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Democrats poised to vote on articles of impeachment against Trump – live Trump is impeached following vote in House of Representatives – live
(32 minutes later)
Lawmakers give impassioned speeches over allegations ahead of a vote that is all but certain to impeach the president House holds historic vote after day-long debate over two articles, making Trump the third US president to be impeached
A majority of House members have now voted “yes” on the first article of impeachment, but it is not official until the end of the vote is called.
The vote is currently 219-164.
Congressman Collin Peterson has now voted “no” on the first article of impeachment, becoming only the second (and likely last) House Democrat to oppose the article.
Congressman Ron Kind, who avoided stating publicly whether he would support impeachment, has voted “yes,” as has congressman Jared Golden.
Golden, a Democrat from Maine, announced yesterday that he would support the first article of impeachment, but not the second, so his vote will switch to a “no” when that article is taken up.
As expected, congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who is expected to switch parties after the impeachment vote and has spent the day on the Republican side of the aisle, has voted “no” on the first article of impeachment.
Democratic congressman Collin Peterson is also likely to vote “no,” but every other House Democrat is expected to support the first article, which is abuse of power.
More than 11 hours after the start of today’s impeachment hearings, the vote is now underway on the first article of impeachment against Trump, which is abuse of power.
House members will have 15 minutes to cast their votes, and many are choosing to do it by hand rather than electronically.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, speaking at his campaign rally in Michigan said, “By the way, it doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached.”
“We did nothing wrong and we have tremendous support in the Republican party like we’ve never had before,” he said.
Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, has concluded his remarks, wrapping up the debate on the impeachment resolution.
The chamber has now moved on to a vote on the two articles of impeachment.
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy has concluded his floor speech, and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff is now delivering the final remarks of the impeachment debate.
Schiff accused his Republican colleagues of spending their debate time spewing a lot of “sound and fury signifying nothing.” But the chairman said the Republican argument boiled down to this question: “Why should we care what the president did to Ukraine?”
Schiff went on to say America should care about the plight of its allies, particularly a struggling democracy like Ukraine.
He also encouraged his Republican colleagues to consider the precedent it would set if the House did not impeach Trump, warning it could signal presidents can just ignore congressional oversight.
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy accused Democrats of acquiescing to their “new socialist base” in pursuing the impeachment of Trump.
“It didn’t have to be this way. Is this why we came here to serve? To trample on due process rights? To issue more subpoenas than laws? To appease the new Democrat-socialist base?” McCarthy said.
“Fortunately, the people will have the opportunity to speak up and render their verdict in 11 short months,” the California Republican continued. “To my fellow Americans -- If you approve of the way this House has conducted its business -- if you want to see your tax dollars go towards endless investigations -- support impeachment.
“But if you want to restore a working Congress -- like the previous Congress that listened to you and worked to bring the best economy this country has ever seen and will once again work with the President to get things done for you and your family -- then join Republicans in rejecting this baseless impeachment. That’s what’s wonderful about this system of ours: we are a government of, by, and for the people.”
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opened his floor speech by sharing a fact that Democrats will “hate to hear”: “Donald J. Trump is president of the United States,” prompting cheers from his Republican caucus.House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opened his floor speech by sharing a fact that Democrats will “hate to hear”: “Donald J. Trump is president of the United States,” prompting cheers from his Republican caucus.
“He is president today, he will be president tomorrow and he will be president when this impeachment is over,” McCarthy said.“He is president today, he will be president tomorrow and he will be president when this impeachment is over,” McCarthy said.
“Here is our choice tonight,” McCarthy continued, “Will we let impeachment become an exercise of raw political power, regardless if it damages our country? Or will we protect the proper grounds and process for impeachment now and in the future?”“Here is our choice tonight,” McCarthy continued, “Will we let impeachment become an exercise of raw political power, regardless if it damages our country? Or will we protect the proper grounds and process for impeachment now and in the future?”
Majority leader Steny Hoyer has concluded his floor speech, and congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now delivering some remarks.Majority leader Steny Hoyer has concluded his floor speech, and congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now delivering some remarks.
The final two speakers are expected to be minority leader Kevin McCarthy and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.The final two speakers are expected to be minority leader Kevin McCarthy and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
In his floor speech, majority leader Steny Hoyer praised congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump.In his floor speech, majority leader Steny Hoyer praised congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump.
Amash spoke on the floor earlier today, encouraging his colleagues to vote in favor of impeachment for the sake of the country.Amash spoke on the floor earlier today, encouraging his colleagues to vote in favor of impeachment for the sake of the country.
“We need not ask who will be the first to show courage by standing up to President Trump,” Hoyer said. “The question we must now ask is who will be the last to find it.”“We need not ask who will be the first to show courage by standing up to President Trump,” Hoyer said. “The question we must now ask is who will be the last to find it.”
House Republicans have repeatedly jeered Steny Hoyer as the majority leader delivers his floor speech presenting Democrats’ position on the impeachment resolution.House Republicans have repeatedly jeered Steny Hoyer as the majority leader delivers his floor speech presenting Democrats’ position on the impeachment resolution.
Trump arrives in Michigan for a campaign rallyTrump arrives in Michigan for a campaign rally
As the impeachment debate rolls toward a final vote, Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan, where he is holding a campaign rally tonight.As the impeachment debate rolls toward a final vote, Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan, where he is holding a campaign rally tonight.
Upon deboarding his plane, the president did not speak to the press, signaling that he was doing “good,” as he waved off questions.Upon deboarding his plane, the president did not speak to the press, signaling that he was doing “good,” as he waved off questions.
He did issue a statement on the Affordable Care Act ruling earlier today, reassuring that “this decision will not alter the current healthcare system.”He did issue a statement on the Affordable Care Act ruling earlier today, reassuring that “this decision will not alter the current healthcare system.”
Besides posting an all-caps tweet decrying “atrocious lies by the radical left” several hours ago, Trump has remained relatively quiet on impeachment today.Besides posting an all-caps tweet decrying “atrocious lies by the radical left” several hours ago, Trump has remained relatively quiet on impeachment today.
Members of Congress may begin voting on articles of impeachment against Trump as he takes the rally podium.Members of Congress may begin voting on articles of impeachment against Trump as he takes the rally podium.
Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged the 63 million people who voted for Trump in 2016 but quickly nodded to the 65 million who voted for Hillary Clinton, appearing to prompt some cheers from the Democratic side of the aisle.Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged the 63 million people who voted for Trump in 2016 but quickly nodded to the 65 million who voted for Hillary Clinton, appearing to prompt some cheers from the Democratic side of the aisle.
The Maryland Democrat also reminded his Republican colleagues that he and the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, resisted the idea of impeachment for months, until the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy emerged.The Maryland Democrat also reminded his Republican colleagues that he and the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, resisted the idea of impeachment for months, until the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy emerged.
The most senior Democrats and Republicans in the House are now delivering their floor speeches, indicating the debate on the impeachment resolution is winding down.
House minority whip Steve Scalise has just finished speaking, and majority leader Steny Hoyer has now taken the mic. Minority leader Kevin McCarthy also tweeted he would soon speak on the floor.
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.
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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.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.