Thread by @BBuchman_CNS

Good morning from Washington, D.C.
A historic day is ready to unfold.
The House convenes at 9AM ET to begin a day of speeches and debate ahead of a vote, expected between 6:30PM-7:30PM ET, to impeach the 45th President of the United States Donald J. Trump.
@CourthouseNews

There is a chance the final vote time could shift to a bit later in the evening. It depends on the number and nature of objections mounted during debate that could slow down the process.

I will have live coverage of the proceedings throughout the day.

I have covered this presidency from its campaign inception to the inauguration and now to impeachment.
That is not something I imagine I will ever be able to say again.

But if I have learned anything in these last three years, it is that certainty is a luxury I can ill afford.

Oh, these days in December!

The House of Reps. voted to impeach Bill Clinton on Dec. 19, 1998. That means today, as the House votes to impeach Trump, we are almost 21 years to the day since the last president was impeached.

Scenes from an impeachment.

I am now coming to you live from the House floor. We have heard the morning prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Then, without wasting any time, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-AZ, proposed a motion to adjourn the hearing for today before it has even begun. A recorded vote now taking place.

We have just under five minutes left on this vote.

The motion to adjourn today's hearing from Rep Andy Biggs was defeated on the floor, 188-226.

And we have the next item up for consideration. In this, the GOP Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy proposed a motion to condemn Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Cmte.

Dems proposed a motion to table the Republican measure. First, there was a booming "NO" from GOP members. Then, a resounding "AYE" from Dems. If you're hearing it on TV, I tell you now - it doesn't do the actual intensity of the voice votes justice.

Dems are victorious. They have tabled McCarthy's motion to condemn Schiff and Nadler. 226-191.

DEVELOPING.
courthousenews.com/house-primed-t…

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-MA, is now at the lectern as debates begin. "Our founders crafted the fundamentals of government to guide us," he begins, noting how it is the House that has the sole power to impeach a president.

We are here today, Rep. McGovern says, "to decide nearly 2 1/2 centuries later whether the U.S. is still a nation where no one is above the law or if America becomes a land ruled by those who act like kings or queens."

It is not an opinion, McGovern says, that Trump violated his oath of office and abused his power when he solicited Ukraine to investigate his political opponents.
He continues:"If using the office for his own selfish personal conduct isn't impeachable, then I don't know what is"

Rep. McGovern, D-MA: This is a democracy defining moment. History will judge us by whether we keep intact that fragile republic handed down to us by our forebearers over 200 years ago.

Rep Tom Cole, R-OK, said the allegations underpinning the articles are partisan and do not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. Dems "trampled" on Republicans' rights by not giving Rs ample time to put forward their evidence, he adds.
But McGovern reminds him -

The House Rules Cmte chairman notes that Republicans have participated every step of the way. Over dozens of hearings, both public and private. They have not been blocked from proceedings, and he notes, Trump has refused to present any evidence that could support his own claims

Rep Michael Burgess, R-TX on the floor. Burgess lamenting what he has described as Dems decision to "rush to impeach" Trump.

Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla. is yielded the floor by McGovern. She says of Trump: "We know he held up aid. We know he conditioned the release of this aid on President's Zelensky opening of investigations based on debunked conspiracy theory."

Rep Shalala: "He ordered exec. branch officials to defy subpoenas and withhold information. Despite the unprecedented obstruction, the evidence in this case is powerful enough."

Rep Shalala continues: "To delay this any further would risk interference in the 2020 election and permit the erosion of checks and balances on our system. If we do not do our duty to the Constitution, the Republic we hand to our children will be less resilient."

Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-AZ, began her comments today by reflecting on her own personal history - she was married to an abusive man. She's suffered through poverty and uncertainty, she says. She never thought she would be standing here today. In next breath, she condemns today's vote

Rep Lesko, R-AZ, says Dems are tearing the country apart and are tearing families apart as she closes.
McGovern responds: "If Rs want to defend the president's reprehensible behavior, they can do so, but I encourage them to stand up for the Constitution and this country"

Rep Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif. "Where do we go from here if the Senate does not remove him?" he asks before emphasizing what he described as Trump's overarching threat to national elections.

