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[Pages S7225-S7226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IMPEACHMENT
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for the information of all of our
colleagues, earlier this afternoon, my friend the Democratic leader and
I had a cordial conversation. We discussed a potential path forward
following the House Democrats' precedent-breaking impeachment of
President Trump. Our conversation was cordial, but my friend from New
York continues to insist on departing from the unanimous bipartisan
precedent that 100 Senators approved before the beginning of President
Clinton's trial.
Back in 1999, Senators recognized that there might well be
disagreements about questions that would arise at the middle and end of
the trial, such as witnesses. Here is what happened: All 100 Senators
endorsed a commonsense solution. We divided the process into two
stages. The first resolution passed unanimously before the trial began.
It laid the groundwork, such as scheduling and structured early steps
like opening arguments. Mid-trial questions such as witnesses were left
until the middle of the trial when Senators could make a more informed
judgment about that more contentious issue. All 100 Senators, including
me, including Mr. Schumer, and a number of our colleagues on both sides
who were here in 1999 endorsed the first resolution as a bipartisan,
minimalist first step.
As of today, however, we remain at an impasse because my friend the
Democratic leader continues to demand a new and different set of rules
for President Trump. He wants to break from that unanimous bipartisan
precedent and force an all-or-nothing approach. My colleague wants a
special pretrial guarantee of certain witnesses whom the House
Democrats themselves
[[Page S7226]]
did not bother to pursue as they assembled their case, or he wants to
proceed without giving any organizational resolution whatsoever. As I
said, we remain at an impasse on these logistics.
For myself, I continue to believe that the unanimous bipartisan
precedent that was good enough for President Clinton ought to be good
enough for President Trump. Fair is fair.
Now, of course, there is the matter of the Articles of Impeachment
themselves. It is a highly unusual step. The House continues to hem and
haw about whether and when she intends to take the normal next step and
transmit the House's accusations over here to the Senate. Some House
Democrats imply they are withholding the articles for some kind of
leverage so they can dictate the Senate process to Senators.
I admit, I am not sure what leverage there is in refraining from
sending us something we do not want; but, alas, if they can figure that
out, they can explain it. Meanwhile, other House Democrats seem to be
suggesting they prefer never to transmit the articles. That is fine
with me, and the Speaker of the House herself has been unclear on this.
Her message has been somewhat muddled.
So here is where we are, Mr. President. We have a curious situation
where, following House Democrats' rush to impeachment, following weeks
of pronouncement about the urgency of the situation, the prosecutors
appear to have developed cold feet. The House Democrat prosecution
seems to have gotten cold feet and to be unsure of whether they even
want to proceed to the trial.
As I said, a very unusual spectacle and, in my view, certainly not
one that reflects well on the House. So we will see whether House
Democrats ever want to work up the courage to actually take their
accusations to trial.
Let me close with this: I am proud that the Senate came together
today to confirm more well-qualified nominees and to pass major
legislation for the American people.
I wish all of my colleagues a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a
joyous new year. I hope everyone enjoys this important time with their
families and loved ones. We will see you in 2020.
____________________
