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End of Q&A "phase" and on to something rather peculiar. Famous last words (pdf, p 47) read by the Chief Justice.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUSPEND THE RULESIn accordance with rule V of the Standing Rules of the Senate, Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) hereby gives notice in writing of his intention to move to suspend the following portions of the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials during consideration of the question of whether it shall be in order to consider and debate under the impeachment rules any motion to subpoena witnesses or documents in connection with the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump: (1) The phrase "without debate" in Rule VII. (2) The following portion of Rule XX: ", unless the Senate shall direct the doors to be closed while deliberating upon its decisions. A motion to close the doors may be acted upon without objection, or, if objection is heard, the motion shall be voted on without debate by the yeas and nays, which be entered on the record". (3) In Rule XXIV, the phrases "without debate", "except when the doors shall be closed for deliberation, and in that case", and ", to be had without debate".
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. Chief Justice, the Senate will conduct another question and answer period today. We were able to get through nearly 100 questions yesterday. Senators posed constructive questions, and the parties were succinct and responsive. I would like to compliment all who participated yesterday. We will again break every 2 to 3 hours and look to take a break for dinner around 6:30.
Would it be permissible for a President to inform the Prime Minister of Israel that he was holding congressional appropriated military aid unless the Prime Minister promised to come to the United States and publicly charge his opponent with antisemitism in the midst of an election campaign?
What was the question?
How would the verdict in this trial alter the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in the future?
In the House Managers' opening statement, they argue that it is necessary to pursue impeachment because "The President's misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box. For we cannot be assured that the vote would be fairly won." How would acquitting the President prevent voters from making an informed decision in the 2020 presidential election?
Would you agree that almost any action a President takes, or indeed any action the vast majority of politicians take, is, to one degree or another, inherently political? Where is the line between permissible political actions and impeachable political actions?
In June 2019, Ellen Weintraub, then-chair of the Federal Election Commission, wrote in a statement that "It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a novel concept. Electoral intervention from foreign governments has been considered unacceptable since the beginnings of our nation." In a 2007 advisory opinion, the FEC found that campaign contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited in federal elections, even if "the value of these materials may be nominal or difficult to ascertain." How valuable would a public announcement of an investigation into the Bidens be for President Trump's reelection campaign?
Can you assure us that the Jennifer Williams document submitted to the House was not classified SECRET for any reasons prohibited by Executive Order 13526, such as preventing embarrassment to a person? If yes, please describe or identify the serious damage to national security that would be caused by declassifying this document, pursuant to the same Executive Order.
In his response to an earlier question this evening, Mr. Sekulow cited individuals like the Bidens as being "not irrelevant to our case." Are you opposed to having the Chief Justice make the initial determinations regarding the relevance of documents and witnesses, particularly as the Senate could disagree with the Chief Justice's ruling by a majority vote?
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