“This is a dark day and a cloud has fallen on this House,” a somber Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) said on the House floor Thursday morning.
He wasn’t talking about Halloween.
Collins was reacting to Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA) claim in this morning's debate that the new impeachment resolution they're voting on will grant President Trump more due process. Heck, McGovern said it will provide "better" protections than were afforded former Presidents Clinton and Nixon.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said more of the same, noting that the measure will give Trump the ability to attend hearings, submit evidence, etc.
"These rules are fair and strong," Raskin said.
Republicans rejected that narrative.
If it’s true this process is the same as prior impeachment processes, then the House "would have had a longer period of debate," Rep. Collins charged.
"We have been completely sidelined," he added. "This is a travesty. No one should vote for this."
Other Republican representatives had specific complaints about the basement politics the Democrats have been playing since beginning the impeachment inquiry. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), for instance, noted that members were only granted 24 hours to review the impeachment resolution and all 17 of the Republican-led amendments were rejected. Not to mention that Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff "has ignored" 72 bipartisan requests to review Ambassador Volker’s transcript during his closed door testimony. Committee records are property of the House, Burgess reminded his colleagues.
GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel added a few other points to upend the idea this is an open and transparent process.
Pelosi’s partisan sham resolution:
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) October 31, 2019
1. Schiff must grant permission to Rs to call a witness.
2. Schiff can instruct a witness not to answer questions.
3. Schiff decides what evidence Americans/Judiciary sees.
Oh, and @realDonaldTrump’s counsel cannot attend.
Are you kidding me?
The House is expected to vote on the impeachment resolution following debate.