NATION & WORLD REPUBLICANS HALT IMPEACHMENT PROBE BRIEFLY
Republicans briefly brought House Democrats’ impeachment investigation to a halt as they stormed into a closed-door deposition with a Defense Department official.
WA SHINGTON» Republicans briefly brought the Democrat-led impeachment investigation to a halt Wednesday when about two dozen GOP House members stormed into a closed-door deposition with a Defense Department official. Democrats said the move compromised national security because some of the Republicans brought electronic devices into a secure room.
The GOP maneuver delayed a deposition with Laura Cooper, a senior Defense Department official who oversees Ukraine policy, until midafternoon. The interview began about five hours behind schedule, after a security check by Capitol officials.
No Colorado members of Congress took part in the incident. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Republican, was expected to attend but had a scheduling conflict. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, helped out by delivering Chick-fil-A to his colleagues.
As diplomats have been interviewed in the probe, several of them detailing President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade Ukraine to investigate a political rival, many Republicans have been silent on the president’s behavior. But they have been outspoken about their disdain for Democrats and the impeachment process, saying it is unfair even though they have been in the room questioning witnesses and hearing the testimony.
“The members have just had it, and they want to be able to see and represent their constituents and find out what’s going on,” said Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Reform panel. That committee is one of three leading the investigation, and its members are allowed into the closed-door hearings.
Cooper was answering questions from lawmakers and staffers in response to a subpoena, an official working on the impeachment inquiry said. She was explaining to lawmakers the process of distributing military aid and being asked whether the appropriate steps were followed on Ukraine, according to a person familiar