>> GOOD MORNING.

JUDY WOODRUFF IS IN LOS ANGELES PREPARING FOR THE PBS NEWSHOUR POLITICO DEBATE TOMORROW NIGHT.

IN 230 YEARS SINCE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEGAN ITS WORK, ONLY TWICE HAS IT LAUNCHED THE DEBATE WE WILL WITNESS TODAY.

DEMOCRATS WILL BRING TO THE FULL HOUSE TWO ARTICLES OF IMEDGE POOMENT AGAINST -- IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE FIRST ARTICLE PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY BY IGNORING AND INJURING NATIONAL SECURITY AND OTHER VITAL INTERESTS TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER POLITICAL BENEFIT.

HE HAS ALSO BETRAYED THE NATION BY ABUSING HIS HIGH OFFICE TO ENLIST A FOREIGN POWER IN CORRUPTING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS.

ARTICLE NUMBER 2 IS ON OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

"DONALD J. TRUMP HAS THE UNPRECEDENTED CATEGORICAL AND INDISCRIMINATE THE DEFIANCE OF SUBPOENAS, THIS ABUSE OF OFFICE SERVED TO COVER UP THE PRESIDENT'S OWN REPEATED MISCONDUCT.

THIS IS IMPEACHMENT'S THIRD STEP.

THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESSURED UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL RIVAL JOE BIDEN IN THE 2016 ELECTION AND THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED ALONG PARTY LINES TO DELIVER THESE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

YESTERDAY PRESIDENT TRUMP RELEASED A SIX-PAGE LETTER SLAMMING THE ENTIRE PROCESS, "I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL PROTEST AGAINST THE PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT CRUSADE," HE CALLED IT A DISINGENUOUS, METROLESS AND BASELESS INVENTION OF DEMOCRATS' IMAGINATION.

I'M JOINED TODAY BY LISA DESJARDINS AT THE CAPITOL WHO HAS BEEN WITH US THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS, AND WITH ME HERE AT THE TABLE, BOB COSTA, MODERATOR OF "NATIONAL WEEK," POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR "THE WASHINGTON POST."

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM AT THIRD WAY, A WASHINGTON THINK TANK AND SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF DIRECTOR AND MICHAEL ALLEN DIRECTOR AT THE ADVISORY FIRM AND COMMITTEE STAFF DIRECTOR UNDER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

LIT ME START WITH LISA DESJARDINS WHO'S BEEN WITH US THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE TIME.

LISA, WALK US THROUGH TODAY.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT?

>> HERE'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN, NICK.

AS SOON AS THE HOUSE COMES INTO SESSION, THERE IS AN ORDER OF EVENTS.

LET'S LOOK AT HOW IT WILL WORK.

THE FIRST, THE NORMAL OPENING TO A SESSION OF THE HOUSE.

THAT INCLUDES THE PRAYER AND ALSO PLEDGE OF LEACHANCE.

AFTER THAT, THE HOUSE WILL MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO DEBATE ON THE RULE.

THAT SETS UP THE PROCEDURE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.

THAT RULE DEBATE WILL LAST ABOUT AN HOUR, MAYBE A LITTLE LONGER.

THEN THE HOUSE WILL VOTE ON THE RULE BASICALLY DECIDING THE PROCEDURE FOR THE AFTERNOON DEBATE.

AFTER THAT RULE PASSES, AS IT'S EXPECTED TO DO, THEN WE WILL SEE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE BEGIN IN EARNEST NAP WILL BE SIX HOURS OF DEBATE.

THAT'S A COMPROMISE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS WHO WANTED EIGHT HOURS AND DEMOCRATS WHO -- SOME OF WHOM WANTED FOUR.

SIX HOURS OF IMPEACHMENT DEBATE.

THEN AFTER THAT WE EXPECT THE VOTES.

AS YOU SAY, THAT WILL BE TWO DIFFERENT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THOSE WILL ALSO BE SPLIT.

SO THERE WILL BE TWO SEPARATE VOTES, ONE ON EACH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT SOMETIME AROUND EVENING ON THE EAST COAST IS WHEN WE EXPECT THOSE VOTES.

OF COURSE, MANY THINGS CAN HAPPEN, NICK.

REPUBLICANS DO HAVE A FEW PROCEDURAL OPTIONS TO SLOW DOWN DEBATE IF THEY CHOOSE.

BUT YOU KNOW, WALKING IN THIS MORNING, I RAN INTO REPUBLICAN TOM COLE.

HE'S THE LEAD REPUBLICAN ON THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

HE WAS GOING TO THE FLOOR GETTING RED OOH TO START THE DEBATE AND HE DIDN'T SEEM TO THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE A GREAT DEAL OF SORT OF PARLIAMENTARY GYMNASTICS TODAY.

HE SEEMED TO INDICATE HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIVE DEBATE.

I THINK WE WILL SEE, PERHAPS, A FEW OBJECTIONS RAISED BY REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCESS.

