https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/12/23/trump-impeachment-trial-pelosi-mcconnell-constitutional-crisis-column/2714983001/
Among other matters, the 1986 rules provided that “the Senate shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses.” When disagreement broke out about whether to call witnesses, the senators deliberated in private, and then publicly voted to depose witnesses. The senators heard videotaped deposition testimony from three witnesses. The trial lasted more than a month.
The 1986 rules are still in force. Yet Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has declared his intent to ignore them and to run the trial according to whatever procedures the White House wants. Apparently, McConnell sees no conflict between swearing an oath to do justice according to law and then confessing that “Everything I do during this, I'm coordinating with the White House counsel. There will be no difference between the president's position and our position.”
What a farce. How long did we hear about "the need to investigate", how long did the congressfolk all argue with each other when everyone knew that the vote to impeach would fall along party lines. And now that she knows that she's going to lose the trial in the Senate, Pelosi is holding back from giving them the ball!
ReplyDeleteThis could have been done in 10 minutes - have a vote in the HoR - guilty! Vote in the Senate - Innocent!