"We must honor the nation our founders envisioned and impeach this president for violating the law and betraying the American people," Rep. Mark DeSaulnier said.

In case you were wondering there will be no amendments proposed today, per the rules established by the House Rules Cmte last night. Six hours will be allotted for debate.

Public spectators lined up just outside the chamber this morning, eagerly awaiting their chance to witness history. Some arrived a full hour before the House convened.

The public section of the chamber is comprised of rows of seats that curve around in a "u" shape. Spectators, like reporters, are given a birds-eye view to peer down on the proceedings of the floor.

There are six rows per section, most sections have about 10 seats per row. There are five sections that are almost entirely full now with members of the public.

Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-MA. says today he will vote to impeach Trump and wants the public to know why. "He broke our laws, threatened our security and abused the highest office in the country."

Rep Joe Kennedy, D-Ma: Trump's conduct "erodes our decency, degrades our dignity."

Rep Joe Kennedy: "I don't know how they will the story of this era but I want to tell you the story of this day. Let the record show today that justice won. We did our job, that we kept our word, that we stood our sacred ground."

.@USRepKCastor, D-Fla., as she emphasizes her belief that the president has threatened the integrity of U.S. elections and national security, she says "Trump violated his oath of office but I intend to uphold mine. The president must be impeached today."

@USRepKCastor In his remarks, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. says the "real threat" in the 21st century is "internal decline." That would be the idea that winners don't have to follow rules, that might makes right.

@USRepKCastor Rep Jim Baird, R-Indiana, during his time on the floor defends Trump. "The president did not commit any crimes, he did not break any laws and there was no quid pro quo."

@USRepKCastor Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-PA, makes a simple plea to all members: summon the courage to uphold the rule of law.

@USRepKCastor Rep William Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, turned often to his colleagues to look at them as he spoke. He calls Trump "amoral." He says the evidence shows Trump violated his oath of office. You can either defend him or defend the Constitution. You cannot do both, he says.

Rep Tom Cole, R-OK, responds directly to Clay and asks him not to insinuate that he is towing a party line only and not upholding his oath. He is upholding his oath, Cole says and he adds, he does believe you can defend both the Const. and Trump.

Rep McGovern passionately argued that an aye vote to impeach is about standing up for the Constitution. It's about saying that POTUS cannot act with impunity. After he finished speaking, Pelosi, who entered the floor, approached McGovern, shook his hand and nodded as they spoke

Rep. Ted Lieu, who did not attend proceedings in the House Judiciary Cmte since he was having a stent put in, is on the floor today.

Regarding the last vote just moments ago, the tally, 228-197 settles it: the debate is approved and there will be a vote on the floor. (Yes, safe to assume this, but now official)

FYI: The debate on the floor will be led by Jerry Nadler for Dems and Doug Collins for Republicans. Nadler is chair of House Judic Cmte, Collins is the ranking member on that committee.

.@SpeakerPelosi in opening statement stands next to a giant poster with an American flag featuring an excerpt from the pledge of allegiance. "For the Republic, for which it stands.."

Pelosi raises her hand to place over her heart and recites the oath: "I do solemnly swear to protect the Constitution of the U.S. against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
She notes: for 250 years members have taken this oath.

President Trump gave lawmakers "no choice" but to impeach, Pelosi says, because of his repeated violation of the U.S. Constitution.
He is an ongoing threat to national elections and national security, the very "basis of our democracy," Pelosi says.

Pelosi described Trump's assertion that Article II gives him "power to do whatever he wants" as absurd.

Pelosi recalls the words of the late Elijah Cummings who said when the history books were written, he wanted to be remembered as a lawmaker who stood up to lawlessness and tyranny.

And of course, Cummings Q: when we are dancing with the angels, what will we do to keep our democracy intact?
Pelosi calls the stmt prophetic and says today Dems are "here to defend democracy for the people" and asks for God to bless America. There is applause from Democrats.

Speaker Pelosi shook the hand of House Judiciary Cmte chairman Jerry Nadler as she exited.

Rep. Doug Collins, R-GA, speaking from the floor. Returning to his preferred refrain - the "clock and calendar," has dictated the inquiry and one day, he warns, it will hang over this House "detrimentally."

Rep Collins says Trump "did not do what is charged." Today will not be about truth, he adds. The assertion that Trump weakened a foreign leader by the majority is false, Collins says. We have to call Zelensky a liar or make up names to call him, then.

"President Trump did nothing wrong," Republican Representative Doug Collins of Georgia.

Clock and calendar tally - four, by my count.

House Judic Cmte chairman @RepJerryNadler now speaking. He is reciting the articles: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

@RepJerryNadler When you take these two articles together, Nadler says, it is evident Trump put his own personal interests above his office and above the interests of the U.S. people.

@RepJerryNadler Trump asked Zelensky for a favor. He wanted Ukr. to announce 2 bogus investigations - one into former VP Joe Biden, then his leading opponent, and another, to advance the conspiracy theory that Ukr. - not Russia - interfered in the 2016 election.

Nadler: Trump wanted to both conceal the truth about the 2016 election and give himself the advantage in the 2020 election

Nadler, like many, many other lawmakers who have been duking this out for weeks, says: The founders made it clear that abuse of power and soliciting foreign interference in our elections were impeachable offenses.

"We cannot wait for the next election, as many have suggested because Trump threatens the integrity of that election," Nadler said.

Impeachment, Nadler argues, is demanded.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., is back from heart surgery and delivering remarks now.

Trump "does not have the right to cheat U.S. elections" and firmly, Lieu adds, "We will not stand for it."

Rep Ted Lieu: "Impeachment is a form of deterrence. Our children are watching."

Rep Lieu also comments on arguably the most tender point of this whole process for President Trump: the perpetual stain it leaves on his time as president.
"This will follow him around for the rest of his life," Lieu says. And too, it will follow him in every history book.

VP Mike Pence, all the way from a rally in Michigan this morning, weighed in on the impeachment debate happening on the House floor. "Truthfully, friends, what's happening on Capitol Hill today is a disgrace," he said.

Pence claimed the only reason impeachment is happening is because Dems "know they can't defeat this president."

Meanwhile, back on the floor, advice to Rs from Rep. David Cicilline, D-RI: "Do not seek safety in the high grass and vote against these articles. Show the country your loyalty to the country is more powerful than your loyalty to your party...The POTUS must be impeached."

Rep Joe Neguse, D-CO: "No pres. has ever obstructed Congress like this before. During Watergate, Nixon's chief of staff testified before Congress. Trump's chief of staff refused. Nixon's counsel testified. Trump's refused."

The lawmaker continues:

Rep. Neguse: "WH aides close to Nixon testified. Trump's refused to allow any aide who may have knowledge relevant to this investigation to testify. Simply put, his administration has engaged in a wholesale obstruction of Congress."

Rep. John Rutherford, R-FL: Putin's goal in '16 was to sow discord in America. "Do you think he's been successful?" he quips. Then, says "somewhere Putin is laughing at the U.S. today" Putin wanted a divided US public. For past 3 yrs, House has "carried out wishes of the Kremlin.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY: "We will hold this president accountable for corrupting our democracy. We will impeach Donald John Trump. We will clarify that in America no one is above the law."

Rep Clay Higgins, R-LA, offers full-throated support of Trump: "We will never surrender our nation to career establishment D.C. politicians. Our republic will survive this threat from within. American patriots should prevail."
This prompted light applause from GOPers in chamber.

I am peering down into the chamber from the Dem side and it appears that Rep. Eric Swalwell is writing feverishly on index cards he has balanced on his knee.
(Known in part for his oratory during the hearings, I suspect he's making additions or adjustments to his coming remarks)

Rep. Nadler has quick wit for Republicans today:

Moments ago, Nadler reminds them that if Trump is impeached and removed, it wouldn't be Hillary Clinton that would be president, it would be Mike Pence.

Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX: "The president has committed constitutional crimes and his crimes are impeachable." She continues:
The truth is, the president did ask for a favor.
There was no mention of corruption in the July 25 call, only the Bidens.

Rep Sheila Jackson Lee: "He has a pattern and he remains a continuing threat to national security.
"The truth is... his acts betrayed the nation. This is the truth."

Collins asks for the time remaining in debate for each side. GOP: 2hrs 22mins. For Dems: 2hrs 27 minutes.

