Trump Poised to Become Third U.S. President Impeached – Be a Part of History & Tell Your Reps How to Vote Now

by Countable's Trump Impeachment Coverage | 12.16.19

What’s the story?

• President Donald Trump will likely become the third U.S. president to be impeached when the Democratic-led House votes this week on whether Trump is guilty of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" as set out in the Constitution.
• The House is voting on two articles of impeachment: that Trump abused his power and obstructed Congress in regards to his conduct with Ukraine.

Read H. Res. 755: Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump

What’s the expected outcome?

• Democrats hold a 36-seat majority in the lower chamber, and are expected to YEA an impeachment vote, which requires a simply majority.
• In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats, and are expected to exonerate the president.

What’s the timeline?

• Early Monday, the House Judiciary Committee released a 658-page report outlining the reasons behind the two impeachment articles.

"Taken together, the articles charge that President Trump has placed his personal, political interests above our national security, our free and fair elections, and our system of checks and balances. He has engaged in a pattern of misconduct that will continue if left unchecked. Accordingly, President Trump should be impeached and removed from office," the report states.

• On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee will meet to discuss any proposed changes to the Judiciary’s resolution and set parameters for the debate.
• House Democratic leaders have scheduled a floor vote on impeachment for Wednesday.

What happens if the House resolution is passed?

• H. Res. 755: Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump is a “privileged” resolution, which means the Senate must set aside all other legislation and consider it.
• The Senate is expected to hold its trial in January.

How does impeachment work? Where are we in the process?

What’s the history of Presidential Impeachments?

The House of Representatives has formally considered articles of impeachment on three presidents:

• In 1868, the House impeached President Andrew Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, whom the law was primarily designed to protect. The Senate fell one vote shy of the two-thirds majority necessary for a conviction on three articles of impeachment, at which point the trial was adjourned and Johnson wasn’t removed from office.
• In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon related to obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress stemming from the Watergate investigation. Before the full House could vote on the articles of impeachment, Nixon became the first president to resign after further incriminating evidence emerged and it became clear support for his presidency in the Senate had deteriorated to the point he’d be convicted and removed from office.
• In 1999, the House impeached President Bill Clinton for lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstruction of justice. The charges which stemmed from his efforts to conceal an extramarital sexual relationship during a sworn deposition related to a sexual harassment lawsuit against him from his time as Arkansas governor. The Senate acquitted Clinton on votes of 45-55 and 50-50, both well short of the 67 guilty votes needed for conviction.

What do you think?

There’s talk of defection. Meaning: your reps need to know whether you want them voting YEA or NAY on impeachment. Take action above and tell your reps how to vote on  this monumental resolution, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman