lightly.” “None of us came to Congress to impeach a president, but every one of us — when we assumed office — took an oath to uphold the constitution. This is a sad and somber moment in our nation’s history and the responsibility to preside over this important debate is something I will not take lightly.”
DeGette is a 12-term liberal lawmaker who serves as chief deputy whip and hails from a state important to Democrats’ election prospects in 2020.DeGette is a 12-term liberal lawmaker who serves as chief deputy whip and hails from a state important to Democrats’ election prospects in 2020.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) characterized the six-page missive Trump sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday as “a long, rambling, angry letter of someone who appears not well.”House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) characterized the six-page missive Trump sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday as “a long, rambling, angry letter of someone who appears not well.”
His assessment during a CNN interview came amid multiple television appearances on Wednesday morning.His assessment during a CNN interview came amid multiple television appearances on Wednesday morning.
During an earlier appearance on MSNBC, Schiff pushed back against Trump’s claims in the letter that Schiff’s “shameless lies and deceptions” were leading to his impeachment.During an earlier appearance on MSNBC, Schiff pushed back against Trump’s claims in the letter that Schiff’s “shameless lies and deceptions” were leading to his impeachment.
“This president does nothing but project onto others his own lack of morality,” Schiff said on “Morning Joe.” “This is someone who mocks others constantly but can’t stand to be mocked. … Anyone willing to stand up to him, he’s going to go after.”“This president does nothing but project onto others his own lack of morality,” Schiff said on “Morning Joe.” “This is someone who mocks others constantly but can’t stand to be mocked. … Anyone willing to stand up to him, he’s going to go after.”
In his letter, Trump took another shot at Schiff for having embellished the rough transcript of a July call with Zelensky during an opening statement at a committee hearing. Schiff has said he was trying to convey the essence of what Trump said through parody.In his letter, Trump took another shot at Schiff for having embellished the rough transcript of a July call with Zelensky during an opening statement at a committee hearing. Schiff has said he was trying to convey the essence of what Trump said through parody.
“The call record speaks for itself, and it’s damning,” Schiff said Wednesday.“The call record speaks for itself, and it’s damning,” Schiff said Wednesday.
Schiff also dismissed complaints from Republicans about the impeachment process and chided them for not supporting a call by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) for new witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, at a Senate trial.Schiff also dismissed complaints from Republicans about the impeachment process and chided them for not supporting a call by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) for new witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, at a Senate trial.
“They don’t want to hear these witnesses,” Schiff said. “They do want to complain about process, but at the same time they don’t really want to see the evidence.”“They don’t want to hear these witnesses,” Schiff said. “They do want to complain about process, but at the same time they don’t really want to see the evidence.”
Trump protested his expected impeachment in a morning tweet in which he claimed to have done nothing wrong and urged his more than 67 million Twitter followers to read the rough transcripts released by the White House of two calls with Zelensky.Trump protested his expected impeachment in a morning tweet in which he claimed to have done nothing wrong and urged his more than 67 million Twitter followers to read the rough transcripts released by the White House of two calls with Zelensky.
In a July call, Trump pressed Zelensky for investigations that could benefit him politically at a time when U.S. military aid was being withheld. Trump has contended he did nothing wrong because he did not explicitly condition release of the aid on investigations in the call.In a July call, Trump pressed Zelensky for investigations that could benefit him politically at a time when U.S. military aid was being withheld. Trump has contended he did nothing wrong because he did not explicitly condition release of the aid on investigations in the call.
“Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG!” Trump said in his tweet. “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!” Trump said in his tweet. “A terrible Thing. Read the Transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!”
His final comment appears to be a shot at Pelosi, who has repeatedly said she prays for Trump. In a six-page letter to Pelosi on Tuesday, Trump said he doesn’t believe her.His final comment appears to be a shot at Pelosi, who has repeatedly said she prays for Trump. In a six-page letter to Pelosi on Tuesday, Trump said he doesn’t believe her.
Rep. Douglas A. Collins (Ga.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday defended Trump and asserted that Democrats are seeking to impeach him because they are mad at him for keeping campaign promises.Rep. Douglas A. Collins (Ga.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday defended Trump and asserted that Democrats are seeking to impeach him because they are mad at him for keeping campaign promises.
Collins’s comments, made during an interview on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” came as several leading lawmakers made television appearances ahead of the full House debate on Trump’s impeachment.Collins’s comments, made during an interview on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” came as several leading lawmakers made television appearances ahead of the full House debate on Trump’s impeachment.