Update on the public spectator report: the seats have emptied out a bit, but people file in and out regularly. Noticing now that it appears - and forgive me if I am misidentifying - it appears that there are several Amish women who have come to watch today. At least 7.

Also for those who may be curious - photography is not permitted, so my descriptions will have to suffice! 😀

Republican pushing hard on angle that Ds want to overturn '16. Rep. Riggleman, R-VA, says Ds have "weaponized emotion" & echoes Trump's sentiment that Ds are "do-nothing." Nadler reminds: House has passed 400 bills, 275 bipartisan. What hasn't passed languishes w/McConnell.

This comment sticks out - the notion of "weaponized emotion." If I could ask Rep. Riggleman, I would ask if he believes the president "weaponizes emotion" when he lashes out at officials, citizens, veterans, teenage girls, the press, lawmakers et al ad infinitum on Twitter?

Meant to share this earlier while it was happening, but if you would care to read the Speaker's full opening remarks, they are available here: speaker.gov/newsroom/121819

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler,R-PA receives light applause after launching into criticism of Dems and echoing House Judic Cmte chairman Doug Collins by calling this a political hit job. Nadler responds by noting how he has not heard Rs offer a single critique of POTUS or his actions.

Time check request from Nadler.
Dems have 2HR 2 MIN remaining.
Republicans have 2HR 3 MIN remaining at this time.

Rep Nydia Velazquez, D-NY, delivers stark remarks during her turn at the dais.
"Ukraine was in a battle for its very existence. This was quite simply a geopolitical shakedown."

Rep. Velazquez continued: "The president tried to block Congress from exercising its constitutionally mandated duty to uncover the truth."

And then, from Rep. Velazquez, D-NY: "If we choose to turn a blind eye, to put political expediency before the Constitution, then we are complicit in this subversion of democracy. If we do not hold this President accountable, we have failed the people who have sent us here."

Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, offers a biblical passage from Mark for lawmakers in the chamber to dwell on before they vote tonight: "For what should it cost a man to gain the whole world only to lose his own soul?"
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews Nadler says that Dems do not hate Trump, as Republicans continue to suggest.
This prompted loud laughter from R lawmakers.

@CourthouseNews Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. says Republicans have "fallen under the dark spell of authoritarianism"

@CourthouseNews Rep Al Green, D-TX: "Shall any man be beyond justice?" If this pres. is allowed to thwart the efforts of Congress w/a legitimate impeachment inq., the POTUS will not only be above the law, he will be beyond justice. We cannot allow any person to be beyond justice in this country"

@CourthouseNews Rep. Green was the first lawmaker to call for Trump's impeachment. He demanded it back in May 2017.
(Story courtesy of BuzzFeed)
buzzfeednews.com/article/addyba…

During Green's remarks this afternoon, he stood next to a poster with the following image and bold letters above it that said "Impeach Now"

Time left in debate:
1HR 44 mins for Republicans
1HR 47.5 mins for Democrats

Rep Will Hurd, R-Texas, who has signaled now for weeks that he would not vote in favor of impeachment, asks lawmakers to put down the "fable" of impeachment.

Rep Louie Gohmert, R-TX, is up and espousing conspiracy theories about Ukraine. The impeachment, he says, was to stop the investigation of Ukr. interference in 2016.
"This is a travesty and we are in big trouble," Gohmert says.

Nadler: "I am deeply concerned that any U.S. representative will spout Russian propaganda on the floor of the House"
This triggered Gohmert who walked back onto the floor, yelling, pointing his finger at Nadler as DeGette banged gavel calling for order.

Gohmert demanded Nadler take the words back. There was cross-talk amid gaveling.

Nadler now speaking, notes Rep Doug Collins "clock and calendar" refrain. This isn't about that, Nadler says. This is about corruption and the Constitution. This is about a pres. who pressured an ally to intervene in our election and poses a threat to our next election, he says.

Nadler arguing the msg on quid pro quo was clear. It was admitted to. He refers to Mulvaney presser from exactly two months ago. Available in its entirety here:
c-span.org/video/?465446-…

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-CA quotes A. Hamilton's letter where he warns against demagogues, the threat of monarchy, men who are "despotic in ordinary demeanor." This could not be more apt to describe a person than it is to describe President Trump, Schiff says.
founders.archives.gov/documents/Hami…

Schiff: POTUS was "willing to sacrifice our nat. sec by withholding support from a critical strategic partner at war in order to improve his reelection process. But for the courage of someone willing to blow the whistle, he would have gotten away with it. Instead he got caught."

