Didn’t Speaker Pelosi say that impeachment needed to be bipartisan? That went down the crapper today.
Republicans have consistently claimed that the hearing has been a partisan process and they’ve called it a “kangaroo court.” Democrats have set the rules in their favor and have not allowed the Republican minority to have an opportunity to put forward their arguments with the same vigor.
Despite the shifting narrative of quid pro quo which shifted to bribery, the articles of impeachment included neither of those, but instead were listed as the malleable terms “obstruction of Congress” and “abuse of power.”
The committee adopted both articles, alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, on a party-line vote of 23-17. A final vote in the full House is expected next week, which could tee up a Senate trial in the new year just before presidential primaries are set to get underway.
Source: Fox News
This pushes the vote to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
After a 14-hour hearing on Thursday in the House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Jerry Nadler(D-NY) unilaterally decided to put off the vote until this morning.
Nadler said, “It is now very late at night, I want the members on both sides of the aisle to think about what has happened over these last two days, and to search their consciences before we cast their final votes.”
Republicans claim that this was a “bush-league stunt” by Democrats to ensure that the coverage of the vote is covered on daytime television and dominates the news cycle.
Ranking Member of the committee, Rep. Doug Collins(R-GA) pushed back, “Mr. Chairman, there was no consulting with the ranking member on your schedule for tomorrow — you just blew up schedules for everyone? You chose not to consult the ranking member on a scheduling issue of this magnitude? This is the kangaroo court we’re talking about.”
It seems that Rep. Collins was exactly right. Rep. Ted Deutch(D-FL) admitted as much on CNN.
Democrat rep admits that impeachment vote was delayed because it was too late for a TV audience. This is what they’re worried about. pic.twitter.com/4uGfDBs9Zl
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) December 13, 2019
President Trump has been tweeting frequently in the last week as noted by CNN’s astute “media watchdog” Brian Stelter.
When the Media(D) is pushing the impeachment process as legitimate when it started 2 and a half years ago for an offense that occurred 6 months ago, there needs to be some push-back. Twitter is the medium that President Trump uses incredibly successfully.
Here’s what he was tweeting prior to the vote:
“All of our presidents would be impeached under this Rogue House of Democrat Leadership.” @marklevinshow
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
“All of our presidents would be impeached under this Rogue House of Democrat Leadership.” @marklevinshow
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
How do you get Impeached when you have done NOTHING wrong (a perfect call), have created the best economy in the history of our Country, rebuilt our Military, fixed the V.A. (Choice!), cut Taxes & Regs, protected your 2nd A, created Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and soooo much more? Crazy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
Earlier this morning he noted that impeachment isn’t popular with voters — especially in swing states.
Poll numbers have gone through the roof in favor of No Impeachment, especially with Swing States and Independents in Swing States. People have figured out that the Democrats have no case, it is a total Hoax. Even Pelosi admitted yesterday that she began this scam 2 1/2 years ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
They are likely to pass in the House, although questions have been raised about moderate Democrats in districts that voted for Trump in 2016 — many of whom have not said whether they will vote for impeachment.
Should the articles pass the full House, the debate will shift to the Senate for an impeachment trial — where the Republican-controlled chamber would be expected to easily acquit the president.
Source: Fox News
There are 31 House Democrats that represent districts that President Trump won in 2016, and the Democrats can only afford to lose 18 and still win the vote. If the Articles of Impeachment are adopted by the House, there will be a hearing in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-KY) has asserted that the Republicans will support the President throughout the Senate hearing and there is “no chance” that it will pass in the Senate.
Let’s see how this works and if it goes to the Senate, the Republicans could drag it out and end the Democrat rush which is clearly intended to influence the 2020 Presidential election.