Here's what key Republican senators told our team this evening about a Senate impeachment trial and potential testimony from John Bolton.
TILLIS: "What I don't want to do is all of a sudden open it up to where we effectively have the impeachment inquiry on the Senate side."
TILLIS: "What I don't want to do is all of a sudden open it up to where we effectively have the impeachment inquiry on the Senate side."
MURKOWSKI when asked if she agrees with McConnell's preferred trial structure: "Yep. I think it’s how we get started with this."
MURKOWSKI on Bolton testimony: "I don't think there's any decision on Bolton because we don’t have articles."
MURKOWSKI on Bolton testimony: "I don't think there's any decision on Bolton because we don’t have articles."
GARDNER asked about potential Bolton testimony: "I know you guys want to have a trial by Twitter, but is Nancy Pelosi going to follow the Constitution? I know you guys want to have a trial by Twitter, but until she has the articles sent over, there is no trial."
RUBIO on potential Bolton testimony: " I think our inquiries should be based on the testimony and evidence they [House Democrats] used to reach those articles now. ... We’re under no obligation to extend beyond the record that they created."
GRAHAM when asked if Bolton should testify: "No. I’m ready to go. If they want to call Bolton, they should have called Bolton in the House."
KENNEDY: "I don't know Mr. Bolton. What I know of him, I respect. He seems awfully anxious to testify. But I don't think his interest -- whatever the basis of it is -- and testifying is nowhere near as relevant as whether he will be allowed to testify under executive privilege."
ROMNEY on Bolton: "Sure, I'd love to hear what he has to say. He has firsthand information and assuming that articles of impeachment do reach the Senate, why I'd, I'd like to hear what he knows." Romney chose not comment about a subpoena process to compel Bolton's testimony.
COLLINS: "I have suggested that we follow the precedent that was established with Pres. Clinton's trial."
On Bolton: "It's very difficult to decide that until we go through the first few stages and look at all of the witnesses that each side would like to have if we get to it."
On Bolton: "It's very difficult to decide that until we go through the first few stages and look at all of the witnesses that each side would like to have if we get to it."
