Democrats do not appear close to getting the 4 GOP votes needed for witnesses to appear in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Republicans say privately that they don’t believe it would benefit themselves politically to hear witnesses.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, walk to the Senate chamber for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, in Washington.
Yet there’s no indication the Democrats are moving closer to persuading four Republicans to break with their party in a critical vote expected next week — the minimum needed to reach a majority for subpoenas and extend a trial that seems on track for Trump’s acquittal. Most Republicans have solidified around the argument that the House should have sued for the witnesses who refused to testify in the House on Trump’s orders, rather than looked to the Senate to compel their testimony. Others have suggested that the case hasn’t been convincing enough.
“We’ve heard from a lot of impeachment witnesses,” Gardner said, referring to those who testified in the House. Those dynamics could certainly change in a fast-moving trial where evidence has continued to come out. Democrats are hoping for a dramatic moment similar to when the late Sen. John McCain unexpectedly voted in 2017 against legislation that would have led to repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care law, killing the bill.“This is not a trial over a speeding ticket or shoplifting,” Schiff told senators during arguments Friday.
Alexander is thought to be the the least certain of the four. “I think the question is, do we need more evidence? Do we need to hear witnesses? Do we need more documents?” Alexander said Friday. He said “that question can only be answered” after both the prosecution and the president’s defense finish their arguments, likely the middle of the next week.
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