BUT I THINK WE CAN EXPECT THIS DEBATE TO GO MORE OR LESS AS PLANNED, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT.

>> AS MUCH AS CAN BE PLANNED ON ONE OF THE MOST RARE EVENTS IN U.S. HISTORY ON THE HOUSE.

BOB COSTA, TAKE US THROUGH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT LISA JUST SAID.

HOW MANY OBJECTIONS ARE WE EXPECTING TO BE LAUNCHED?

WHAT'S THE MOTIVATION GIVEN THAT THE VOTE PROBABLY IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION?

>> BASED ON MY REPORTING AT THE CAPITOL, THE VOTE IS ESSENTIALLY BAIT AT THIS POINT.

THERE WILL BE SCATTERED DEMOCRATIC DEFECTIONS.

MOST REPUBLICANS WILL BE IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHAT TODAY IS ABOUT IS NOT WHIPPING THE VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE LEADERS SCRAMMING TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR VOLITION.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE CLOSING ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, UNDERSCORING GRIEVANCE POLITICS, BELIEVING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S A VICTIM IN THIS ENTIRE PROCESS, AND THEN DEMOCRATS REITERATING THE CASE THEY'VE BEEN MAKING ALL ALONG THAT THIS IS A SOLEMN ENDEAVOR, THAT THEY'RE DOING THEIR DUTY BY IMPEACHING PRESIDENT TRUMP AND TAKE IT OUT OF THE PARTISANSHIP IN WHICH REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO DEFINE IT.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO INTO THAT.

IN 230 YEARS, THE HOUSE HAS ONLY PEAMENT 15 JUDGES, 2 PRESIDENTS, 1 CABINET OFFICIAL.

HOW ARE DEMOCRATS FEELING ON DAY LIKE TODAY WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD BE THE THIRD PRESIDENT ONLY IN HISTORY TO BE IMPEACHED?

>> I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THIS MOMENT.

THEY'RE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A RARE, A HISTORIC REM DITHAT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

SO YOU'LL HEAR A LOT OF CALLING BACK TO CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES, WHAT THE FOUNDERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT.

YOU'LL HEAR A VERY HIGH TONE FROM THE DEMOCRATS, VERY SOMBER REALLY CONVEYING THAT WEIGHT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT REPUBLICANS, MICHAEL?

WILL THERE BE A SENSE OF THAT SOLEMNNESS AS WELL ON THAT SIDE ON DO THEY BELIEVE WHAT THEY'VE BEEN SAYING BASICALLY THIS IS A PARTISAN WITCH HUNT BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT SINCE DAY ONE?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE LESS SOLEMN THAN DEMOCRATS WILL BE.

REPUBLICANS, I THINK, WILL ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT WE CALL THE HOUSE, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

E USED TO TALK ABOUT THE SENATE COOLING THE PASSIONS OF THOSE FROM THE MAJORITARIAN FIRST BODY OF CONGRESS.

TODAY I THINK YOU'LL SEE THOSE PASSIONS AND EMOTIONS ON DISPLAY.

THE PRESIDENT SET THE TONE YESTERDAY WITH THIS REMARKABLE LETTER AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS TRYING TO OUTDO HIM, FRANKLY.

>> LISA DESJARDINS, THIS STARTED A COUPLE MINUTES AGO.

LET'S GO BACK TO YOU.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN OUR FIRST MOTION TO ADJOURN OF THE MORNING.

TELL US WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS BASICALLY CALLING ALL THE MEMBERS TO THE FLOOR AS WE PREDICTED, REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO TRY TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO THIS PROCESS.

THIS IS ONE WAY ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO SAY WE DO NOT WANT TO VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT.

WE DO NOT THINK IT IS TIME TO DEBATE IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

SO REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE WANT TO ADJOURN IMMEDIATELY RATHER THAN DEBATE IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

THE QUESTION WILL BE IF WE SEE MANY MORAL OF THESE MOTIONS TO ADJOURN.

THIS GETS A LITTLE WEEDY, BUT IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND YOU CAN NOT PUT OUT A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT ANY TIME DURING THE DAY.

REPUBLICANS WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS EVERY FIVE MINUTES.

YOU CAN ONLY DO IT AT CERTAIN POINTS IN THE DEBATE, ESSENTIALLY WHEN YOU'RE BETWEEN MOTIONS.

NOW BEFORE THE RULES DEBATE HAS STARTED IN ERNEST AND THEN ESSENTIALLY AFTER THE RULES DEBATE.

THOSE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REPUBLICANS TO USE PROCEDURES LIKE THIS TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS.

THIS IS THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY AND THEY'RE TAKING IT.

THIS IS ALSO WE WILL SEE SORT OF ALL OF THE MEMBERS COME TO THE FLOOR.

I SUSPECT WE WILL SEE MANY OF THEM SITTING IN THEIR SEATS FOR THE OPENING OF DEBATE WHICH WE SHOULD EXPECT AFTER THIS VOTE IN ABOUT TEN OR 15 MINUTES OR SO.

