Tuesday’s debate in the Senate about the impeachment trial rules lasted well into the night. The end only came after 13 hours of tedious back and forth between the two parties.
Here are the main takeaways from the first day of the impeachment trial:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s resolution on the rules has been approved. The Senate voted along party lines, as expected. The rules delay the question about whether the Senate should subpoena documents and witnesses until later in the trial.
The first draft of McConnell’s resolution gave both sides only 24 hours over two days’ time to make their opening arguments. Further, the House couldn’t admit evidence without a vote.
Democrats and even some Republicans were concerned about the draft. Democrats said these rules were a “cover-up” of Trump’s behavior.
Related: Impeachment Trial of President Trump Starts Today, What to Expect
Before Tuesday when the resolution was read aloud to the Senate, McConnell quietly added a last-minute rule change. Instead of having two days to make their 24 hours of argument, they will now have three days to do so.
It also states that evidence will be added automatically. That is, unless the President’s team presses a motion to throw out the evidence.
The White House defense team and the House managers both had time to present their arguments. Afterward, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered 11 amendments.
One of the amendments offered would have given Chief Justice John Roberts power over subpoenaing documents and witnesses, instead of letting the Senate take a vote.
Each of the 11 amendments were denied by mostly party line votes.
John Roberts told both the House impeachment managers and Trump’s legal team that they need to “remember where they are” after an especially feisty exchange that was very reminiscent of how things played out during the public impeachment hearings.
Related: Trump Facing Mental Health Crisis That Impairs Judgment
