McConnell Resolution: Closing Arguments on Monday, Impeachment Vote on Wednesday
It will conflict with the Iowa caucus on Monday and SOTU on Tuesday.
The Senate voted not to call additional witnesses and bring forth new evidence 51-49, with Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) voting yay with the Democrats.
The Senate then took a recess before voting on a motion from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to have closing arguments on Monday and vote on the articles on Wednesday.
Here is a copy of the resolution:
But Minority Leader Chuck Schumer began the session whining about Chief Justice John Roberts choosing not to cast a tie-breaking vote if the vote to bring in additional witnesses and documents landed in a tie.
Chief Justice Roberts to Schumer when asked about Chief Justice Chase in Johnson’s 1868 impeachment trial: I do not regard those isolated episodes 150 years ago as sufficient to support a general authority to break ties..
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 1, 2020
Chief Justice Roberts on breaking ties in an inpeachment trial: think it would be inappropriate for me, an unelected official from a different branch of government, to assert the power to change that result so that the motion would succeed.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 1, 2020
Schumer offered these four amendments on the resolution:
- Schumer amendment to subpoena acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, former national security adviser John Bolton, associate director of the Office of Management and Budget Michael Duffey, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair, and White House, Budget office, Department of Defense and State Department documents
- Schumer amendment to subpoena John Bolton
- Schumer amendment to subpoena Bolton; provided further that there be one day for a deposition presided over by Chief Justice, and one day for live testimony before the Senate, both of which must occur within 5 days of adoption of the underlying resolution
- Van Hollen amendment to require the Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents, and to rule on any assertion of privilege
The Senate tabled (effectively killed) all of the amendments. The votes in order:
- 53-47
- 51-49 (Collins & Romney again)
- 51-49 (Collins & Romney again)
- 53-47
Then the Senate voted 53-47 to pass McConnell’s resolution.
So here is how it will go next week:
Monday: Closing arguments for four hours starting at 11 a.m. ET. Afterward, each senator will have 10 minutes.
This will lead into Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Senate will vote on the articles of impeachment on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
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Comments
Lets play a random bit of what-if? After the election and taking both houses, impeach Chief Justice Roberts for FISA court abuses. Get Trump another shot on the Supreme Court.
++++++ ++++++ ++++++
Devin Nunes: “This Really is a Hoax”…..
HPSCI Ranking Member Devin Nunes brings an uncomfortable dose of reality to a media discussion and he’s exactly correct…..
The Crossfire Hurricane hoax was constructed with an insurance policy to initiate the Mueller investigation, another hoax.
This same network of political operatives, all of which know each-other and work together in various government factions, then morphed the Mueller hoax into the Ukraine hoax; it’s one long continuum and it will not stop with a Senate impeachment acquittal….
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/01/31/devin-nunes-the-schiff-staff-wont-quit-an-impeachment-acquittal-wont-end-this-this-really-is-a-hoax/
Of course Nunes is correct, and it doesn’t take a mind reader to determine this. The Socialist-Democrats have already told us they will bring more Articles of Impeachment just as soon as they can find a suitable issue to hijack for another Impeachment “Inquiry”.
I don’t know about the Roberts part of your proposal, but the falsified 302s and FBI misconduct we know about, combined with the inherent secrecy of all that goes on within FISA court and it’s powers and apparent inaction within the justice Department in response to what the tell us they know seems a far, far greater threat to the nation than anything alleged by House Democrats in the Articles of Impeachment.
strzok knew to go sniffing around rudy contreras’ courtroom to get his fake FISA warrant rubber stamped. strzok is the lynchpin of Crossfire Hurricane/Spygate. john roberts hand selected contreras. I hear a lot of talk about how the fbi abused the FISC. Pulled the wool over their eyes. That’s BS. dubya appointed john roberts. His dad, hw, was a key deep state player for decades, including a former c_a director (funny how those three letters keep popping up, c_a). D.C is truly a swamp, a sewer. The deep staters are in it for themselves, enriching themselves at the expense of the average American. How is it these “public servants” become filthy rich?
Yes, Roberts is corrupt to his very core.
So are the Bushes.
Good idea, Rabid Wombat..!
Thank you very much for this catch.
WTF? Roberts isn’t on the FISA Court.
You are right, but he does designate who is. The buck has to stop somewhere.
