{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hres660-116/featured_directing-certain-committees-to-continue-their-ongoing-investigations-as-part-of-the-existing-house-of-represen-1572447700.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hres660-116/featured_large_directing-certain-committees-to-continue-their-ongoing-investigations-as-part-of-the-existing-house-of-represen-1572447700.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hres660-116.png"},"introduced_on":"2019-10-29","title_override":"Should the House Formalize a Process for its Impeachment Inquiry Targeting President Trump?","summary_override":"

This resolution would direct six House committees to continue their ongoing investigations into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to impeach President Donald Trump (namely the Intelligence, Judiciary, Oversight, Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, and Financial Services committees). It would also establish procedures for the committees to conduct hearings and depositions, including processes for the minority to suggest subpoenas or testimony from witnesses, which are described in greater detail below.

The House Intelligence Committee would have the ability to call open hearings related to the impeachment inquiry in which the majority and minority members would have equal time to question witnesses, and can waive the five-minute rule. There could be multiple periods of questioning, each of which would be limited to 90 minutes, and staff counsels could question witnesses for up to 45 minutes per side.

The ranking minority member could submit a written request to the chair for relevant witness testimony, and could issue subpoenas with the concurrence of the chair. If the chair declines to concur, the ranking member could put the question to a vote by the committee. Depositions could be publicly released in an electronic format with appropriate redactions for classified and other sensitive information.

The House Intelligence Committee would be directed to issue a report with its findings, recommendations, and any supporting materials to the Judiciary Committee. The chairs of other relevant committees with records related to the impeachment inquiry could also transfer those materials to the Judiciary in consultation with their ranking minority members.

The House Judiciary Committee would be authorized to conduct impeachment inquiry proceedings and put forward procedures to allow for the participation of the president and his legal counsel, in addition to other rules it deems necessary for the “fair and efficient conduct” of hearings. The ranking minority member would have the ability to request witness testimony or issue subpoenas with the concurrence of the chair, and if the chair declines the ranking member could put the matter to a vote before the committee.

After it completes its inquiry, the House Judiciary Committee would report to the full House any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other recommendations it deems necessary.

As a simple resolution, this legislation wouldn't advance beyond the House if it's adopted.

","official_title":"Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald Jo","popular_title":"","short_summary":"This resolution directs the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committees on Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, Oversight and Reform, and Ways and Means to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House to impeach President Trump. 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Should the House Formalize a Process for its Impeachment Inquiry Targeting President Trump?