You could hear a pin drop in here.

"The Russian effort to interfere in U.S. elections did not deter Trump, it empowered him," Rep Schiff says.

Schiff emphasizes, twice, that the legislative body is "coequal" to the executive branch.
Lawmakers who back Trump on this and refuse to impeach, Schiff says those lawmakers will "rue the day" they made this decision.

In America, no one is above the law. Donald J. Trump sacrificed our national security in an effort to cheat in the next election.

He must be impeached, Schiff ends, reserving the balance of his time.

Rep Eric Swalwell, D-CA: "Who asked Ukr. - & China - to investigate his rival? Who blocks witnesses from testifying? Who until this day is sending his personal lawyer to dig up dirt & rig an election? The answer to all of these Qs is Donald Trump. This is a crime spree in action"

Update on the public spectator report from inside the chamber: More seats have been filled. America is watching. On TV, online and in person. Right here on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Schiff makes a point that GOP has pejoratively (And repeatedly) referred to veterans, high ranking foreign service officers and others who have testified against Trump as "career bureaucrats." If they are career bureaucrats for doing their job, then we need more of them, he says

When civil rights legend Rep John Lewis spoke, his voice absolutely boomed across the chamber. Today is "not a day of joy," he said.
"When you see something that is not right, you have a moral obligation to do something. Our children will ask: what did you do, what did you say?"

Rep Justin Amash, an independent, now speaking.
Under our system of govt, impeachment isnt about political disagreements, it's about upholding the Constitution. It's about making sure executive power is directed properly and in accordance with the law.

We don't need to rely on any other house or body to impeach, Rep Amash reminds the chamber.

Trump abused and violated the public trust, Amash adds.
Trump's actions "reflect exactly what the framers intended to remedy," he said.

Rep. Adam Schiff's opening remarks from the House Floor, available in full here: documentcloud.org/documents/6586…
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews Time check: Republicans have 1HR and 3 MINS. Democrats have 57 MINS remaining for debate.

@CourthouseNews Rep Eliot Engel, D-NY, and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Cmte (one of many cmtes that spearheaded the impeachment inquiry): "[Trump] used the enormous weight of the presidency and American foreign policy to push a foreign govt to smear a rival and he got caught."

"Corrupting an election means corrupting our democracy," Rep Engel continued. "If the elections are not fair, then our republic cannot stand. If it happens at any level of govt it is toxic to our democracy and this came from the highest level."

A question from the chairman: What price was the president willing to pay for the advantage in 2020?

Engel: The price was our national security

Trump gave military aid to Ukraine without issue in 2017 and 2018.
Rep Schiff, as he did during the hearings, asks today, so, what changed in 2019? Biden was suddenly a threat to him.

Schiff: As Sondland testified, Trump didn't care about Ukraine, he only cared about the "big stuff" that impacted his own bottom line.

.@RepMaxineWaters begins her remarks by quoting the wise Maya Angelou. "When someone shows you how they are, believe them the first time."
Waters: "This date was not inevitable but it was predictable."

Waters: "This president has shown himself time and time again, that he believes he is above the law. He has no respect for our Constitution or democracy. Based on all we know, we could have predicted that he would abuse the power of the presidency."

It is no secret that this president could have been impeached a long time ago, @RepMaxineWaters says.

@RepMaxineWaters Rep Jim Himes, D-CT: Trump has disrespected his office so severely, he must now be held to account.

@RepMaxineWaters Rep. Krishnamoorthi, D-IL:
While Trump falsely claims he is unable to defend himself, at the same time, he directs staff not to testify.
Surely, if he was innocent, he would allow those witnesses to testify, Krishnamoorthi says.

Krishnamoorthi: "But rather than giving them a chance to speak, POTUS has silenced them. Witnesses from Defense, State, the WH. He even silenced the loquacious Mick Mulvaney."
By blocking this testimony, he's not proving his innocence, he adds..

Expecting a vote in just a little over an hour.

