GOP Responds After Nancy Pelosi “Caves” On Sending Articles To The Senate: “Alexa, What Is The Definition Of Hypocrisy?”

[Image source: Misc. Fox News video screenshots. Swamp Drain compilation].

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) caved Friday and announced that she will move forward next week to send impeachment articles to the Senate, after delaying the process since last month and trying to make demands for a preferred trial.

On Monday, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a resolution that would give Pelosi a time limit to transmit the articles of impeachment. His resolution would update the Senate’s rules and allow dismissal of “partisan impeachment” against President Trump. Several senators, including Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), supported the resolution.

In a letter on Friday, Speaker Pelosi wrote in part: “I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the Floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate. I will be consulting with you at our Tuesday House Democratic Caucus meeting on how we proceed further.”

Senator Josh Hawley who presented the resolution tweeted on Friday: “Faced with our motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute her case, Pelosi caves.” Asked about Pelosi’s decision to move forward on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “About time.” 

Pelosi, on Thursday, called on McConnell to reveal the resolution that would set the terms for the trial before she would transmit the articles.

Pelosi and her allies seemingly wanted a commitment to call certain Democrat-sought witnesses, and at least learn more about McConnell’s plans. But McConnell wouldn’t budge, insisting that the Senate first launch the trial, and then resolve issues surrounding witnesses later, declaring that he would not haggle with Pelosi and accusing her Thursday of playing “irresponsible games,” reported Fox News. (Continued Below)

The Senate Majority Leader has repeatedly said the resolution to govern the impeachment trial in the Senate would mirror the one used for then-President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999 — setting a timeframe for the trial to begin, with the opportunity for lawmakers to determine how to proceed on potential witness testimony and additional documents later, after both the defense and the prosecution make their opening statements.

Senator McConnell said earlier this week he has the votes needed to pass the resolution and begin the trial, once he receives the articles. In impeachment, most resolutions can pass with a simple majority — 51 votes. To remove the president from office, though, there must be 67 votes.

He also tweeted on Wednesday: “There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure. We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment. The House Democrats’ turn is over. The Senate has made its decision. This is for the Senate, and the Senate only, to decide.” (Continued Below)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asks House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler to be ready to have impeachment managers named next week and send two articles of impeachment to the Senate:

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President Donald Trump declared on Friday that Pelosi “will down as perhaps the least successful Speaker in U.S. History!”

Republican lawmakers respond:

House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tweeted: “Alexa, what is the definition of hypocrisy?”

House Republican Whip, Steve Scalise (R-LA), wrote: “🚨 BREAKING → Pelosi lost. Again. She’s caving and sending her Articles of Impeachment to the Senate without getting a single one of her absurd demands because her own party got fed up with her games. What an embarrassment! This was a total waste of time. Dems aren’t serious.”

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Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in a statement:

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) wrote: “It’s about time @SpeakerPelosi put an end to this sham. Unlike House Dems, the Senate will proceed fairly and resolve this issue so we can turn back to what the American people actually care about: more jobs, higher pay, and better opportunities.”

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) tweeted: “Faced with our motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute her case, Pelosi caves”.

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Congressman Mark Meadows declared: “There is no way to spin it: Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat Caucus spent weeks playing games with what is effectively their attempt at overturning an American election. The display was appalling. It is deeply, fundamentally unserious. And It always has been.”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) responded: “Great news week for the President:-Eliminated Soleimani-New sanctions on Iran-140k more jobs this month-Dow clears 29,000-Court allows $3.6 billion for the Wall. No wonder Pelosi announced she’ll finally send the articles to the Senate.”

Rep. Jim Bank (R-IN) said: “@SpeakerPelosi folds and says she’s going to send McConnell the articles of impeachment. These articles don’t even allege that President Trump broke any law. Absolutely ridiculous.”

Kimberly Guilfoyle tweeted: “Hah! @SpeakerPelosi will not be remembered for anything but embarrassing herself and politically crippling her party during a presidential election year. The impeachment was a sham, Americans know it, & she’s responsible. She deserves nothing more than the boot in Nov. 👋🏻”

(Related: Mark Levin To Senate Republicans: “Declare The House Democrats’ Impeachment Null And Void NOW!”)