McConnell Resolution: Closing Arguments on Monday, Impeachment Vote on Wednesday

MARY CHASTAIN JAN 31, 2020 9:00 PM

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.

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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