A few moments ago, in case you missed it, Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Indiana, used his precious time to speak on the House floor by....not speaking.
The minute of silence began when he offered to list off all the high crimes and misdemeanors he believed Trump committed.

Schiff makes a comment suggesting that GOP won't deal in facts. Prompting many Rs from across the chamber to say in unison "There are no facts!" Schiff, w/o missing a beat, says apparently he "hit a nerve." Laughter from Dems side of the chamber.

"It is more than nonsense, it is dangerous nonsense," Schiff says of GOP and what he deems as their refusal to evaluate the record underpinning the inquiry

Rep Ratcliffe, R-TX says Americans are sick of the Dems and if they could, they would impeach them. "And they can. In November."

Schiff then laments GOP's "lack of courage" to stand up to Trump while being willing to cast aspersions on fellow lawmakers. GOP boos, hisses @ Schiff

BREAKING: Rep Jim Jordan delivering remarks and yes - your eyes do not deceive you - he is wearing a suit jacket.

Rep Jordan is taking the same tack he took during the public hearings. "The process has been unfair, dangerous & it has been harmful to our country. Democrats have never accepted the will of the American people."
FWIW: The *popular* vote, arguably, is the will of American people.

Update on the public spectator report: The spectator pews have filled out considerably (work has let out and this is the spot to be, I suppose) and folks are now spread from 5 sections, to 8. Most seats in each row are occupied.

.@RepValDemings: "Some say it takes courage to hold powerful people accountable, but I see it differently, I see it as my duty."

@RepValDemings Demings notes how she served 12 years on a hostage negotiation team. "I used to enforce the law and now I write the law. But the laws mean nothing if you destroy evidence... and blanketly refuse to cooperate."

When she concluded, light applause in the chamber from Dems

@RepValDemings Rep Liz Cheney, R-WY warns against dangers of "extreme partisanship"
"Despite all the rhetoric you've heard today, passage of the articles of impeachment may permanently damage our republic. From this day forward, a hyper-partisan majority can use this precedent to remove POTUS"

@RepValDemings "If you live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you are not above the law and you will be held accountable," Rep Adriano Espaillat, D-NY

@RepValDemings "We are not impeaching this president. He is impeaching himself," Rep. Susan Davis, D-CA.
This prompted Rs to groan.
"If you're going to obstruct justice or Congress or violate the law, you're going to get impeached. End of story."
Then, she just walks off.
Dems applaud, laugh

@RepValDemings Rep Steve Scalise says Ds "hate all 63 million people" who did not vote for Trump, This prompts loud booing from Ds for several seconds and then GOP members call out "Order! Order!" asking for Rep DeGette (who has presided all day) to call the chamber to order.

@RepValDemings Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer, who has served during 6 presidencies, says he has seen periods of rank partisanship and patriotic bipartisanship. "I've seen our two-party system work and I've seen it break down."

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.: "Never in all my years of serving did I ever expect to encounter such an obvious wrongdoing by the President of the United States."

A GOP member voices a deep, "boo."

Hoyer says Trump sided w/ Putin & has engaged in politics that separated children from their families.
GOP members muttering "Obama, Obama."

Hoyer says much is said of the 63 million people who voted for Trump, but looking directly to the GOP, he says: "But little is said about the 65 million people who voted for Hillary Clinton."

"I will not count all of the witnesses or abuses that have occurred," Hoyer says before congratulating Dems on investigations. "What I will do is remind Americans that the House provided POTUS every opp. to prove his innocence but the witnesses were precluded from coming forward"

Hoyer: "The witnesses who had personal knowledge did not come, either at POTUS request or at the committees.'
Perhaps the testimony would have exonerated him, Hoyer says of Trump.
This patent refusal, Hoyer underlines, "is unprecedented."

"Democrats did not choose this impeachment. We did not wish for it," Hoyer says, prompting laughter from GOP and shouts of "Oh, come on"
Hoyer notes how Dems voted against impeachment 3 times in total when introduced in House and voted against as recently as July.

"We did not want it but President Trump's misconduct has forced the constitutional republic to protect itself," Steny Hoyer says.
Applause from several Dems in the chamber, including, as I observed, Rep Raskin, Rep Deutch.

