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Trump impeachment: House officially begins debate over articles – live | |
(32 minutes later) | |
House speaker Nancy Pelosi opens debate, which will culminate later today with a vote that is all but certain to impeach Donald Trump | |
Congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now speaking on the floor, slamming impeachment as a baseless, partisan stunt. | |
“This is not a solemn occasion,” Collins said, mocking the words of speaker Nancy Pelosi. “They’ve been wanting to do this ever since the election.” | |
Collins repeated his words from yesterday’s rules committee hearing, saying, “The clock and the calendar are terrible masters.” | |
The Georgia Republican argued his Democratic colleagues only cared about getting political revenge on Trump. “They do not care about facts,” Collins said. | |
As Nancy Pelosi concluded her remarks to kick off debate on the impeachment resolution, the House speaker was met with a standing ovation from the many Democratic members present for her speech. | |
Speaking on the House floor, Nancy Pelosi reiterated the accusations against Trump and urged members to honor their oath of office in today’s impeachment vote. | |
The House speaker argued the president had “violated the Constitution” and had left Democrats with “no choice” but to impeach. | |
“If we do not act now, we are derelict in our duty,” Pelosi told the chamber, where most of her Democratic caucus was present to hear her remarks. | |
The debate on the articles of impeachment has officially begun, and House judiciary committee Jerry Nadler began by deferring to speaker Nancy Pelosi. | |
The House speaker opened the debate by reciting the pledge of allegiance and emphasizing the oath members take. “The republic for which it stands is what we are here to talk about today,” Pelosi said. | |
She then repeated the Benjamin Franklin quote she has pointed to throughout the impeachment inquiry to justify the investigation: “A republic if we can keep it.” | |
The House clerk, Joe Novotny, has just finished reading the articles of impeachment against Trump, and members will now have six hours to debate the resolution. | |
The articles concluded “Wherefore, President Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.” | |
The House clerk is now reading the articles of impeachment against Trump on the floor, after which House members will have six hours to debate the resolution before tonight’s vote. | |
If the debate goes according to schedule, which (again) is a big assumption, the vote should take place around 7:30 p.m. E.T. | |
The House has adopted the “rule” outlining the procedures for today’s debate on the impeachment resolution, with all but two Democrats (Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew) backing the motion. | |
Members will now have six hours to debate the impeachment resolution itself, split eqaully between the majority and the minority. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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.” | “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.” |