Dems unveil impeachment procedures, GOP calls process unfair
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled legislation authorizing the next phase of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, as Democrats move to nullify complaints from Trump and his Republican allies that the impeachment process is illegitimate and unfair.
An eight-page resolution calls for open hearings and requires the House Intelligence Committee to submit a report outlining its findings and recommendations, with a final recommendation on impeachment left to the Judiciary Committee.
Republicans would be allowed to request subpoenas, but such requests would ultimately be subject to a vote by the full committee, which Democrats control as the House majority.
House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of Massachusetts said the resolution provides "a clear path forward" as the House begins a public phase of the impeachment inquiry, which up to this point has largely consisted of closed-door interviews.
"This is a sad time for our country," McGovern said. "None of us came to Congress to impeach a president, but each of us took a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution."
"The president's Republican allies in Congress have tried to hide the president's conduct, but the American people will now see the facts firsthand," he added.
The impeachment inquiry is looking into Trump's July 25 call in which he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a "favor" — to investigate a Democratic rival for president. Democrats say the request and other actions by the administration to push Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his family amounted to a quid pro quo for important military aid for Ukraine, providing sufficient grounds for impeachment.
The House is expected to vote on the resolution Thursday amid...