Democrats Finally Going on Record to Vote on Impeachment Inquiry

UPDATE: GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy responds, and President Trump retweets.

It’s been 34 days since Nancy Pelosi unilaterally declared her impeachment inquiry.

Today’s backtracking is an admission that this process has been botched from the start.

We will not legitimize the Schiff/Pelosi sham impeachment.

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) October 28, 2019

ORIGINAL POST

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has revealed that Democrats are moving forward on a vote on impeachment procedures against President Trump on Thursday.

"This week, we will bring a resolution to the Floor that affirms the ongoing, existing investigation that is currently being conducted by our committees as part of this impeachment inquiry, including all requests for documents, subpoenas for records and testimony, and any other investigative steps previously taken or to be taken as part of this investigation," Pelosi said in a statement on Monday.  

The resolution is expected to establish guidelines on open hearings, the disclosure of deposition transcripts, transfer of evidence to the Judiciary Committee, and due process rights for Trump.

Republicans have been hammering home that last part, especially after House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff barred lawmakers who weren't on three specific committees from sitting in on closed door testimony. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who sits on the House Judiciary, argued that he deserves to be allowed in to those meetings because it was his committee who launched the impeachment inquiry in the first place. He insisted that Trump should be afforded the same due process as former Presidents Clinton and Nixon.

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Trump has dismissed the impeachment inquiry because Democrats had yet to take a real vote on it. This week they'll go on record for the first time. Pelosi, meanwhile, suggested that this week's votes are necessary to secure the Trump administration's cooperation.

"We are taking this step to eliminate any doubt as to whether the Trump Administration may withhold documents, prevent witness testimony, disregard duly authorized subpoenas, or continue obstructing the House of Representatives."  

The resolution will be introduced by Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA) on Tuesday, and voted upon on Thursday.

Happy Halloween.