Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, on Tuesday at the Capitol before the start of the impeachment trial against President Trump. Erin Schaff/The New York Times
Chief Justice John Roberts admonished an impeachment manager and the White House counsel to “remember where they are.”
The exchange came as Republicans repeatedly blocked Democrats’ efforts to subpoena documents and seek testimony. Witnesses could still be summoned later.
Democrats have argued that John Bolton’s testimony would provide a firsthand account of what transpired in the White House as military aid to Ukraine was delayed. The vote may not be the final say as senators could revisit the question of witnesses later in the trial.
With the White House prepared to try to sue in federal court to restrain him from speaking, any subpoena could set off a messy and protracted legal fight over whether he could answer questions in the trial.
Senator Mitch McConnell’s proposed rules were changed even since he had unveiled them, allowing both sides to present their cases for and against removing Mr. Trump from office over three days, tnoto two (though each side is still limited to 24 hours total). He also allowed the House’s evidence from its inquiry to be admitted into the Senate record.
Over twelve hours after the Senate opened as a trial of impeachment, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky adjourned the chamber for the evening, drawing a day of rancorous debate to a close. The Senate will reopen as a court of impeachment Wednesday afternoon, when senators are expected to hear opening arguments from the House impeachment managers.
NY TIMES
Senators will have 16 hours to ask questions, submitted in writing, likely early next week. After that, the Senate will again consider the matter of whether to subpoena witnesses or documents, at which point a few Republicans have signaled they may be open to doing so.
The Senate on Wednesday morning rejected a Democratic request to provide more time to respond to any motions that might be made during the trial, voting 52 to 48.
The proposed rules give only two hours on Wednesday to respond to any motions that might be made. House managers asked for 24 hours, a move that would have added a day of delay. White House lawyers argued against the change, saying they were ready to proceed.
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, voted with Democrats to ask for more time to respond to motions.
Under the rules proposed by Republicans, senators will eventually debate whether to consider subpoenaing witnesses. But only if Democrats win that vote would votes be taken calling specific people. And even then, the rules assert that any witnesses agreed to will be deposed privately before yet another vote on whether they can testify publicly in the Senate.
The Democratic amendment to make the changes failed by a vote of 53 to 47.
With the White House prepared to try to sue in federal court to restrain him from speaking, any subpoena could set off a messy and protracted legal fight over whether he could answer questions in the trial.
Senator Mitch McConnell’s proposed rules were changed even since he had unveiled them, allowing both sides to present their cases for and against removing Mr. Trump from office over three days, tnoto two (though each side is still limited to 24 hours total). He also allowed the House’s evidence from its inquiry to be admitted into the Senate record.
Over twelve hours after the Senate opened as a trial of impeachment, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky adjourned the chamber for the evening, drawing a day of rancorous debate to a close. The Senate will reopen as a court of impeachment Wednesday afternoon, when senators are expected to hear opening arguments from the House impeachment managers.
NY TIMES
Senators will have 16 hours to ask questions, submitted in writing, likely early next week. After that, the Senate will again consider the matter of whether to subpoena witnesses or documents, at which point a few Republicans have signaled they may be open to doing so.
The Senate on Wednesday morning rejected a Democratic request to provide more time to respond to any motions that might be made during the trial, voting 52 to 48.
The proposed rules give only two hours on Wednesday to respond to any motions that might be made. House managers asked for 24 hours, a move that would have added a day of delay. White House lawyers argued against the change, saying they were ready to proceed.
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, voted with Democrats to ask for more time to respond to motions.
Under the rules proposed by Republicans, senators will eventually debate whether to consider subpoenaing witnesses. But only if Democrats win that vote would votes be taken calling specific people. And even then, the rules assert that any witnesses agreed to will be deposed privately before yet another vote on whether they can testify publicly in the Senate.
The Democratic amendment to make the changes failed by a vote of 53 to 47.