Pelosi Says House Will Send Trump Impeachment Articles to the Senate Wednesday

by Axios | 1.14.20

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told a private caucus of Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday that she will likely hold a vote on a resolution that would transmit the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate on Wednesday, Axios has confirmed.

Why it matters: The vote would end Pelosi's pressure campaign against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to allow additional documents and witnesses in the Senate's impeachment trial — and allow it to officially kick off in the coming days.

• Of note: Pelosi reportedly declined to name those who would serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial during the caucus meeting.

What's next, via Axios' Alayna Treene: The first few days of trial are expected to be procedural — including the swearing-in of Chief Justice John Roberts, senators as jurors and additional housekeeping items.

• Simultaneously, senators will debate the resolution laying out the terms for the trial, a Republican leadership aide told Axios.

The big picture: Pelosi recently defended her decision to delay the impeachment trial by several weeks, and she said the ball is now in McConnell's court.

• She said McConnell will be held "accountable to the American people."
• In December, McConnell said he would not be an impartial juror during the Senate trial, calling it a "political process."

Go deeper:

• Pennsylvania swing voters unhappy with McConnell's impeachment comments
• McConnell: Senators' impeachment role is "nothing like the job of jurors in the legal system"