This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/dec/18/trump-impeachment-vote-today-live-latest-news-updates-democrats-house

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Pelosi says Democrats have 'no choice' but to impeach Trump as formal debate begins – live Pelosi says Democrats have 'no choice' but to impeach Trump as formal debate begins – 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 the presidentHouse speaker Nancy Pelosi opens debate, which will culminate later today with a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president
Steve King, the Republican congressman who was stripped of his committee assignments over his comments about white nationalism, just delivered his floor speech criticizing the impeachment inquiry.
The Iowa lawmaker made the dubious argument that Trump could not have abused his power by pushing for an investigation into Joe Biden because the former vice president is not actually his political rival.
King argued Biden was competing against “21” other Democratic presidential candidates and “running third in the polls,” so Trump’s request for an investigation was therefore not inherently political.
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.
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 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.
Congressman Cedric Richmond tried to appeal to the reputations of his Republican colleagues in his floor speech, arguing Trump was not worthy of the loyalty his party is showing.
The Louisiana Democrat warned the president would not stand by Republican lawmakers “past the next tweet or next week.”
Here is the full text of Clay Higgins’ floor speech, in which the Republican congressman criticized the Democrats supporting impeachment by referring to them as “the same socialists who threaten unborn life in the womb.”
Meanwhile, over in the Senate, senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway is attending the Republican caucus lunch and working hard to prevent defections in the likely event of an impeachment trial.
There was just a bizarre moment on the House floor, as judiciary committee chairman Jerry Nadler reminded his Republican colleagues that Mike Pence would become president if Trump were impeached, not Hillary Clinton.
This ackowledgement was met by laughs and cheers on the Republican side of the aisle.
Congressman Chris Stewart, a Republican member of the House intelligence committee, warned Trump’s impeachment would set a precedent for future presidents.
“The next president, I promise you, is going to be impeached,” Stewart said in his floor speech. “If you set this bar as being impeachable, every president in our future will be impeached.”
Congressman Clay Higgins attracted Republican applause and Democratic scorn for his floor speech, which was accompanied by a poster showing the results of the 2016 election by acreage.Congressman Clay Higgins attracted Republican applause and Democratic scorn for his floor speech, which was accompanied by a poster showing the results of the 2016 election by acreage.
“They call us deplorables,” Higgins said. “They fear our faith, they fear our strength, they fear our unity, they fear our vote, and they fear our president.” He added, “Our republic shall survive this threat from within.”“They call us deplorables,” Higgins said. “They fear our faith, they fear our strength, they fear our unity, they fear our vote, and they fear our president.” He added, “Our republic shall survive this threat from within.”
But commentators pointed out Trump actually lost the popular vote in 2016, taking some of the air out of Higgins’ argument.But commentators pointed out Trump actually lost the popular vote in 2016, taking some of the air out of Higgins’ argument.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose name has been floated as a possible impeachment manager, pledged that Democrats would impeach Trump to send a message about the Constitution.Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose name has been floated as a possible impeachment manager, pledged that Democrats would impeach Trump to send a message about the Constitution.
“We will impeach Donald John Trump,” Jeffries said on the House floor. “And we will clarify that, in America, no one is above the law.”“We will impeach Donald John Trump,” Jeffries said on the House floor. “And we will clarify that, in America, no one is above the law.”
Jeffries’ remarks were followed by those of Republican Tom McClintock, who referred to abuse of power (one of the articles of impeachment) as a “made-up crime.”Jeffries’ remarks were followed by those of Republican Tom McClintock, who referred to abuse of power (one of the articles of impeachment) as a “made-up crime.”
On a historic day for America …On a historic day for America …
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.
Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the House judiciary committee, asked G.K. Butterfield, who is now presiding over the impeachment proceedings, how much time remains in the debate.Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the House judiciary committee, asked G.K. Butterfield, who is now presiding over the impeachment proceedings, how much time remains in the debate.
Butterfield conferred with House officials and confirmed that more than five hours remain, so there will be a lot more debate to come.Butterfield conferred with House officials and confirmed that more than five hours remain, so there will be a lot more debate to come.
Here’s where this historic day stands so far:Here’s where this historic day stands so far:
The House is currently debating the articles of impeachment against Trump, with a final vote expected between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. E.T. tonight.The House is currently debating the articles of impeachment against Trump, with a final vote expected between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. E.T. tonight.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi opened the six hours of debate by accusing Trump of violating the Constitution and urging members to honor their oath of office.House speaker Nancy Pelosi opened the six hours of debate by accusing Trump of violating the Constitution and urging members to honor their oath of office.
