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Adam Schiff at House debate: if Trump's conduct isn't impeachable, 'nothing is' – live Adam Schiff at House debate: if Trump's conduct isn't impeachable, 'nothing is' – live
(32 minutes later)
The intelligence committee chairman detailed the allegations against Trump ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the presidentThe intelligence committee chairman detailed the allegations against Trump ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president
Congressman Steve Scalise, the House minority whip, has been granted five minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution as the floor debate begins to wind down.
The Louisiana Republican accused Democrats of pursuing a “political vendetta” against Trump with their impeachment inquiry, which he said only stemmed from their “fear that he might win reelection.”
“They made up these terms to impeach a president because they couldn’t find any crimes,” Scalise said, claiming the Democrats “hated” the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump.
That last comment sparked boos from the Democratic side of the aisle and some cheers from Scalise’s Republican colleagues.
Doug Collins, the Republican congressman coordinating his caucus’ floor speeches, asked Adam Schiff whether the Democrats had concluded their side of the debate, but the House intelligence committee chairman said they still had a few speakers remaining.
The hearing has now been underway for 10 hours, and the vote on the articles of impeachment is expected in the next hour.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to take the stage at his campaign rally in Michigan at any moment.
On a historic day for America …
Soon, 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.
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Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the chairwoman of the House Republican conference, was allowed four minutes to condemn the impeachment resolution, more time than almost any of her colleagues.
The Wyoming Republican claimed Democrats had presented “no direct evidence of any impeachable offense” and warned Trump’s impeachment could set a dangerous precedent.
Cheney urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote “no” on the articles of impeachment to honor the Constitution and their oath of office.
Congressman Drew Ferguson, a Georgia Republican, condemned the impeachment resolution, calling it a “goat rodeo” and a “sham.”
As the House debate continues on the impeachment resolution, another poll has been released showing the country is evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.
According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 48% of Americans favor the president’s impeachment and removal from office, while 48% oppose it.
Trump and his allies have taken to claiming in recent days that support for impeachment is sharply declining. In reality, support for the president’s impeachment has been virtually unmoved since the inquiry’s public hearings started.
Congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, accused Democrats of cooking up baseless allegations against Trump to make up for their loss in the 2016 election.Congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, accused Democrats of cooking up baseless allegations against Trump to make up for their loss in the 2016 election.
“The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is beating Hillary Clinton,” the California Republican said.“The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is beating Hillary Clinton,” the California Republican said.
Nunes went on to slam his Democratic colleagues for “ripping the country apart ... in their lust for power.”Nunes went on to slam his Democratic colleagues for “ripping the country apart ... in their lust for power.”
Echoing dozens of his colleagues, congressman Jim Jordan argued Democrats only pursued impeachment to punish Trump for his allaged success in office.Echoing dozens of his colleagues, congressman Jim Jordan argued Democrats only pursued impeachment to punish Trump for his allaged success in office.
“When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back,” the president’s House ally said.“When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back,” the president’s House ally said.
It also appears congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, will get the chance to weigh in on the floor.It also appears congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, will get the chance to weigh in on the floor.
After two more of Trump’s House allies, Mark Meadows and John Ratcliffe, spoke in opposition to the impeachment resolution, Adam Schiff predicted history would remember his Republican colleagues poorly.After two more of Trump’s House allies, Mark Meadows and John Ratcliffe, spoke in opposition to the impeachment resolution, Adam Schiff predicted history would remember his Republican colleagues poorly.
“I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did,” Schiff said.“I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did,” Schiff said.
This condemnation was met by audible groans on the Republican side of the aisle.This condemnation was met by audible groans on the Republican side of the aisle.
Congressman Lee Zeldin, a close House ally of Trump’s, was given three minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution, a relatively lengthy window given most of his colleagues who have spoken in this hour of the debate were only allowed 30 seconds.Congressman Lee Zeldin, a close House ally of Trump’s, was given three minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution, a relatively lengthy window given most of his colleagues who have spoken in this hour of the debate were only allowed 30 seconds.
Zeldin directed most of his ire at Adam Schiff, accusing the intelligence committee chairman of “cherry-picking” facts and “misleading” the American public.Zeldin directed most of his ire at Adam Schiff, accusing the intelligence committee chairman of “cherry-picking” facts and “misleading” the American public.
He concluded by encouraging his colleagues to vote “no” on impeachment. “It’s a total Schiff show,” Zeldin concluded, appearing to prompt a chuckle from the Democratic chairman.He concluded by encouraging his colleagues to vote “no” on impeachment. “It’s a total Schiff show,” Zeldin concluded, appearing to prompt a chuckle from the Democratic chairman.
Adam Schiff interrupted the string of short floor speeches to argue his Republican colleagues are unable to address the accusations against Trump, claiming the president’s allies are only able to come up with “process” complaints about the impeachment inquiry.Adam Schiff interrupted the string of short floor speeches to argue his Republican colleagues are unable to address the accusations against Trump, claiming the president’s allies are only able to come up with “process” complaints about the impeachment inquiry.
Schiff’s comments prompted grumbling on the Republican side of the aisle. “Apparently, Madame Speaker, I’ve struck a nerve,” Schiff said.Schiff’s comments prompted grumbling on the Republican side of the aisle. “Apparently, Madame Speaker, I’ve struck a nerve,” Schiff said.
