Senate Republicans Reject Democrats' Impeachment Trump Proposals

The Republican-controlled Senate has blocked Democratic initiatives to call witnesses and present evidence in the impeachment proceedings of US President Donald Trump, which is the first sign that events will develop in a positive way for Trump. Writes about it "Voice of America".

Фото: Depositphotos

Senators blocked three different proposals by Democrat leader Chuck Schumer to request documents and information regarding Trump’s contacts with Ukraine from the White House, the State Department and the Office of Management and Budget.

At the same time, lawmakers voted in accordance with their party affiliation: 53 votes in favor, while 47 against.

With the same result, senators rejected the requirement to send a summons to testify to the head of the White House apparatus, Miku Mulvani.

Democrats urge the Senate to remove Trump from office for demanding Ukraine to investigate the activities of his political rival, former vice president Joe Biden, and subsequent attempts to impede the investigation of this issue.

In December, the House of Representatives, where the majority are Democrats, impeached Trump, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The president denies wrongdoing.

On the subject: Advocate of stars and billionaires: who will protect Trump from impeachment

On the night of Wednesday, January 22, the Senate also approved the procedure for impeachment proceedings.

In accordance with the procedure proposed by the leader of the Republican majority, Mitch McConnell, 48 hours are allotted to the opening statements of the parties - 24 hours for each side. In total, it will take six days. The previous plan assumed a tighter schedule, when each side received two days. In addition, the Senate agreed to accept, as evidence, documents from an investigation by the House of Representatives.

Opening statements will begin when the proceedings continue at 13:00 on Wednesday, January 22.

During the first discussions, the head of the Trump team of lawyers criticized the case as unfounded. In turn, the leading Democratic lawmaker stated that the evidence of the offenses is "convincing."

At the sight of the cameras, Chief Justice John Roberts declared the meeting open, and the parties began to argue about the rules of procedure proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

White House adviser Pat Sipollone, who heads Trump’s defense, criticized the accusations against the Republican president and stated that Democrats have not come close to constitutional standards for impeachment.

“The only conclusion that can be reached is that the president did absolutely nothing wrong,” said Sipollone. “It just doesn't matter.”

Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff, who was one of the initiators of the House of Representatives investigation, summarized the allegations against Trump, saying the president committed "a constitutional misconduct to justify impeachment."

On the subject: Survey: how do countries around the world treat Trump and the USA

According to Schiff, although the evidence collected against Trump is “already convincing,” further witness testimony is needed to demonstrate the magnitude of the crime that the president and his entourage committed. ”

Democrats said they demanded a few votes to present evidence and call witnesses in order to capture Republicans' stance on this issue.

“Perhaps today we will have the only chance to achieve a fair trial. But it is becoming increasingly apparent that the White House does not have answers to questions about why you cannot request these documents and call these witnesses, ”Senator Chris Murphy told reporters.

Read also on ForumDaily:

The United States will tighten the rules for issuing visas to pregnant foreigners: what will change

In a small town in Alaska, an early census began: what is the reason for the rush

The Future of the Presidential Election: US Supreme Court Decides Fate of Voting Process

Advocate of stars and billionaires: who will protect Trump from impeachment

4 important changes that will affect social security in 2020

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.