The House is preparing to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate to start the historic trial, several people tell the AP. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was meeting privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade almost a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case, according to a Democratic aide. The action will launch the rare Senate proceeding, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year.
Pelosi has argued that the delay was justified by John Bolton's offer to testify for the Senate, and the emergence of details about aid to Ukraine, per USA Today. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday that it would be impractical to sent the impeachment articles before Wednesday, because three senators are debating in tonight's presidential debate in Iowa, CNN reports. The trial would begin in a matter of days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is meeting behind closed doors later Tuesday with GOP senators as they negotiate the terms of the trial. Senate Republicans are signaling they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump, as the president has suggested.
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