THAT WILL BE TECHNICALLY THE RULES DEBATE AS WE'VE DESCRIBED.

BUT REALLY, NICK, WHEN THEY'RE DEBATING THE RULE, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THEM TALK DIRECTLY ABOUT IMPEACHMENT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET EXCEPT PERHAPS REPUBLICANS WHO DON'T LIKE THE PROCESS THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET TOO MUCH INTO PROCESS.

THIS WILL BE A VERY SIMILAR DEBATE TO THE REST OF THE DAY.

IT WILL ALL BE ABOUT IMPEACHMENT.

>> BOB COSTA, YOU MENTIONED THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR VERY MUCH REPUBLICAN CRITICISM, BUT WE WILL HEAR A FEW DEMOCRATS WHO ARE QUESTIONING THIS PROCESS.

TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF THE 31 DEMOCRATS WHO WERE ELECTED IN DISTRICTS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WON AND A COUPLE WHO HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY'RE NOT ON SIDE WITH THE DEMOCRATICS LEADERSHIP.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW DEFECTIONS.

CONGRESSMAN VAN DREW HAS DECIDED TO SWITCH PARTIES.

COLLIN PETERSON IN MINNESOTA, A MODERATE DEMOCRAT, AGAINST THIS ENTIRE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

BUT MANY DEMOCRATS WHO REPRESENT DISTRICTS WON BY PRESIDENT TRUMP LIKE CONGRESSWOMAN SLOTKIN OF MICHIGAN, A FRESHMAN DEMOCRAT, SHE HAS DECIDED ON PRINCIPLE TO VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT.

JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON LISA'S REPORTING FROM THE CAPITOL, GREAT REPORTING THERE, WHAT A PUNCH, A POLITICALLY SPEAKING FOR REPUBLICANS TO BEGIN THIS MORNING WITH A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

YOU SEE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LETTER YESTERDAY AND THIS ACTION ALREADY, THE FLURRY OF ACTIVITY IN THE EARLY HOURS OF IMPEACHMENT DEBATE, REPUBLICANS SAYING THIS IS OUR 2020 ARGUMENT.

THIS IS THE CAMPAIGN UNFOLDING BEFORE US ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IT'S NOT JUST THE HOUSE DEBATE CONTAINED IN THAT SCENE.

IT'S ABOUT ALL THE POLITICS THAT WILL UNSPOOL FROM HERE, A FIGHT MENTALITY WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> WELL, WE'VE SEEN THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

RIGHT?

I MEAN DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING, LEAVING WASHINGTON HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HEALTH-CARE, HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OTHER TOPICS THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON ON THE HOUSE.

REPUBLICANS, HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN BRINGING UP IMPEACHMENT.

THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN PAINT DEMOCRATS IN A PARTISAN LIGHT.

>> AND INSTEAD OF RETREATING TO THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOING TO MICHIGAN FOR A CAMPAIGN RALLY TO STOKE HIS OWN CORE VOTERS, TO GET THEM TO THE BARRICADES POLITICALLY, TO FIGHT FOR HIM, TO SHARE HIS ENTHUSIASM ABOUT HOW HE FEELS WRONGED IN THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.

>> AND WE'LL SEE THAT SPEECH PRETTY MUCH AS THE VOTE MAY ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

SO CLEARLY TIME FOR THAT.

MIKA AND MICHAEL, LET'S COME TO YOU, AND ETWILL JUST TALK BRIEF -- LET'S JUST TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MAN HERE.

REMINDER, CIVICS LESSON, THE HOUSE ONLY HAS TO VOTE BY A MAJORITY IN ORDER TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

THE MAGIC NUMBER TODAY IS 216, NOT 218, BECAUSE WE HAVE FOUR MISSING HOUSE MEMBERS.

SO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF THOSE NUMBERS, AND COULD THERE BE ANY DIFFERENT NUMBERS IN TERMS OF THE VOTES FOR EACH ARTICLE?

REMEMBER, THERE ARE TWO ARTICLES AND TWO VOTES.

>> SO WE HAVE FOUR MISSING HOUSE MEMBERS, AND IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RESIGNATION OF CONGRESSWOMAN KATIE HILL, THE DEATH OF ELIJAH CUMMINGS AND THE RESIGNATION OF CHRIS COLLINS, ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S EARLY SUPPORTERS WHO RESIGNED UNDER A LEGAL CLOUD FACING CRIMINAL ACTION THERE.

>> AND THE FOURTH ONE IS DEAN DUFFEY.

>> SEAN DUFFEY.

, SORRY.

USED TO BE ON THE "REAL WORLD" FOR THOSE WHO WATCH MTV, HAS LEFT TO BE A MEDIA CELEBRITY.

CHANGES THE MATH A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I EXPECT THAT THIS WILL BE A VERY STRONG PARTY LINE VOTE.

THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO DEMOCRATS WHO DEFECT, BUT WHAT THE RESIGNATION OF JEFF VAN DREW OR THE PARTY SWITCH OF JEFF VAN DREW SHOWS YOU WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT SITUATION IS THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO CROSS YOUR PARTY'S POSITION ON THIS ONE, YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR PARTY IN THE NOMINATION PROCESS.

SO I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THIS ACTION THAT HE HAS TAKEN IS SHORING UP A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS IN VULNERABLE SEATS BECAUSE TO BREAK ON THIS IS TO LOSE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR PARTY AND THE BASE AT A TIME WHEN YOU REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO.

>> AND MICHAEL, HOW DO REPUBLICANS SEE THAT NOTION, THE LEVEL OF CONNECTION TO THE PARTY AND THE ABILITY TO CAMPAIGN ON THIS TOPIC OF IMPEACHMENT EVEN ON THIS DAY?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, AS YOU'VE SEEN IN SOME OF THE POLLING, THERE IS -- IT'S PRETTY MUCH SPLIT ALONG THE LINES OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S APPROVAL RATINGS, AND SO THERE HASN'T BEEN A GREAT INCENTIVE FOR REPUBLICANS TO BREAK RANKS.

IN FACT, IT'S A GREAT -- TREMENDOUS DISINCENTIVE TO BREAK RANKS BECAUSE THEN YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY DRAW A PRIMARY OPPONENT IN THE SPRING OR THE SUMMER VERSE OURS IN THE FALL WHEN YOU'RE UP FOR GENERAL ELECTION AND YOU CAN TAKE YOUR CHANCES IN A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT WAS VOTED IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THERE'S A TREMENDOUS INCENTIVE IN THE HOUSE TO STICK WITH YOUR PARTY.

I'M SORRY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, RELATED TO THAT WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THE IDEA OF STICKING WITH THE PRESIDENT FOR REPUBLICANS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE WHEN THEY GET TO THAT GENERAL ELECTION THAT MICHAEL'S TALKING ABOUT.

AND UNFORTUNATE OOH STHEEN IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS WHERE THE PRESIDENT AND THE REPUBLICANS RAN THIS VERY COMBATIVE TONE ON THE NOMINATION OF JUSTICE KAVANAUGH.

AND THEN SAW TREMENDOUS DEFEATS IN THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND YOU'VE SEEN THOSE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE TRIED TO STICK WITH THE PRESIDENT IN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS EITHER LOSE OR COME VERY CLOSE TO LOSING IN STATES WHERE THEY SHOULD NOT AND WOULD NORMALLY NOT.

MENT.

>> LISA, LET BRING UP A GRAPHIC THAT WE HAVE OF A RECENT POLL, PBS NEWSHOUR, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN HERE AT THE TABLE FOR THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS DISCUSSING A LOT OF COVERAGE AND YET DESPITE THAT, THE SUPPORT FOR IMPEACHMENT TODAY, 47%, NOVEMBER, BEFORE ANY OF THESE HEARINGS BEGAN, 47%.

THE OPPOSITION, 48%.

TODAY, 46%.

BEFORE STATISTICALLY UNCHANGED.

AND ALSO, A DIVIDED COUNTRY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE WERE SOME 70 HOURS OF HEARINGS THAT WE COVERED AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WITNESS TESTIMONY, ALMOST 4,000 PAGES OF WITNESS TESTIMONY, INCLUDING THE BEHIND-CLOSED DOORS TESTIMONY.

SO THAT HAS BEEN A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO SEE PROT PROCESSED.

THROUGHOUT ALL OF THAT, REALLY OPINION ON IMPEACHMENT ACCORDING TO THESE POLLS HAS NOT CHANGE THE AT ALL.

BUT I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE OBVIOUSLYING ON ONE LEVEL IS WHETHER THE PRESIDENT SHOULD STAY IN OFFICE.

THEY WANT TO PROCEED WITH THE IDEA OF PERHAPS REMOVING HIM FROM OFFICE.

THE MOST SERIOUS ONE, THE MOST SERIOUS THINGS THAT CONGRESS CAN DO.

BUT ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL, NICK, WATCHING THESE HEARINGS, LOOKING AT THIS TESTIMONY, REALLY WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE IS THAT LARGER DIVIDES IN AMERICA PLAY OUT.

WE HEARD REPUBLICANS AGAIN AND AGAIN ARGUE THIS THEY THINK DEMOCRATS DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR VOTERS AND THEY SPECIFICALLY SAID DEMOCRATS DON'T UNDERSTAND RURAL VOTERS.

SO YOU SEE THIS DIVIDE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN FROM THE DEMOCRATIC -- FROM THE REPUBLICAN PERSPECTIVE.

DEMOCRATS WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY, THEY'VE BEEN TALKING OFTEN ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRANT HERITAGE, ABOUT AMERICA AS AN INCLUSIVE PLACE.

