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Pelosi says Democrats have 'no choice' but to impeach Trump as formal debate begins – live Adam Schiff at House debate: if Trump's conduct isn't impeachable, 'nothing is' – live
(31 minutes later)
House speaker Nancy Pelosi opens debate, which will culminate later today with a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president The intelligence committee chairman detailed the allegations against Trump ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president
Adam Schiff mocked a talking point from his Republican colleagues, who have repeatedly slammed the “secretive” nature of the impeachment inquiry.
Specifically, Republicans have complained about the House committees leading the inquiry holding meetings in a basement “bunker,” referring to the room in the Capitol where lawmakers receive classified information.
“This is apparently what they call depositions,” Schiff joked.
Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights icon who marched alongside Martin Luther King, called on his colleagues to support impeachment, arguing they have a “moral obligation to say something, to do something.”
“We didn’t ask for this,” Lewis said. “Our nation is founded on the principle that we do not have kings, we have presidents, and the Constituion is our compass.”
Lewis asserted the House had “a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history.” The Georgia Democrat predicted future generations would ask this question: “What did you do?”
Republican congressman Francis Rooney, who had said he was open to supporting impeachment, has officially announced he will vote “no” tonight, virtually ensuring every House Republican will oppose the resolution.
“Based on the limited evidence provided to the House of Representatives, the President’s behavior, while inappropriate, was neither criminal, nor does it rise to the level of justifying impeachment,” Rooney said in a statement explaining his decision.
A Republican congressman, Bill Johnson, just used his floor speech to hold a moment of silence for the 63 million Americans who backed Trump in 2016, whose votes are supposedly being ignored in the impeachment inquiry.
Of course, that 63 million figure is almost 3 million votes fewer than Hillary Clinton received in 2016.
Congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump and has become a vocal supporter of impeachment, has asked Democrats for two minutes to deliver a floor speech.Congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump and has become a vocal supporter of impeachment, has asked Democrats for two minutes to deliver a floor speech.
Adam Schiff used his floor speech to detail the allegations against Trump and warn that Congress would set a dangerous precedent if members did not vote to impeach him.Adam Schiff used his floor speech to detail the allegations against Trump and warn that Congress would set a dangerous precedent if members did not vote to impeach him.
“If the president’s conduct isn’t impeachable, then nothing is impeachable,” Schiff said.“If the president’s conduct isn’t impeachable, then nothing is impeachable,” Schiff said.
The intelligence committee chairman also quoted Alexander Hamilton’s warning of a leader who is “unprincipled in private life, desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper,” who would “throw things into confusion” and “may ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.”The intelligence committee chairman also quoted Alexander Hamilton’s warning of a leader who is “unprincipled in private life, desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper,” who would “throw things into confusion” and “may ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.”
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has taken over from Jerry Nadler to oversee Democrats’ floor speeches in the impeachment debate.Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has taken over from Jerry Nadler to oversee Democrats’ floor speeches in the impeachment debate.
“I rise to support the impeachment of Donald J Trump,” Schiff said upon taking the floor.“I rise to support the impeachment of Donald J Trump,” Schiff said upon taking the floor.
The handoff from Nadler to Schiff indicates we are halfway through the floor debate, with three hours remaining.The handoff from Nadler to Schiff indicates we are halfway through the floor debate, with three hours remaining.
Congressman Louie Gohmert, a fervent defender of Trump’s, used his floor speech to peddle baseless claims against Ukraine.Congressman Louie Gohmert, a fervent defender of Trump’s, used his floor speech to peddle baseless claims against Ukraine.
When the floor was turned over to Jerry Nadler, the judiciary committee chairman said, “I’m deeply concerned that any member of the House would spew Russian propaganda on the floor of the House.”When the floor was turned over to Jerry Nadler, the judiciary committee chairman said, “I’m deeply concerned that any member of the House would spew Russian propaganda on the floor of the House.”
Gohmert could be heard shouting back at Nadler from the floor, but his objections were drowned out by congresswoman Diana DeGette, who is presiding over the debate, banging her gavel.Gohmert could be heard shouting back at Nadler from the floor, but his objections were drowned out by congresswoman Diana DeGette, who is presiding over the debate, banging her gavel.
Gohmert then walked over to Nadler and appeared to be angrily confronting him, although Nadler said few words in response.Gohmert then walked over to Nadler and appeared to be angrily confronting him, although Nadler said few words in response.
Congressman Will Hurd, a retiring Republican who was once viewed as a potential impeachment supporter by Democrats, used his floor speech to condemn the “rushed process” of the inquiry, so his “no” vote is secured.Congressman Will Hurd, a retiring Republican who was once viewed as a potential impeachment supporter by Democrats, used his floor speech to condemn the “rushed process” of the inquiry, so his “no” vote is secured.
