The House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass Democrats’ resolution that sets the “ground rules” for the impeachment inquiry” against President Trump and sets the stage for proceedings to be public hearings after weeks of closed-door depositions, which has been led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Adam Schiff (D-CA).
The measure passed 232-196. No Republicans voted for the measure, but two Democrats broke with their party and voted against the resolution: Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ). The House will now leave for a 12-day vacation.
The first formal floor vote in relation to the impeachment probe announced a month ago by Speaker Nancy Pelosi followed a fierce debate in the chamber, where Republicans accused Democrats of launching a de facto “coup” against the president in a “pre-ordained” bid to overturn the results of the 2016 election, as per Fox News.
The tension was already high on Capitol Hill and now, it is building as the impeachment process moves forward. Further, heated rhetoric marked the lead-up to the vote.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) accused Democrats Thursday of “soviet-style” impeachment proceedings, while Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) accused Democrats of being part of a cult, and suggested Adam Schiff is their leader. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) suggested the House Democrats are developing and shredding procedures every day.
[Fox News Video Screenshot]
President Trump responded on Twitter after the vote took place and wrote, “The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!”
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement the President has done nothing wrong. “With today’s vote, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats have done nothing more than enshrine unacceptable violations of due process into House rules,” she said. (Video Below)
Despite the Democrats’ fishing expedition, the White House released the transcript of the phone call last month between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. Read the transcript [Here].
President Trump’s official tweet:
The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2019
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s statement on the House floor Tuesday:
(Continued Below)
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also tweeted:
BREAKING ⇒ 100% of Republicans just voted AGAINST this sham impeachment. Two Democrats joined us.
Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Schiff have both insisted that impeachment should be bipartisan. The only bipartisan vote today was AGAINST impeachment.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) October 31, 2019
Democrats have written more subpoenas than they have laws. They are wasting taxpayer time and money. pic.twitter.com/Et8HuUnhSc
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) October 30, 2019
