Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), one of the moderate Democrats who had been on the fence about President Trump's impeachment, announced that she will vote to convict him on Wednesday.
"I vote to approve both articles, as my highest duty, and my greatest love, is to our nation’s Constitution," she said in a statement. “The facts are clear; security aid was withheld from Ukraine in an attempt to benefit the president’s political campaign. While White House attorneys claim this behavior is not serious, it is dangerous to the fundamental principles of American democracy to use the power of the federal government for personal or political gain.
“Worse, they failed to assure the American people that this behavior will not continue and that future national security decisions will be made free from personal interests.”
Her reveal comes about an hour after Republican Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) became the first GOP senator to announce he'd vote to convict.
Republicans had held out hope that Sinema would defect and vote with them to acquit because she has oftentimes boldly stood with Republicans. During Tuesday night's State of the Union, Sinema was one of few Democrats to stand and applaud Trump's remarks when he touted Sen. Tim Scott's (R-SC) work on opportunity zones.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) also just announced that he's voting to convict. On Tuesday he admitted he was "struggling" with the decision.
Manchin: I must vote yes on the articles of impeachment. I take no pleasure in these votes, and am saddened this is the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 5, 2020
The jurors will vote on the two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote that the Senate "will reject this incoherent case" and the partisan impeachment will finally come to a close.