It’s still unclear how many votes will be needed to pass the articles of impeachment because the number depends on how many members participate in the vote, as a Fox News reporter noted.It’s still unclear how many votes will be needed to pass the articles of impeachment because the number depends on how many members participate in the vote, as a Fox News reporter noted.
In a matter of hours, Donald Trump faces an impeachment vote in the House. This vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history.In a matter of hours, Donald Trump faces an impeachment vote in the House. This vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history.
But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. Over the last three years, much of what we hold dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. The need for a robust, independent press has never been greater.But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. Over the last three years, much of what we hold dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. The need for a robust, independent press has never been greater.
2020 promises to be an epic year – and could define the country for a generation. With your help we will continue to provide fact-based reporting that offers public scrutiny and oversight.2020 promises to be an epic year – and could define the country for a generation. With your help we will continue to provide fact-based reporting that offers public scrutiny and oversight.
We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift.We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift.
We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do.We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do.
Make a contribution.Make a contribution.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has spent much of the afternoon sitting on the House floor, listening to members’ speeches about the impeachment resolution.Speaker Nancy Pelosi has spent much of the afternoon sitting on the House floor, listening to members’ speeches about the impeachment resolution.
Julián Castro didn’t qualify for the Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles this week, but the former housing secretary is still making stops in LA. This morning, he took a tour of Skid Row with activists and talked with homeless people about the worsening crisis in California.
His visit comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch some kind of police crackdown on homeless people living on the streets of LA and San Francisco.
“The administration has decided to take an approach of essentially criminalizing people who are homeless,” Castro said. “This is the wrong thing to do ... The administration is going backwards.”
“We cannot accept criminalizing poverty,” he said. “That is morally wrong.”Castro visited the Downtown Women’s Center at Skid Row, which is the epicenter of the housing crisis in southern California.
“The stereotype of homelessness is a single man, but we know that doesn’t reflect the reality out there today. Unfortunately there are many women and children and families,” Castro said.
As he walked through tent encampments with a trail of reporters tagging along, some living on the street ran up to shake his hand and give hugs.
“You need to get us housing, that’s what y’all need to do!” one person shouted at Castro.
“Stop filming and help us!” said another.
Castro and senator Cory Booker both failed to qualify for the final debate of the year, which will take place in LA on Thursday night.
The White House appears to be delivering Trump’s six-page letter to Nancy Pelosi to Senate offices, along with a pair of Christmas cards.
Trump sent the furious letter to Pelosi yesterday, calling impeachment an “unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power by Democrat Lawmakers, unequaled in nearly two and a half centuries of American legislative history.”
Democrats and Republicans each have about an hour and 45 minutes left in their debate time, meaning three and a half hours of debate remain before members will turn to a vote on the articles of impeachment.
Some House Democrats are reportedly urging speaker Nancy Pelosi to withhold the articles of impeachment against Trump in the hope of gaining leverage in a Senate trial.
The Washington Post reports:
Giving an interview in the White House briefing room, senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway accused Nancy Pelosi of making the impeachment inquiry “personal,” claiming the House speaker threw a “hissy fit” when she met with the president in the cabinet room.
Congressman Mike Kelly has just compared today’s impeachment vote to Pearl Harbor, predicting Dec. 18 would be “another date that will live in infamy,” referring to FDR’s famous quote about Dec. 7, 1941.
Kelly’s comparison adds to a growing list of inappropriate references Trump’s Republican allies have made to lament the president’s impeachment, including the crucifixion of Jesus and the Salem witch trials.
At least two more House members, Democrat Jose Serrano and Republican John Shimkus, will not be present for today’s impeachment vote, slightly lowering the threshold needed to approve the articles of impeachment.
But it’s still unclear whether Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is running for president and missed this morning’s procedural votes, will participate.
Gabbard, who has been harshly critical of some of her presidential primary opponents, called for Trump’s censure yesterday, and it’s unclear how she will vote on the articles of impeachment if she appears on Capitol Hill.
House members were just told a little more than four hours remain in the impeachment debate, so the chamber appears to be on schedule for a final vote between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. E.T.
Republican congressman Barry Loudermilk just made a comparison between the Trump impeachment inquiry and the trial of Jesus in the Bible, shockingly arguing Pontius Pilate was more fair to Jesus than Democrats have been to the president.
Congressman Steve Chabot, the Republican lawmaker who just warned Trump’s impeachment would set a dangerously low standard going forward, was an impeachment manager during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
Two other former Clinton impeachment managers, congressman Jim Sensenbrenner and senator Lindsey Graham, also still serve in Congress.