“ The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court was established in 1978 when Congress enacted the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is codified, as amended, at 50 U.S.C. §§ 1801-1885c. The Court sits in Washington D.C., and is composed of eleven federal district court judges who are designated by the Chief Justice of the United States. Each judge serves for a maximum of seven years and their terms are staggered to ensure continuity on the Court. By statute, the judges must be drawn from at least seven of the United States judicial circuits, and three of the judges must reside within 20 miles of the District of Columbia. Judges typically sit for one week at a time, on a rotating basis.”
https://www.fisc.uscourts.gov/about-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-court
That’s ridiculous. He appoints the judges, for seven-year terms; how does that make him responsible if they mess up on a case, perhaps years after they were appointed? How can you even suggest impeaching him for it? You might as well impeach Trump every time one of his appointments does something you don’t like.
I guess there is only one thing to say at this point.
I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THIS SCHIFF! So, enough already.
The longer this goes on, the more I fear a Republican collapse.
relax, and look what happened – it’s the dems who are collapsing. I turned on MSNBC this morning for a minute (usually never would) and all they had on was a somber host explaining this big graphic that said “ACQUITTED” and “EXONERATED”. It’s wasn’t “news”, it wasn’t even opinion. It was just Grief Counseling for the True Believers. “We won, we really did, you gotta believe! we really won!!!”
It was hilarious!!!
And it’s even funnier to realize that they are admitting defeat before Pres. Trump is “ACQUITTED” and “EXONERATED’. That vote doesn’t even take place until Wednesday for gods sake. What a bunch of idiots. Give Pres. Trump the victory before the victory has even been given to him.
It is sheer weakness on Turtle’s part to allow the SOTU on Tuesday before acquittal on Wednesday. Why did he agree? I understand he has to be gracious and let all the senators get their 5-minutes on record, but this could have been done Saturday and Sunday if need be. The hell with Iowa. I think it is important that the SOTU be given after acquittal. MSM taking heads will make a big deal about this on Tuesday – SOTU by a non-acquitted president.
This is likely an intentional bonehead maneuver by Turtle. Pure lunacy. No doubt giving in, or compromising, with Schumer. Bad move, Turtle.
The timing does have me wondering how Trump will address impeachment in the SOTU. I’m hopeful he’ll tout every victory, every accomplishment, all the growth, spotlight exceptional American patriots since the last SOTU. Boast on America! Boast! And boast some more!
And in his very last sentence say “Regarding impeachment, I guess Democrats just don’t like to see America put first.” Or some other dagger-of-a-close.
Why should he address it at all. Impeachment that is. Just give the standard SOTU blah, blah, blah and then hightail it outta there. The worst thing that could happen for democrats is for the President to ignore them. So he should do just that. Ignore them and don’t bring it up. In fact, why give the speech at all. There’s no rule or law that says the President has to go before Congress to give the SOTU. Trump should just send a written SOTU document to Pelosi and McConnell with a request that they distribute it to their respective members and be done with it. That would be both constitutional and legal. How could the democrats possibly complain about that.
This! Send it by mail. The dems are just going to try to make themselves important somehow, just watch. If President Trump gives it live, he shouldn’t mention the impeachment at all
That loser romney voted with the democtats.
Candy crowley must have pressured him.
If I were Trump I would not want to give a SOTU the day before a vote that could kick me out of office if for no other reason than I could not speak freely about it for fear of losing a vote.
I would much rather Trump give a speech on Thursday where he can rub it in without worrying about one of the weak sisters in the party being offended by his crassness.
Also, If I were Mitch, I would say Schumer wanted to drag it out to assure that Biden had a free hand in the Iowa Caucus and then watch the fireworks as the Dems tear themselves apart over it.
Perhaps will trump should do is do his State of the Union in the form of a letter. It’s only been in recent times that we’ve had it as a speech. There’s nothing says that it has to be.
I think Trump is going to be extremely Presidential, and I think he is going to knock it out of the park. In an election year, this is effectively the official start of his Re-Election campaign, and a whole lot of the country is going to be watching.
I think it’s going to be great!
I agree. Give the SOU. Trump will hit a home run just like he always does. The shampeachment will just increase the numbers watching. Good time to let the less attentive know the true economic “miracle”* numbers.
*it’s a “miracle” because we are using common sense in our economic decision making for a change.