SO THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IN TERMS OF AMERICAN POLICY RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THIS PRESIDENT.

BUT IN MANY WAYS, IT'S ABOUT WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY?

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

AND YOU CAN SEE THIS CONGRESS AND THIS COUNTRY SEEM TO BE VERY DIVIDED ON THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> THOSE FUNDAMENTAL DIVISIONS AND IDENTITIES THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, LISA, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THAT'S BEEN PLAYING OUT ON THE HILL THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS TODAY?

DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT?

HOW DOES -- HOW HAVE THE LAST FEW DAYS AND WEEKS COMPARE TO KIND OF NORMAL BUSINESS UP ON THE HILL?

>> THE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE BEEN STRIKINGLY DIFFERENT.

I'D BE INTERESTED TO HEAR WHAT BOB'S BEEN PICKING UP WHEN HE'S BEEN UP HERE.

BUT TO ME, THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAVE SORT OF BEEN AN ADRENALINE RUSH FOR EVERYONE.

IT'S SORT OF BEEN A HIGH COMBAT ZONE AS BOTH SIDES KNOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS, WHAT THEY'RE PURSUING BUT HAVE KIND OF BEEN VERY STRATEGIC AND VERY AGGRESSIVE IN CHALLENGING ONE ANOTHER.

THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

TO ME, YESTERDAY, IT FELT DIFFERENT, THOUGH.

IT FELT MORE SERIOUS, MORE SOLEMN.

PART OF THAT IS THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE A SEPARATE INTERNAL DIVIDE OVER THE SPENDING BILL THAT I THINK WAS SORT OF CHANGING THEIR MOOD, MAKING THINGS A LITTLE MORE KIND OF GLUM FOR THEM.

BUT TODAY, ACTUALLY, NICK, I CAME IN -- THIS IS THE MOST QUIET I'VE SEEN THE CAPITOL IN A WHILE.

I -- IT'S TYPICAL BEFORE THE HOUSE CONVENES FOR IT TO BE QUIET.

SO IN A WAY, IT'S A TYPICAL MORNING, BUT I DON'T FEEL THAT SENSE OF ADRENALINE.

I DON'T FEEL THAT SENSE OF SORT OF, I GUESS, BALLYHOO TO USE A VERY OLD WORD, THAT I FELT IN PAST DAYS.

IT DOES FEEL SERIOUS, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THE TONE IS GOING TO CHANGEZ AT DEBATE TAKES OFF.

RIGHT NOW IS SORT OF THE BREATH, THE DEEP BREATH BEFORE WE ENTER A HISTORIC DAY AND, OBVIOUSLY, A VERY SERIOUS ONE.

>> BOB, DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT REPRESENTATIVES UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS AND THIS WILL BE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT THAN, AS LISA JUST PUT IT, THE HIGH COMBAT ZONE OF THE HOUSE FROM THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS?

>> IT'S A VERY SERIOUS HISTORIC MOMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S STRIKING HOW THE BUSINESS OF POLITICS HAS CONTINUED AMID A VERY VIGOROUS IMPEACHMENT DEBATE.

JUST THIS WEEK, AS LISA REFERENCED, YOU HAD HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FOR THE MOST PART UNITE BEHIND A $1.4 TRILLION SPENDING DEAL THAT WOULD AVERT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON DECEMBER 20th, IS AND THAT HAS MANY -- MANY PROVISIONS IN IT CHAMPIONED BY BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

THAT'S HEADED TOWARD A SENATE VOTE LATER THIS WEEK.

EXPECTED TO PASS THE SENATE.

THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE HAS BACKED THE LEGISLATION.

SO HAS MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL.

YOU HAVE THE U.S. MCA, THE REVISED NORTH AMERICAN TRADE AGREEMENT, MOVING FORWARD ON CAPITOL HILL.

SO IMPEACHMENT IS DOMINANT BUT NOT DOMINATING THE ENTIRE POLITICAL SCENE IN WASHINGTON.

MOSTLY BECAUSE OF WHAT THE POLLING REVEALS.

THE COUNTRY IS SO DIVIDED THAT THE PARTIES ARE RETREATING TO THEIR OWN CAMPS AHEAD OF A 2020 CAMPAIGN THAT WILL BE BRUTAL AND BECAUSE THE ELECTION IS LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY MANY POLITICIANS ARE NOT TRYING TO WAIVER OR BE ON THE FENCE.

THEY'RE DIGGING IN AND SAYING LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, CALL THE PRESIDENT TO TASK BUT THEN TURN RIGHT BACK TO 2020, IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE ON THE HORIZON, AS JUDY AND EVERYONE KNOWS PREPARING OUT IN CALIFORNIA FOR THAT DEBATE, THERE WILL BE A SENATE TRIAL IN JANUARY BUT THEN FROM THEN ON IT'S CAMPAIGN 2020.

