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January 8, 2020

McConnell Says He Has Enough Votes to Open Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses
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On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell says he has
enough votes from Senate Republicans to begin President Trump's
impeachment trial without the support of Senate Democrats. Mc Connell is
pushing to open the trial with only an initial agreement to hear
arguments from the prosecution and defense - not a guarantee to hear
witnesses. Democratic lawmakers are demanding Mc Connell and Senate
Republicans agree to call witnesses in the Senate trial, because some
high-level witnesses called by the House during its impeachment process
refused to comply with the congressional subpoenas to testify, at the
direction of the White House. Former national security adviser John
Bolton now says he would comply with a subpoena to testify in the Senate
trial, if he is called to do so. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is
continuing to withhold the articles of impeachment in efforts to
pressure Senate Republicans to call witnesses, although there is
speculation Mc Connell could try to open the trial without the articles.


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