There’s no law or requirement that Pres. Trump has to stand in front of Congress and read the SOTU address to them. So he shouldn’t. Simply send a carefully worded SOTU statement to Pelosi and the rest of Congress and then walk away from it. No speech necessary. And perfectly constitutional and legal. The democrats certainly couldn’t complain about that, could they?
I think Trump should consider postponing the SOTU. I am pretty disgusted with McConnell over this schedule, it is a slap in the face for President Trump to have the acquit vote be after the State of the Union. It just is underhanded of the Turtle to agree to this insulting schedule.
Romney and Collins should be treated as if they are toxic waste, which they are. I have zero use for them, and hope to see they have their careers curtailed because of this betrayal.
Don’t blame McConnell – all of the Senators wanted to take the weekend off, and a lot of them wanted the chance to give 10 minute statements on the floor before it’s over (ie, cut November campaign ads) So that’s all this schedule is about, the GOP Senators wanted it just as much as the dems. And it really doesn’t matter, the real vote took place last night. It’s over. My prediction for the final vote on Wednesday is 55 – 45 to acquit.
It’s over.
I will absolutely blame McConnell. He’s allegedly in charge of this sh!tshow; he owns it.
It amazes me the excuses made for the many failures of republican leadership. I don’t like Nancy Pelosi’s political positions, but the Rs would do well to study her leadership techniques when she was at her peak.
McConnell is not a dictator.
But McConnell is the one that submitted the Resolution that set the timetable for the ending of the impeachment trial. McConnell should have wrapped all of it up on Monday and to hell with all the last minute speeches and electioneering.
No, but he is incredibly mediocre as a statesman and a leader of the GOP Senate.
Worse, he is hardly trustworthy. (Remember how he ran to the bosom of obama, and unequivocally told the base to f**k off?)
If we had a Trumpian in place of the turtle, America would hear a voice louder than the likes of schiff and pelosi.
In any event, mcconell is corrupt, and we all know it.
So the Democrat senators get to make their five-minute speeches and then, when they’re done, President Trump gets the last word.
What makes people think he didn’t want it that way?
There’s no law or requirement that Pres. Trump has to stand in front of Congress and read the SOTU address to them. So he shouldn’t. Simply send a carefully worded SOTU statement to Pelosi and the rest of Congress and then walk away from it. No speech necessary. And perfectly constitutional and legal. The democrats certainly couldn’t complain about that, could they?.
We need a Senator or two more to nullify the power of Collins, Murkowski and Romney.
Ah, I feel better. The exploding heads screaming this is the end of our Democracy were getting to me.
I swear I could teach a class on explaining what a constitutional republic is now.
It’s not like any of the GOP Senators in office couldn’t. It’s just that – save for a handful – they’re swamp nothings at best. At worst, they’re bought and paid for.
Look for delicious payback from PDJT. He is not a man to be trifled with.
the payback will not come from PDJT, it will come from the voters, I suspect Collins seat is lost unless she is primaried, and Romney seat well I think Utah is having buyers remorse for electing him, he might not have been elected if not for some shenanigans from Orin Hatch.
Patrick Philbin has a pleasant voice and presents clear arguments. I find his manner disarming. This manner is very different than I am accustomed. It seems to me to be very effective. Blood and guts would be my normal approach. Does this calm methodical almost monotone presentation resonate with the senators and the general population? I am unsure.
Philbin’s nickname among a group of us who have been watching the trial is “The Undertaker”.
Why? He effectively buried Schiff and the Articles of Impeachment.
Philbin my personal favorite, with Mike Purpura and Pam Bondi also receiving a lot of praise. Alan Dershowitz was so wonderful that the media promptly started attacking him, because he was so effective.
LOL – I remember both a wrestler and a Monster Truck named “The Undertaker”
Fwiw Paul,
It sure resonated with me. I absolutely had a crush on that guy. Think screaming teenage girl Beatle mania adoration, well, without the screaming, and from my lazyboy. I don’t know anything about his background, but I kept thinking, Patrick, 2024! I have often thought that lawyers communicate in their own language, (present company excepted) he was brilliant, and understandable. And hot, in a lawyerly way..
This will keep Warren and Sanders in D.C. and out of Iowa. Probably Pelosi’s plan all along. It will also give each of them 10 more minutes to say more stupid stuff.
I seriously thought what we heard before the vote Friday night were closing arguments. I literally can not watch any more of this. This is Groundhog Day with the same arguments over and over. Please spare us.
I’m just cynical enough to think there’s going to be another delay past Wednesday. It’s a combination of the Democrats and that idiot bitch McConnell that want this. (Shaking my cane for emphasis) Mark my words!
Mitch. Don’t use speech to text when you have a head cold.
Same here. It irks me that McConnell whined about Edwards choosing not to cast the tie-breaking vote had it come to that. Suggests to me that maybe we were heading for a tie among elected jurors with McConnell hoping to pass the political fall-out on to a non-elected provisional juror. Makes me wonder how much pressure he must have placed on Murkowski to switch her vote. Edwards response was spot-on correct.
I just don’t trust these weasels. The Republicans always seem to find a way turn a slam-dunk victory into a shameful defeat. It’s not over yet so save the fireworks.
Edwards?! You mean Roberts — right?!
Oops!
That was a shitty move, scheduling the vote after SOTU.
Trump should cancel it.
He can give a speech after the vote. Call it SOTU or call it “This Is POTUS’ Speech”. Who cares?
I’m expecting the Dems to stage a protest for the cameras, worse than the usual sitting on hands and pained expressions.
Are they going to wear costumes? I love it when the left wears costumes at their protests. It underscores the unreal, frivolous, circus-like nature of the event.
You mean like how they celebrated child murder and their KKK last year by dress in those white Klan robes?
Maybe they’ll come in blackface to remind the world how many blacks are dying at the hands of Trump. Employment statistics reflect how many are now being worked to death in Trump’s work camps. Worse than Hitler! They’ll carry “Arbeit macht frei!” signs.
Oh yeah, that’s probably their play for this year.
Enjoy your weekend, my friends. I leave you with my favorite Clapton song: “River of (Liberal) Tears”
https://youtu.be/X55nF0OqTmA
To quote Nigel Farage:
“We did it. We transformed the landscape of our country. The people have beaten the establishment. The real winner tonight is democracy.”
The timing does have me wondering how Trump will address impeachment in the SOTU. I’m hopeful he’ll tout every victory, every accomplishment, all the growth, spotlight exceptional American patriots since the last SOTU. Boast on America! Boast! And boast some more!
And in his very last sentence say “Regarding impeachment, I guess Democrats just don’t like to see America put first.” Or some other dagger-of-a-close.
I think his last line should be that “The news media seem to all be saying I will be acquitted tomorrow” Wait for standing ovation to die down. “I guess if that’s true, after tomorrow we will be able to say President Trump was ACQUITTED FOREVER!!”
As for Mitch McConnell, under the rules he was bound to there was no way for him to force a decision before the SOTU. He didn’t have the votes to change the rules for impeachment that were adopted at the start of the trial. Still too many RINOs.
In other news…
Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was notified Friday by a tweet from Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) chair Matt Schlapp that he was “not invited” to the annual conference after being one of two Republicans in the Senate to vote to call additional witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
“The ‘extreme conservative’ and Junior Senator from the great state of Utah, @SenatorRomney is formally NOT invited to #CPAC2020,” Schlapp tweeted.
–Mitt Romney Is ‘Formally Not Invited’ To CPAC | The Daily Caller
–https://dailycaller.com/2020/01/31/mitt-romney-not-invited-cpac/
-RETRIEVED-Sat Feb 01 2020 21:21:55 GMT+0100 (Central European Standard Time)
About time!
Enough of these Democrat Party spies dressed in GOP uniforms.
McConnell – what a jerk – Delaying the vote until Wednesday – Liawatha and Bernie Stalin Sanders wont be able to campaign in Iowa all day Monday.
Hirono:
‘I Don’t Care What Nice, Little, Legal, Constitutional Defenses That They Came Up With On Impeachment
https://www.weaselzippers.us/442983-hirono-i-dont-care-what-nice-little-legal-constitutional-defenses-that-they-came-up-with-on-impeachment/
Damn!! What a bunch of sore winners!
Pelosi says no acquittal because the trial didn’t have witnesses or docs.
.. and who’s fault is that ?
Pelosi and the House “screwed the pooch” with ‘blitz-peachment’.
They had one job .. they failed.
Just wait until “The Squad” start saying this (without the ‘and the House’ part). They will.