He went on to say of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine, “They don’t want to defend that conduct. ... What they can’t say is that this president’s conduct was ethical.”He went on to say of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine, “They don’t want to defend that conduct. ... What they can’t say is that this president’s conduct was ethical.”
“Auntie Maxine” is now trending on Twitter after congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered her floor speech in favor of the impeachment resolution.“Auntie Maxine” is now trending on Twitter after congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered her floor speech in favor of the impeachment resolution.
“This day was not inevitable, but it was predictable,” Waters said, “because this president has shown himself time and time again to believe that he is above the law and he has no respect for our Constitution or our democracy.”“This day was not inevitable, but it was predictable,” Waters said, “because this president has shown himself time and time again to believe that he is above the law and he has no respect for our Constitution or our democracy.”
Time check: there is a little over an hour remaining in the impeachment debate, but Republicans have about 43 minutes left compared to the Democrats’ 29 minutes.Time check: there is a little over an hour remaining in the impeachment debate, but Republicans have about 43 minutes left compared to the Democrats’ 29 minutes.
Meanwhile, even reporters from Hawaiian outlets have been unable to determine whether one of their representatives, Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, will participate in tonight’s impeachment vote.Meanwhile, even reporters from Hawaiian outlets have been unable to determine whether one of their representatives, Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, will participate in tonight’s impeachment vote.
Gabbard was not present for this morning’s procedural votes, and the presidential candidate proposed yesterday that Democrats censure Trump rather than impeaching him.Gabbard was not present for this morning’s procedural votes, and the presidential candidate proposed yesterday that Democrats censure Trump rather than impeaching him.
If Gabbard does appear, it’s unclear how she will vote on the two articles of impeachment.If Gabbard does appear, it’s unclear how she will vote on the two articles of impeachment.
One Republican cingressman suggested the House should consider the removal of Nancy Pelosi, prompting a laugh from the speaker.One Republican cingressman suggested the House should consider the removal of Nancy Pelosi, prompting a laugh from the speaker.
While lawmakers on Capitol Hill are preoccupied with impeachment, a federal judge dropped a long-awaited decision on healthcare, ruling that the Obamacare mandate requiring Americans to buy coverage is unconstitutional but declining to rule on whether the entire Affordable Care Act is valid. The decision doesn’t have much immediate impact, because Congress already repealed the penalty for those who don’t buy insurance. But the court delayed any decision on whether the entire ACA is unconstitutional because of the mandate, leaving it to a district court to “provide additional analysis of the provisions of the ACA as they currently exist.”While lawmakers on Capitol Hill are preoccupied with impeachment, a federal judge dropped a long-awaited decision on healthcare, ruling that the Obamacare mandate requiring Americans to buy coverage is unconstitutional but declining to rule on whether the entire Affordable Care Act is valid. The decision doesn’t have much immediate impact, because Congress already repealed the penalty for those who don’t buy insurance. But the court delayed any decision on whether the entire ACA is unconstitutional because of the mandate, leaving it to a district court to “provide additional analysis of the provisions of the ACA as they currently exist.”
In 2018, a group of Republican-led states filed a lawsuit arguing that individual mandate repeal meant that the entire law should be town down. The Fifth Circut agreed, but the decision was appealed by Democratic state attorneys, including California.In 2018, a group of Republican-led states filed a lawsuit arguing that individual mandate repeal meant that the entire law should be town down. The Fifth Circut agreed, but the decision was appealed by Democratic state attorneys, including California.
California’s attorney general Xavier Becerra said he will challenge today’s ruling as well.California’s attorney general Xavier Becerra said he will challenge today’s ruling as well.
The ruling thrusts the debate of the Affordable Care Act, and its many provisions including protections for people with preexisting medical conditions, back into the national spotlight as the 2020 elections approach.The ruling thrusts the debate of the Affordable Care Act, and its many provisions including protections for people with preexisting medical conditions, back into the national spotlight as the 2020 elections approach.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the chairwoman of the House financial service committee, argued the impeachment resolution would allow “justice” to be served.Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the chairwoman of the House financial service committee, argued the impeachment resolution would allow “justice” to be served.
Quoting Maya Angelou, Waters said of the president, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”Quoting Maya Angelou, Waters said of the president, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, another Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump in 2016, has also just taken the floor to explain her support for the impeachment resolution.Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, another Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump in 2016, has also just taken the floor to explain her support for the impeachment resolution.
Spanberger and Elaine Luria, who spoke shortly before her, are two of the vulnerable freshman Democrats who signed a Washington Post op-ed in September asserting Trump’s alleged actions toward Ukraine constituted impeachable behavior.Spanberger and Elaine Luria, who spoke shortly before her, are two of the vulnerable freshman Democrats who signed a Washington Post op-ed in September asserting Trump’s alleged actions toward Ukraine constituted impeachable behavior.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump by 3 points in 2016, has just finished delivering her floor speech explaining her support for impeachment.Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat whose district backed Trump by 3 points in 2016, has just finished delivering her floor speech explaining her support for impeachment.
Luria said she spoke today “in support of our Constitution” and the oath she first took at 17, when she entered the naval academy.Luria said she spoke today “in support of our Constitution” and the oath she first took at 17, when she entered the naval academy.
The congresswoman said she stood on the House floor with the “resolve to do what is right and not what is politically expedient.”The congresswoman said she stood on the House floor with the “resolve to do what is right and not what is politically expedient.”