“Mr. Chairman, there are 23 ayes and 17 noes,” the committee clerk said twice, as Democrats moved in rapid fire fashion to report the impeachment articles to the full House.
WATCH: House Judiciary Committee Vote
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 13, 2019
Articles of Impeachment -- Article 1: Abuse of Power
APPROVED 23 – 17 pic.twitter.com/5LUpDeAzjw
WATCH: House Judiciary Committee Vote
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 13, 2019
Articles of Impeachment -- Article 2: Obstruction of Congress
APPROVED 23 – 17 pic.twitter.com/q1s2IVHpvJ
Republicans denounced the outcome.
You don't get to remove a President because you don't like him,” said Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA). “They did not produce a scintilla of evidence to support a charge of impeachment.”
“This is really a travesty for America and it’s really tearing America apart,” said Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), who called the effort a 'railroad job.'
“It was a witch hunt,” said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).
The President used his office for his private benefit. He jeopardized our national security, and elections. He covered it up.
Democrats said the case for action was simple.
“The President used his office for his private benefit. He jeopardized our national security, and elections. He covered it up,” said Rep. Val Demings (D-FL).
“Today is a solemn and said day,” said House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY). “The House will act expeditiously.”
"Today is a solemn and sad day. For the third time in a little over a century-and-a-half the House Judiciary Committee has voted Articles of impeachment against the president for Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. The House will act expeditiously." pic.twitter.com/4cNUxqFoyo
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 13, 2019
I have also voted yes on an article of impeachment for obstruction of Congress.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) December 13, 2019
Everybody counts. And everybody is accountable. https://t.co/ikkPBnH2nV
The committee vote sends the issue to the full House, where a vote is expected next week.
If the House votes to impeach, the Senate would be required to hold a historic impeachment trial, which is expected to start in January.
President Trump would be the third President subjected to such a trial under the Constitution, joining Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.
As for the President, his Press Secretary joined GOP lawmakers in ridiculing the impeachment effort.
“This desperate charade of an impeachment inquiry in the House Judiciary Committee has reached its shameful end,” Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a written statement.
“The President looks forward to receiving in the Senate the fair treatment and due process which continues to be disgracefully denied to him by the House,” she added.
A Senate impeachment trial is expected to start in January.
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