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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
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”