shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > News > World News > Article > McConnell US Senate likely to begin Trump impeachment trial on Tuesday

McConnell: US Senate likely to begin Trump impeachment trial on Tuesday

Updated on: 16 January,2020 08:32 AM IST  |  Washington
Agencies |

On September 24 the House voted on two articles of impeachment against Trump - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress

McConnell: US Senate likely to begin Trump impeachment trial on Tuesday

Donald Trump

Washington: The Senate is likely to begin the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump on January 21, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday. [US time]


McConnell's remarks came after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would vote on Wednesday and send its impeachment trial to the Senate.


The 435-member US House of Representatives, where Democrats enjoy a majority, last month charged Trump with "high crimes and misdemeanours" and impeached him for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival.


Initiated by Pelosi on September 24, the House voted on two articles of impeachment against Trump — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump and the White House have denied those charges. The Senate needs to complete motion of trial before voting on the impeachment. The trial would be presided by the Supreme Court Chief Justice.

"The House is likely to finally send the articles over to us tomorrow, allowing Senate to take steps which would set us up to begin the actual trial next Tuesday," McConnell told reporters at the US Capitol. Before that, Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in senators as jurors this week. This is likely to happen before the Martin Luther King Jr holiday.

Pelosi, who had held on the impeachment for about four weeks from sending it to the Senate on Tuesday, told a caucus meeting that she is ready to proceed ahead and a vote on this is scheduled for Wednesday.

The vote by the House of Representatives would be on three things — transmit articles of impeachment against Trump; name the impeachment managers, and finally provide funding for the trial.

"We expect to transmit tomorrow at some point in time during the day. The Speaker may well announce the managers before the resolution comes to the floor," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Once the House sends its impeachment trial to the Senate, the upper house would formally begin the process. Prominent among them include swearing-in of the Chief Justice who will preside over the trail and passing of a rules package.

Trump, joined by his Republican party, has accused Democrats of one-sided impeachment proceedings against him. Republicans enjoy a majority in the 100-member Senate. As such Trump appears to be confident that impeachment would be defeated in the Senate. The White House has confirmed its defence team for the Senate trial.

435
Total strength of the US House of Representatives

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK