Pelosi on Thursday told reporters that she would transmit the articles “soon” but wouldn’t provide a timeline.
McConnell (R-Ky.) plans to begin the trial with arguments from Trump’s counsel and the House impeachment managers, and make decisions on witnesses later. Democrats have sought to get an agreement on new evidence before the trial begins, but McConnell spurned them and locked up the votes to pass a trial blueprint without Democratic support.
Democrats can still force those votes on key administration witnesses and documents, but Republicans are likely to retaliate with votes to subpoena Hunter Biden and others.
Senate Republicans had been planning on Thursday to discuss Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) resolution to change the Senate rules and dismiss Trump’s impeachment if the articles aren’t transmitted, a response to the weeks-long delay since the House impeached Trump in December. But that discussion was punted given the imminent feeling in the conference about the transmission of the articles and impeachment managers.
McConnell is also signing onto Hawley’s resolution. Though the Senate won’t act to change its rules in the coming days, it’s a response to speed up future potential impeachments and a similar rift occurring between a speaker and Senate majority leader, a source familiar with his plans said.
Marianne LeVine contributed to this report.
Source: politico.com
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