“This president simply came to Washington and said, ‘I’m going to clean up Washington. I’m going to actually help people,’ ’’ Collins said. “He gave tax cuts. He’s made our military stronger. They’re mad at him because he actually did what he said he would do, and that's the part that bothers me the most, because history will record that we're in some of the best times we’ve ever had, while the Democratic Party is simply looking out for elections.”“This president simply came to Washington and said, ‘I’m going to clean up Washington. I’m going to actually help people,’ ’’ Collins said. “He gave tax cuts. He’s made our military stronger. They’re mad at him because he actually did what he said he would do, and that's the part that bothers me the most, because history will record that we're in some of the best times we’ve ever had, while the Democratic Party is simply looking out for elections.”
The House is scheduled to convene at 9 a.m. and turn its attention to a resolution to impeach Trump for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”The House is scheduled to convene at 9 a.m. and turn its attention to a resolution to impeach Trump for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
A rule fashioned Thursday night calls for six hours of debate, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. But procedural moves and delaying tactics could push the proceedings into the evening. House leaders are predicting final votes by 7 p.m.A rule fashioned Thursday night calls for six hours of debate, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. But procedural moves and delaying tactics could push the proceedings into the evening. House leaders are predicting final votes by 7 p.m.
Trump is facing two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The House is expected to vote separately on the two articles. Public statements by lawmakers suggest both have the support to pass in the Democratic-led chamber.Trump is facing two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The House is expected to vote separately on the two articles. Public statements by lawmakers suggest both have the support to pass in the Democratic-led chamber.
Trump’s impeachment: How we got here and where we go nextTrump’s impeachment: How we got here and where we go next
Congress has impeached only two presidents: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote on articles of impeachment in the Watergate scandal. Lawmakers drafted three articles against Nixon, including charges of “high crimes and misdemeanors” that mirror the abuse-of-power and obstruction allegations Trump now faces.Congress has impeached only two presidents: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote on articles of impeachment in the Watergate scandal. Lawmakers drafted three articles against Nixon, including charges of “high crimes and misdemeanors” that mirror the abuse-of-power and obstruction allegations Trump now faces.
A trial of Trump in the Republican-led Senate is expected to begin early next month. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said he sees no chance of Trump being removed from office, which would require a two-thirds vote of the chamber.A trial of Trump in the Republican-led Senate is expected to begin early next month. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said he sees no chance of Trump being removed from office, which would require a two-thirds vote of the chamber.
Trump is staging a campaign rally Wednesday night in Michigan — a trip that will probably mean he’s not in Washington when the House votes to impeach him.Trump is staging a campaign rally Wednesday night in Michigan — a trip that will probably mean he’s not in Washington when the House votes to impeach him.
Trump is scheduled to leave the White House at 4:25 p.m. en route to Battle Creek, Mich., where he plans to hold a “Keep America Great” rally at 7 p.m. The rally site is in the district of Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.), a former Republican who became an independent in July and has backed impeachment of Trump.Trump is scheduled to leave the White House at 4:25 p.m. en route to Battle Creek, Mich., where he plans to hold a “Keep America Great” rally at 7 p.m. The rally site is in the district of Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.), a former Republican who became an independent in July and has backed impeachment of Trump.
Trump narrowly carried Michigan in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and the state will be key to the prospects of the Republican nominee in 2020.Trump narrowly carried Michigan in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and the state will be key to the prospects of the Republican nominee in 2020.
Trump has no other public events on his schedule Wednesday.Trump has no other public events on his schedule Wednesday.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick refuses to defend Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine, but the Pennsylvania Republican is not going to vote to impeach him.Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick refuses to defend Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine, but the Pennsylvania Republican is not going to vote to impeach him.
A past critic of the president who has sought to build a reputation on Capitol Hill as a politician untethered to party, Fitzpatrick is also a former FBI agent who spent time in Ukraine advancing anti-corruption efforts. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.A past critic of the president who has sought to build a reputation on Capitol Hill as a politician untethered to party, Fitzpatrick is also a former FBI agent who spent time in Ukraine advancing anti-corruption efforts. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.
And he’s one of only two House Republicans running for reelection in a congressional district Hillary Clinton won in 2016 — all others retired or were wiped out in the Democrats’ 2018 rout — making him a top target for national Democrats. The other is Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.).And he’s one of only two House Republicans running for reelection in a congressional district Hillary Clinton won in 2016 — all others retired or were wiped out in the Democrats’ 2018 rout — making him a top target for national Democrats. The other is Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.).