Two House Democrats -- Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew, who has signaled he intends to switch parties -- joined Republicans in opposing procedural motions to advance the impeachment debate.Two House Democrats -- Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew, who has signaled he intends to switch parties -- joined Republicans in opposing procedural motions to advance the impeachment debate.
The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.
A senior Trump campaign official said the president’s team is “very excited” that the impeachment vote may be finalized as Trump takes the stage tonight for his campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan.A senior Trump campaign official said the president’s team is “very excited” that the impeachment vote may be finalized as Trump takes the stage tonight for his campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The impeachment vote will likely occur between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. E.T. tonight, and Trump is scheduled to start his rally at 7.The impeachment vote will likely occur between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. E.T. tonight, and Trump is scheduled to start his rally at 7.
House judiciary committee Jerry Nadler criticized his Republican colleagues’ remarks on the floor, saying he has heard them say everything “except a defense of President Trump’s conduct, which is indefensible.”House judiciary committee Jerry Nadler criticized his Republican colleagues’ remarks on the floor, saying he has heard them say everything “except a defense of President Trump’s conduct, which is indefensible.”
Nadler then turned the floor over to congressman Ted Deutch of Florida. There is still more than five hours of debate left to go.Nadler then turned the floor over to congressman Ted Deutch of Florida. There is still more than five hours of debate left to go.
Moments after the White House claimed Trump would be “working all day” and would only catch “some” of the impeachment debate, the president again tweeted about the proceedings, accusing Democrats of executing an “ASSAULT ON AMERICA.”Moments after the White House claimed Trump would be “working all day” and would only catch “some” of the impeachment debate, the president again tweeted about the proceedings, accusing Democrats of executing an “ASSAULT ON AMERICA.”
Trump has a light public schedule today before leaving for his Michigan campaign rally, allowing the president to tweet more than 40 times by noon.Trump has a light public schedule today before leaving for his Michigan campaign rally, allowing the president to tweet more than 40 times by noon.
Speaking at an event in Michigan before the president’s campaign rally tonight, Mike Pence slammed the impeachment inquiry as a “disgrace” and accused Democrats of trying to reverse the 2016 election.Speaking at an event in Michigan before the president’s campaign rally tonight, Mike Pence slammed the impeachment inquiry as a “disgrace” and accused Democrats of trying to reverse the 2016 election.
“What’s happening on Capitol Hill today is a disgrace,” the vice president said, according to the pool report. “The truth is they are trying to impeach this president because they know they can’t defeat this president. ...“What’s happening on Capitol Hill today is a disgrace,” the vice president said, according to the pool report. “The truth is they are trying to impeach this president because they know they can’t defeat this president. ...
“They’re pushing this partisan impeachment because they know they can’t stop you from giving president Donald Trump four more years in the White House. ... Tonight after a sham investigation, do-nothing Democrats are going to vote on a partisan impeachment seeking to oveturn the willl of the American people.”“They’re pushing this partisan impeachment because they know they can’t stop you from giving president Donald Trump four more years in the White House. ... Tonight after a sham investigation, do-nothing Democrats are going to vote on a partisan impeachment seeking to oveturn the willl of the American people.”
Asked about Trump’s light schedule today before he leaves for his Michigan campaign rally, the White House said he would be “working all day” and might watch “some” of the floor debate on the impeachment resolution.Asked about Trump’s light schedule today before he leaves for his Michigan campaign rally, the White House said he would be “working all day” and might watch “some” of the floor debate on the impeachment resolution.
“The President will be working all day,” press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. “He will be briefed by staff throughout that day, and could catch some of the proceedings between meetings.”“The President will be working all day,” press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. “He will be briefed by staff throughout that day, and could catch some of the proceedings between meetings.”
Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, one of only 14 Republicans who were in the House during Bill Clinton’s impeachment, just spoke on the floor to denounce the impeachment inquiry.Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, one of only 14 Republicans who were in the House during Bill Clinton’s impeachment, just spoke on the floor to denounce the impeachment inquiry.
Congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now speaking on the floor, slamming impeachment as a baseless, partisan stunt.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.”“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.”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.The Georgia Republican argued his Democratic colleagues only cared about getting political revenge on Trump. “They do not care about facts,” Collins said.