WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday voted to approve the seven impeachment managers to prosecute the case against President Donald Trump, a long-awaited move that sends the action to the Senate and sets up the next phase of the impeachment fight.
The managers include both key players from the House’s impeachment inquiry as well as a couple of surprise picks: Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff of California, Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Zoe Lofgren of California, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas. Schiff, who led the House’s Ukraine investigation, will serve as lead impeachment manager.
The House passed the resolution shortly after the managers were revealed on Wednesday to formally appoint the managers, allocate funding for the trial and send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, where senators will decide whether the President should be removed from office.
The vote was approved mostly along party lines 228-193.
“As you can see from these descriptions, the emphasis is on litigators,” Pelosi said in explaining how she chose the managers. “The emphasis is on the comfort level in the courtroom. The emphasis is on making the strongest possible case to protect and defend our Constitution to seek the truth for the American people.”
Wednesday’s vote will kick off the ceremonial beginning of the Senate impeachment trial. Later Wednesday, the House will notify the Senate of the impeachment articles. On Thursday, House managers are expected to physically walk the articles to the Senate and read them aloud, according to a Republican leadership aide. The senators and Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, will also be sworn in, and the President will be officially summoned and given a time to respond to the charges.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the substance of the trial is likely to get underway on Tuesday, January 21.
(Photo by Marek Slusarczyk/Getty.)