But Fitzpatrick is banking on swing voters in November 2020 caring less that he voted against impeachment and more that last week he and just one other Republican joined Democrats to pass a bill to lower drug prices or that earlier in the month he was the only GOP member to vote with Democrats on restoring voting rights protections.But Fitzpatrick is banking on swing voters in November 2020 caring less that he voted against impeachment and more that last week he and just one other Republican joined Democrats to pass a bill to lower drug prices or that earlier in the month he was the only GOP member to vote with Democrats on restoring voting rights protections.
Read more here.Read more here.
Trump lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) amid a series of late-night tweets Tuesday on impeachment and the FBI investigation of his 2016 campaign for possible coordination with Russia. Trump lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) amid late-night tweets Tuesday on impeachment and the FBI investigation of his 2016 campaign for possible coordination with Russia.
In one, Trump claimed he had received “good marks and reviews” for a rambling and angry letter to Pelosi on Tuesday in which he lit into congressional Democrats for what he deemed a “perversion of justice” and an “attempted coup.” He predicted that voters would punish Democrats and history would vindicate him.In one, Trump claimed he had received “good marks and reviews” for a rambling and angry letter to Pelosi on Tuesday in which he lit into congressional Democrats for what he deemed a “perversion of justice” and an “attempted coup.” He predicted that voters would punish Democrats and history would vindicate him.
“She is the worst!” Trump said of Pelosi. “No wonder with people like her and Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, D.C. has been such a mess for so long.”“She is the worst!” Trump said of Pelosi. “No wonder with people like her and Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, D.C. has been such a mess for so long.”
‘Angry white mail’: Late-night hosts mock Trump’s ‘bonkers’ letter to Pelosi‘Angry white mail’: Late-night hosts mock Trump’s ‘bonkers’ letter to Pelosi
Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she considered Trump’s letter “really sick.”Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she considered Trump’s letter “really sick.”
“They want to Impeach me (I’m not worried!), and yet they were all breaking the law in so many ways,” Trump said in another tweet directed at Democrats. “How can they do that and yet impeach a very successful (Economy Plus) President of the United States, who has done nothing wrong? These people are Crazy!”“They want to Impeach me (I’m not worried!), and yet they were all breaking the law in so many ways,” Trump said in another tweet directed at Democrats. “How can they do that and yet impeach a very successful (Economy Plus) President of the United States, who has done nothing wrong? These people are Crazy!”
Demonstrators in big cities and small towns from coast to coast rallied Tuesday for President Trump’s impeachment, celebrating the historic step the House is expected to take Wednesday while bemoaning that the push to oust him is almost certain to die in the Senate.Demonstrators in big cities and small towns from coast to coast rallied Tuesday for President Trump’s impeachment, celebrating the historic step the House is expected to take Wednesday while bemoaning that the push to oust him is almost certain to die in the Senate.
Protesters in the dark of a snowy New England evening chanted “Dump Trump,” while those marching in the warmth of southern Florida brandished signs reading “Impeach Putin’s Puppet.” In Republican-dominated Kansas, they repeated a mantra: “Country over party.” In Texas, they fretted that despite the House’s vote, Trump will get away with it all.Protesters in the dark of a snowy New England evening chanted “Dump Trump,” while those marching in the warmth of southern Florida brandished signs reading “Impeach Putin’s Puppet.” In Republican-dominated Kansas, they repeated a mantra: “Country over party.” In Texas, they fretted that despite the House’s vote, Trump will get away with it all.
Organizers said that there were more than 600 protests nationwide — from Hawaii to Maine — with the goal of demonstrating “to our lawmakers that their constituents are behind them to defend the Constitution.”Organizers said that there were more than 600 protests nationwide — from Hawaii to Maine — with the goal of demonstrating “to our lawmakers that their constituents are behind them to defend the Constitution.”
In many places, the rallies functioned less as a chance to vent about Trump’s Ukraine dealings — the matter for which he faces impeachment — than as an opportunity for collective catharsis over the entire track record of a president disapproved of by slightly more than half the country.In many places, the rallies functioned less as a chance to vent about Trump’s Ukraine dealings — the matter for which he faces impeachment — than as an opportunity for collective catharsis over the entire track record of a president disapproved of by slightly more than half the country.
Read more here.Read more here.