Rep Collins, R-GA, says D have broken the rules in the House resolution that authorized the impeachment inquiry. Referencing Devin Nunes w/o saying him by name, Collins also says Dems smeared fellow lawmakers (the log of calls between Nunes & indicted Giuliani assoc. Lev Parnas)

Collins says Trump will put America first, his voice booming, finger waving, prompting all Republicans to get up and stand on their feet, loudly applauding. He turns the floor to GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Rep McCarthy says he has something to say that many people won't like "Donald Trump is President of the United States" and he will be tomorrow, he adds, and he will be after the impeachment, prompting more thunderous applause from GOP side. Dems in silence.

Rep McCarthy says after years of "breathless outrage" this is Ds "last attempt" to stop Trump's presidency.

Rep. McCarthy says when they joined this body, they all swore to uphold the Constitution.
The Dems immediately clap, cries of "yeah" ring through their pews. Then GOP members join in. Then all members begin clapping. But it is very clear for very different reasons.

Rep McCarthy says this impeachment will erode the public trust in Congress.

Rep McCarthy, GOP leader, "It didn't have to be this way."
Then he claims Democrats are trying to appease "a new socialist base."
This prompted grumbling and groans from Democrats and shouts of approval from Republicans.

McCarthy: "I will say this stronger and with more conviction than I have ever said it before. In this time of great trial and tribulation, may God bless America."
This prompted all Republicans to rise to their feet. Only a few Ds rose to their feet to clap, then sat down quickly

Schiff delivering final remarks after some interruption by GOP. DeGette calls the chamber to order.
Schiff: "What is the defense that the GOP offers? When you cut through all the sound and the fury signifying nothing, the defense is, why should we care?

Schiff: "We should care about our allies, about Ukr., about a country struggling to be free and in a democracy. We used to care about democracy, about our allies, We used to stand up to Putin and Russia."
This prompted big applause and some standing o's from Ds in the chamber.

Schiff says even if GOP will not uphold their oath of office, he will uphold his. Standing ovation from Dem lawmakers and massive applause.
DeGette notes that debate is over. Now to the vote.
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews As House lawmakers gather on the floor to cast their vote, the scene is a bit chaotic. They are pressed closely together, Ds holding small green cards up in air that contain their votes. Rs holding red cards for their votes up in the air. The chamber is buzzing with chatter.

@CourthouseNews BREAKING: Dems have now reached the 216 member majority needed to impeach for Article I: Abuse of Power, 220-163 and counting.

@CourthouseNews Final count still being tallied on Article I. Once locked in, Article II: Obstruction of Congress up for a vote next.

@CourthouseNews BREAKING: A historic vote: President Donald J. Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives for Article I: Abuse of Power.
Final vote: 230-197-1.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, voted "present."
The article is adopted.
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews STORY WILL UPDATE.
courthousenews.com/trump-becomes-…

@CourthouseNews BREAKING: The necessary 216 member majority needed for Dems to impeach President Donald J. Trump on Article II: Obstruction of Congress, has been achieved. Final tally coming up.
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews BREAKING: Another historic vote: President Donald J. Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives for Article II: Obstruction of Congress.
Final vote: 229-198-1.
Again, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, voted "present."
Article II is adopted.
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews President Donald Trump abused the power of his office and obstructed congressional oversight into his misconduct, the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives voted after six hours of bitter debate on Wednesday.
(Via myself and @KlasfeldReports)
courthousenews.com/trump-becomes-…

@CourthouseNews @KlasfeldReports And just like that, the chamber is nearly empty, meaning finally, after 11+ hours I have spent sitting perched above the House floor reporting live to you - I exit.
Thank you for following along on this historic day.

The Capitol is bathed in light on a dark and very cold night, Dec. 18, 2019, the day the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald J. Trump for Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress.
@CourthouseNews

From Trump's inauguration to his impeachment in the House, I have been there reporting. That means today is a bookend. A new chapter is absolutely imminent, but this, this one day, is a bookend for a congressional reporter like me.

There is an entire generation of children alive today that will not know Trump as a millionaire first, not as a TV star or real estate mogul. They will read in their textbooks and know him first as he was today: the impeached 45th president of the United States.