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Trump faces impeachment as House convenes to debate historic vote – live Trump faces impeachment as House convenes to debate historic vote – live
(30 minutes later)
Outcome of today’s vote is all but certain as Trump lashes against Democrats and acknowledges likely impeachmentOutcome of today’s vote is all but certain as Trump lashes against Democrats and acknowledges likely impeachment
House Democrats successfully approved a motion to end debate on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s impeachment proceedings, clearing the way for a vote on the rule itself.
Two House Democrats – Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who has signaled he itnends to switch parties after the impeachment vote – joined Republicans in opposing a procedural motion to end debate on the “rule” outlining procedures today.
Van Drew dodged reporters’ questions yesterday when asked about switching parties, but he is expected to cast his votes today as a Democrat, helping Republicans to claim bipartisan opposition to impeachment.
But with the exceptions of Peterson and Van Drew, every House Democrat backed the procedural motion, proving how unified the caucus is on impeaching Trump.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democratic lawmaker who has signaled he will switch his party affilation to Republican over his opposition to impeachment, has arrived on the House floor after missing this morning’s procedural votes.
As House members vote on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s impeachment proceedings, some campaign-related news is also unfolding.
Senator Susan Collins said in a letter to supporters this morning that she is running for reelection, confirming widespread expectations the Maine Republican would seek a fifth term.
“The fundamental question I had to ask myself in making my decision was this: in today’s polarized political environment, is there still a role for a centrist who believes in getting things done through compromise, collegiality, and bipartisanship?” Collins said in the letter. “I have concluded that the answer to this question is ‘yes,’ and I will, therefore, seek the honor of continuing to serve as Maine’s United States Senator.”
But Democrats have argued Collins has lost her centrist reputation by siding with Trump on controversial issues, such as the confirmation of Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Sara Gideon, the speaker of the Maine house and the frontrunner in the Democratic primary to face off against Collins, said in a statement that the longtime senator is no longer the centrist lawmaker the state has repeatedly elected.
“When Sen. Collins took office 22 years ago, she might have been different from other people in Washington, but it doesn’t seem that way anymore,” Gideon said. “These days, Sen. Collins seems more focused on serving the special interests that fund her campaigns than the Mainers who elected her.”
Debate has now concluded on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s impeachment proceedings, and House members have moved on to a vote series to adop the rule.Debate has now concluded on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s impeachment proceedings, and House members have moved on to a vote series to adop the rule.
Democratic congressman Joe Kennedy used his floor speech to explain to his children why he intended to vote in favor of impeaching the president. “Dear Ellie and James: This is a moment that you’ll read about in your history books,” the Massachusetts lawmaker said.Democratic congressman Joe Kennedy used his floor speech to explain to his children why he intended to vote in favor of impeaching the president. “Dear Ellie and James: This is a moment that you’ll read about in your history books,” the Massachusetts lawmaker said.
As the president lashes out against Nancy Pelosi, some commentators have started recirculating this 2008 video, in which Trump commends Pelosi and suggests she should have tried to impeach George W. Bush.As the president lashes out against Nancy Pelosi, some commentators have started recirculating this 2008 video, in which Trump commends Pelosi and suggests she should have tried to impeach George W. Bush.
“When [Pelosi] first got in and was named speaker, I met her,” Trump told CNN host Wolf Blitzer at the time. “And I’m very impressed by her. I think she’s a very impressive person, I like her a lot.”“When [Pelosi] first got in and was named speaker, I met her,” Trump told CNN host Wolf Blitzer at the time. “And I’m very impressed by her. I think she’s a very impressive person, I like her a lot.”
Trump continued, “But I was surprised that she didn’t do more in terms of Bush and going after Bush. It just seemed like she was really going to look to impeach Bush and get him out of office. Which personally I think would have been a wonderful thing.”Trump continued, “But I was surprised that she didn’t do more in terms of Bush and going after Bush. It just seemed like she was really going to look to impeach Bush and get him out of office. Which personally I think would have been a wonderful thing.”
Trump argued Bush should have been impeached for the “lies” he told before invading Iraq.Trump argued Bush should have been impeached for the “lies” he told before invading Iraq.
Trump has already tweeted a few dozen times this morning to slam the impeachment inquiry and speaker Nancy Pelosi as debate continues on the House floor.Trump has already tweeted a few dozen times this morning to slam the impeachment inquiry and speaker Nancy Pelosi as debate continues on the House floor.
The president has nothing on his public schedule this morning until he leaves for his Michigan campaign rally at 4:25 p.m. E.T., so more tweets will likely be forthcoming as the House takes up the articles of impeachment.The president has nothing on his public schedule this morning until he leaves for his Michigan campaign rally at 4:25 p.m. E.T., so more tweets will likely be forthcoming as the House takes up the articles of impeachment.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sitting on the House floor as debate continues on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s proceedings.Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sitting on the House floor as debate continues on the “rule” outlining procedures for today’s proceedings.
The vote on the “rule” should take place in about ten minutes. Once it is adopted, members will be given six hours to debate the impeachment resolution itself, split evenly between the majority and the minority.The vote on the “rule” should take place in about ten minutes. Once it is adopted, members will be given six hours to debate the impeachment resolution itself, split evenly between the majority and the minority.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who has signaled he will switch his party affiliation to Republican over his opposition to impeachment, did not vote in this morning’s procedural motions.Congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who has signaled he will switch his party affiliation to Republican over his opposition to impeachment, did not vote in this morning’s procedural motions.
House Republicans are trying to introduce more procedural motions to delay the vote, suggesting that debate on the articles of impeachment should be six hours longer than scheduled and that memebers should be made to cast votes manually, but Democrats have rejected the proposals.House Republicans are trying to introduce more procedural motions to delay the vote, suggesting that debate on the articles of impeachment should be six hours longer than scheduled and that memebers should be made to cast votes manually, but Democrats have rejected the proposals.
Congressman Jim Clyburn, the House majority whip, delivered a floor speech outlining Democrats’ argument for impeachment.Congressman Jim Clyburn, the House majority whip, delivered a floor speech outlining Democrats’ argument for impeachment.
“Today we have a president who seems to believe he is a king or above the law,” the longtime South Carolina lawmaker said.“Today we have a president who seems to believe he is a king or above the law,” the longtime South Carolina lawmaker said.
Just outside the US Capitol, pro-impeachment protesters have found some fun, holiday-themed ways of expressing their displeasure with the president.Just outside the US Capitol, pro-impeachment protesters have found some fun, holiday-themed ways of expressing their displeasure with the president.
Walking to the House floor, Nancy Pelosi would only tell reporters she felt “sad” about today’s proceedings, echoing reports that the speaker has intstructed her Democratic caucus to treat today as a solemn occasion.Walking to the House floor, Nancy Pelosi would only tell reporters she felt “sad” about today’s proceedings, echoing reports that the speaker has intstructed her Democratic caucus to treat today as a solemn occasion.
The sadness of today’s vote may be the only point of agreement between House Democrats and Republicans, as Tom Cole, the top Republican on the rules committee, made a similar comment on the floor.The sadness of today’s vote may be the only point of agreement between House Democrats and Republicans, as Tom Cole, the top Republican on the rules committee, made a similar comment on the floor.