The entire impeachment fiasco has become a huge embarrassment, and because the House passed it, the focus is on the Senate even though it’s Nancy Pelosi who is holding it up.
We’re talking about some top Democrats here, including, but not exclusive to, Dianne Feinstein, Chris Murphy, and Angus King.
They are all urging Pelosi to give up the ghost and release the impeachment articles.
Once it gets to the Senate, I expect it will be over very soon.
The evidence is so flimsy as to be nonexistent.
I think we will see a bipartisan dismissal of the charges.
The Senate Democrats are fully aware that Pelosi has no leverage at all, and they probably suspect she is setting them up for the fall.
A bipartisan vote for acquittal would be the best way to drop it back on her doorstep.
Once it gets to the Senate, the House Democrats will lay out their case, using as many as six members of the House.
The Republicans then have their chance to present their side.
McCarthy has hinted at sending just four.
At that point, the Senate will debate the inclusion of witnesses, followed by a vote.
McConnell says he already has the vote for dismissal, and at least one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has declared impeachment a waste.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that the Senate has the votes to move forward with phase one of the impeachment trial.
“Fifty-one senators determine what we do and there will be, I’m sure, intense discussion, once we get past phase one, about the whole witness issue,” McConnell said, while also insisting that the Senate first receive the articles from the House.
It’s getting so bad that even Feinstein is demanding Pelosi stop delaying and just hand over the articles of impeachment.
“If we’re going to do it, she should send them over,” Feinstein said. “I don’t see what good delay does.”
On Monday Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) came through on his promise and introduced a resolution to allow dismissal of the “bogus impeachment” against President Trump.
The resolution gives Speaker Pelosi 25 days from the day the articles were adopted to turn over the articles of impeachment or face dismissal of the charges.
That means Pelosi has until Sunday, January 12th to turn over the documents.