Dems unveil impeachment plans
Party leaders move to nullify complaints from Trump and his GOP allies that process is illegitimate and unfair.
WASHINGTON — House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled legislation authorizing the next phase of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, as Democrats move to nullify complaints from Trump and his Republican allies that the impeachment process is illegitimate and unfair.
An eight-page resolution calls for open hearings and requires the House Intelligence
Committee to submit a report outlining its findings and recommendations, with a final recommendation on impeachment left to the Judiciary Committee.
Republicans would be allowed to request subpoenas, but such requests would ultimately be subject to a vote by the full committee, which Democrats control as the House majority.
House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of Massachusetts said the resolution provides “a clear path forward” as the
House begins a public phase of the impeachment inquiry, which up to this point has largely consisted of closed-door interviews.
“This is a sad time for our country,” McGovern said. “None of us came to Congress to impeach a president, but each of us took a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution.”
“The president’s Republican allies in Congress have tried to hide the president’s conduct, but the American people will now see the facts firsthand,” he added.
The House is expected to vote on the resolution Thursday amid complaints from Trump and his Republicans allies that the monthlong impeachment process is unfair.
In a sternly worded statement, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the measure confirms that the impeachment probe “has been an illegitimate sham from the start.”
Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 House Republican, denounced what he called a “Soviet-style impeachment process” led by House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff of California.
More than 75% of House members have been unable to view what is happening in closed-door depositions conducted by the Intelligence panel and two other committees, Scalise said.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he and other GOP lawmakers will review the House resolution to see if it passes a “smell test” of fairness to Trump.
Democrats dismissed a GOP argument that impeachment can’t begin without a formal House vote.