House votes to formalize impeachment inquiry procedures
  • 4 years ago
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have taken a big step in their impeachment effort by approving rules for the next steps of inquiry into President Trump's alleged attempt to have a foreign government investigate his political rivals.
For more on this and other news around the world, let's turn to our Kim Da-mi.
Da-mi, this was the chamber's first formal vote in a fight that could stretch into election year.
Right Connyoung, Democrats secured enough votes on Thursday to pass legislation setting up next steps that will expedite the impeachment inquiry.
The vote was 232-196, with, not surprisingly, all Republicans voting against the resolution.
The passed rules lay out detailed impeachment process including switching closed-door interviews with witnesses to public hearings and ultimately possible votes on whether to recommend President Trump's removal from office.
As the first formal test of support for the impeachment probe, the 8-page long resolutions will allow Democrats push further into achieving their ultimate goal, President Trump's impeachment.
"And today we move further down the path in our inquiry by putting forth our procedures, which are very transparent and open and frankly more transparent, more open, giving more privileges to the president and his argument than we've given in the past."
President Trump fired back on Twitter, calling the efforts the "greatest witch hunt in American history".
It is expected to take weeks or even more before the House decides whether to actually vote on the impeachment.
If the House does vote for impeachment, the Republican Senate would hold a trial to decide on whether to remove President Trump from office.
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