>> BEFORE WE GET TO THE SENATE TRIAL, MIEKE, WE HAVE SEEN AS BOB WAS DESCRIBING DEALS ON THE SPENDING BILL.

DEALS ON U.S.-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT ALL WITHIN THE SAME FEW DAYS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ARE SENT TO THE HOUSE.

DO DEMOCRATS BELIEVE OR FEEL AS FAR AS YOU UNDERSTAND IT THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO ALL OF THIS BIPARTISAN WORK AT THE SAME TIME THEY DID THE VERY PARTISAN WORK OF IMPEACHMENT?

>> WELL, AS YOU GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, THE SPENDING BILLS, THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILLS, THOSE NATURALLY GET CONCLUDED AT THIS TIME BECAUSE IT'S THE PRESSURE OF ADJOURNMENT THAT MAKES MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT TO GET TO THOSE DEALS BUT I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR NANCY PELOSI AND FOR THOSE DEMOCRATS IN SWING DISTRICTS TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE ARE DOING MORE THAN JUST IMPEACHMENT.

WE ARE MAKING DEALS WITH THE PRESIDENT WHERE WE CAN AGREE WITH HIM AND WE ARE MOVING THE NATION'S BUSINESS FORWARD AND, LOOK, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THESE SPENDING BILLS AND THE DEFENSE BILL, THE DEMOCRATS HAD TO SWALLOW SOME VERY HARD PROVISIONS ANDIC MA SOME REALLY HARD COMPROMISES TO GET TO THIS MOMENT IN WAYS THAT ARE, AS LISA SAID, FRACTURING THEIR CAUCUS AND WILL HAVE SOME LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS.

>> MICHAEL, DO YOU BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATS SWALLOWED A FEW OF THESE PROVISIONS?

>> WELL, AS EVERYONE HAS SAID, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY IN THESE 1,000, 2,000-PAGE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

THAT'S THE WAY YOU GOT TO GET THESE THINGS MOVING.

THAT'S THE WAY YOU GREASE THE SKIDS TO GET THINGS MOVING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND IN THE SENATE.

THAT'S GENERALLY THE WAY IT GOES.

BUT BACK TO YOUR POINT ON IMPEACHMENT, YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY'VE SORT OF SANDWICHED IT IN THE MIDDLE OF VARIETY OF OTHER VOTES.

I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ASSESSMENT OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS, WHICH IS THEY MAY FEEL AS A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE OR AS A MATTER OF BASE POLITICS THAT THEY'VE GOT TO DO THE IMPEACHMENT HERE ON THE FACTS AS THEY EXIST BUT THEY'RE IN A RUSH TO GET IT OUT OF THE WAY.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT AND -- I'M SORRY.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT AND SUBPOENA A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT HAVE BOLSTERED THEIR OWN CASE, JOHN BOLTON, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER.

MIKE POMPEO, ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY, I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE GOT A LEGITIMATE ISSUE HERE, WHICH IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE REALLY RUSHING THIS THROUGH TO MEET YOUR OWN INTERNAL TIMETABLE BECAUSE YOU DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES IN 2020.

AND NOT IMPEACHMENT.

BUT THAT IS PART OF THE EQUATION HERE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> BOB COSTA, BACK TO THE SUBSTANCE OF TODAY, YOU WERE JUST NODDING.

IS THAT ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE.

HEY, PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS GOING TO THE COURTS TO TRY AND LITIGATE THIS.

WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST WAIT FOR IT?

AND YOU KNOW, HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES, THAT'S THE ACTUAL PROPER WAY TO DO IMPEACHMENT, SO TO SPEAK.

>> ABUSE OF POWER IS THE CENTRAL ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.

IT'S THE CULMINATION OF FRUSTRATIONS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ABOUT SO MANY KEY WITNESSES WHO BASED ON OUR REPORTING HAVE LIKELY WITNESSED PRESIDENT TRUMP AND TOP ALLIES CONDUCT DISCUSSIONS ON UKRAINE.

THEY'VE REFUSED TO COME TESTIFY ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> LISA DESJARDINS, SAME QUESTION TO YOU, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT, CRITICISM OF DEMOCRATS AND ALSO REMIND US SOME OF THE MAIN ARGUMENTS THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE MAKING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

DEMOCRATS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE MADE THEIR CASE AND AT THE CORE OF THEIR CASE OF ABUSE OF POWER IS THE PHONE CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN JULY.

DEMOCRATS FEEL THAT THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS "CAN YOU DO ME A FAVOR, THOUGH" ARE ESSENTIALLY QUID PRO QUO WHERE HE'S TRYING TO LEVERAGE HIS ABILITY TO DO THINGS, $391 MILLION IN MILITARY AID THAT UKRAINE DESPERATELY NEEDED, AND A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH -- WHICH UKRAINE GREATLY WANTED FOR THEIR NEW PRESIDENT.

DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN THAT CALL WHEN HE SAYS, DO ME A FAVOR, THOUGH, HE'S SAYING, YOU CANNOT GET THOSE THINGS UNLESS I GET THIS FAVOR WHICH IS INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING THE 2016 ELECTIONS AND THEN ALSO FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS SON HUNTER BIDEN WHO, OF COURSE, WAS ON THAT BORD OF BURIESMA IN KOREAN.

THAT'S IN UKRAINE.

FROM THAT THEY BUTTRESS IS WITH WITNESS TESTIMONY WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF A FLURRY OF AIDS WHO HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THIS CALL, WHO DID NOT KNOW WHY THAT UKRAINIAN AID WAS BEING FROZEN.

TO THIS DAY, IT'S WORTH REMEMBERING THAT WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY THAT AIDE WAS FROZEN.

THE WHITE HOUSE HAS NOT GIVEN A SINGLE ANSWER FOR WHY.

THEY'VE GIVEN DIFFERENT SORT OF IDEAS AS TO WHY THAT AID MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROZEN USUALLY SENTERING AROUND THE PRESIDENT'S CONCERN ON CRUPG.

-- CORRUPTION.

THAT IS THE CORE OF THE CASE TO DEMOCRATS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS USING HIS POWER TO TRY AND SORT OF IN A WAY POTENTIALLY HARM OR AT LEAST KIND OF LEVERAGE WITH AN ALLY SOMETHING THAT HE WANTED FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

FOR REPUBLICANS, THEY SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT THESE THINGS DON'T SMELL GOOD, JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK THIS IS NOT COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF HAD THIS ILL INTENT.

THEY SAY IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THE PRESIDENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CORRUPTION OVER ALL.

THE REPUBLICANS' CASE ESSENTIALLY IS THAT DEMOCRATS MAY HAVE A LOT OF DOTS ON THEIR PAGE BUT THEY HAVE NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED THOSE DOTS.

AND THEIR GOING TO SEE THOSE PLAY OUT TODAY.

AND YOU'LL HEAR MORE FROM REPUBLICANS WHAT WE JUST HEARD TODAY IN THE STUDIO IS THAT THEY THINK THIS IS A RUSHED PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS' CASE ABOUT THAT IS THAT, THIS REALLY IS SIMILAR TO THE TIMELINE FOR THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT WHEN YOU LOOK FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE INQUIRY TO THE HOUSE VOTE.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE VERY MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS AND THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT, ONE BEING THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON DID PARTICIPATE IN THE HOUSE PROCESS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CHOSEN NOT TO.

ONE THING I DO WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE VOTE TO ADJOURN RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE STRAIGHT DOWN PARTISAN LINES WITH THE ONE INDEPENDENT.

I BELIEVE THAT'S GOT TO BY JUSTIN AMASH VOTING WITH THE DEMOCRATS -- >> SORRY, LISA.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.

CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THIS IS A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

THIS IS REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTING ESSENTIALLY TO CURTAIL THE ENTIRE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE BY ADJOURNING THE HOUSE, BY ENDING THIS DAY IN SESSION, SENDING LAWMAKERS HOME WITHOUT AN IMPEACHMENT DEBATE.

NOW, REPUBLICANS KNOW THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE VOTES FOR THIS.

SO IN SOME WAYS, IT'S SYMBOLIC.

IT'S AN OBJECTION TO THE PROCESS.

AND AS EXPECTED, REPUBLICANS ARE ALL VOTING TO ADJOURN AND NOT TACKLE IMPEACHMENT, NOT PURSUE IMPEACHMENT TODAY AND DEMOCRATS AND THE ONE INDEPENDENT ARE VOTING TO STAY IN SESSION AND, INDEED, HOLD THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE AS DEMOCRATS HAVE PLANNED.

>> AND, BOB, REMIND US, THIS IS NOT ONLY NOT THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE, NOT THE VOTE BEFORE THE IMPEACHMENT BUT THE VOTE BEFORE THE VOTE BEFORE THE IMPEACHMENT.

REMIND US THAT THIS IS A LONG DAY AND THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE STEPS TO GO AS LISA WAS REPORTING AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW.

>> REMEMBER HOW POLITICAL CONVENTIONS USED TO BE FRENZIED SCENES AND YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR SCRAMMING TO FIGURE OUT -- SCRAMMING WHO'S GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE.

EVENTUALLY CONVENTIONS HAVE BECOME SHOWPIECES FOR EACH PARTY AT THE END OF EVERY PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE.

IN A SIMILAR WAY, THESE HOUSE VOTES HAVE A LOT OF PROCEDURAL ASPECTS TO THEM, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, MOST PARTY LEADERS -- EVERY PARTY LEADER BASED ON MY REPORTING KNOWS HOW THIS IS GOING TO END.

WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THESE MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR THEIR DEMOCRATIC SPEECHES OR REPUBLICAN SPEECHES IS BUILT THE CASE WHEN THE CAMERAS ARE ON THE FLOOR AND TRY TO TELL THE COUNTRY IN THIS SNIPPET OF A MOMENT WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY PAID ATTENTION TO CONGRESS FOR HOURS ON END ABOUT WHY THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING, WHETHER IT'S DEFENDING PRESIDENT TRUMP OR MOVING ON IMPEACHMENT.

AND SO LISTEN TODAY TO THE ARGUMENTS THEY'RE MAKING.

THAT MATTER -- THOSE ARGUMENTS MATTER MORE THAN WHETHER THEY'RE MOVING FOR THIS OR MOVING FOR THAT.

IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S THEIR CASE AHEAD OF AN ELECTION YEAR ABOUT THIS PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT.

>> AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH POLLING, IS THERE A SENSE THAT DESPITE SO MANY HEARINGS IN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, MONTHS OF DISCUSSION, THE COUNTRY HASN'T MOVED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS DEBATE.

>> BUT THE COUNTRY HAS MOVED ON PRESIDENT TRUMP IN SOME RESPECTS.

IN THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTION, SUBURBAN REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN SOME OF THESE KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES, SHIFTED AWAY FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO ERODE THE REPUBLICAN COALITION IN THE SUBURBS EVEN MORE BY PUTTING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR, HIS DECISIONS AT THE FORE OF THEIR CASE FOR 2020.

AND THAT'S PART OF THIS ENTIRE IMPEACHMENT ENDEAVOR, TO CHALLENGE THE PRESIDENT EVEN AS THE ECONOMY IS STRONG, IN MANY RESPECTS, BASED ON THE JOBS NUMBERS, THE HIGH STOCK MARKET NUMBERS, THE DOW JONES BEING WHERE IT'S AT, THE S&P BEING WHERE IT'S AT, THE DEMOCRATS FEEL THEY WOULD LIKE VOTERS TO SHARE IN THEIR OWN DISTASTE AND THEIR OUTRIGHT DISDAIN FOR HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS HANDLED HIS TIME IN OFFICE.

>> MIEKE, IS THERE A CASE THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE THEIR CASE SUCCESSFULLY?

>> I THINK SO.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WOMEN, INDEPENDENTS AND SUBURBAN VOTERS, WHAT YOU SEE IS THAT THOSE VOTERS WHILE NOT AS PARTISAN AS DEMOCRATS THEMSELVES ARE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT, 57, 60% DEPENDING AND THOSE ARE THE COALITIONS THAT YOU SAW IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS MOVE AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS.

NOW, REMEMBER, ANOTHER WAY THAT THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC ELECTION IS THIS THE FIRST TIME THAT AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT WILL FACE THE JUDGMENT OF THE VOTERS AFTER BEING IMPEACHED.

NIXON RESIGNED BEFORE FACING THE VOTERS -- OR FACING IMPEACHMENT.

CLINTON WAS IN HIS SECOND TERM.

AND ANDREW JOHNSON FAILED TO GET THE NOMINATION GOING BACK HISTORICALLY.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT WHERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THIS CONDUCT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN ACCEPT IN THE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> MICHAEL, IS THAT A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE OR IS THE COUNTRY ALREADY SPLIT AND MOSTLY DECIDED ALONG PARTY LINES SUCH THAT THIS WON'T MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE?

>> SO I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS ABOUT THIS AND THEIR TAKE ON IT IS THAT AFTER MAYBE THREE DOZEN HOURS OF HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, THE NEEDLE DIDN'T MOVE AT ALL.

SOME OF THIS IS ATE TRIBUTABLE TO THE -- ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FACT THAT THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PAR ITY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ALREADY ENERGIZED AS IF IT'S NOVEMBER OF AN ELECTION YEAR INSTEAD OF 11 MONTHS BEFORE AN ELECTION.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK IT'S REALLY HARD FOR DEMOCRATS TO ARGUE THAT THEY'VE MADE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PROGRESS IN CONVINCING THE NATION THAT THIS IS A WORTHY ENDEAVOR.

>> AND REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, BELIEVE, THE LAST POLL I SAW WAS UPWARDS OF 90% STILL, RIGHT?

>> CONSISTENTLY UPWARDS OF 90%.

I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS LIKE TO SEE A DISRUPTIVE LEADER.

I THINK THEY REALLY ENJOY SEEING THE PRESIDENT STICK IT TO HIS ENEMIES, AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THE PRESIDENT WROTE THE LETTER THAT HE DID YESTERDAY.

>> SPEAKING OF DISRUPTION, JUST A REMINDER WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW, THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.

THIS IS A REPUBLICAN ATTEMPT TO STOP DEBATE ENTIRELY.

THIS IS PARTY LINE VOTE AGAINST A MOTION THAT WOULD STOP THE DEBATE.

SO, LISA, REMIND US WHAT WILL WE SEE NEXT?

AND WHERE WILL WE GO FROM HERE?

>> WHAT WE EXPECT TO HAPPEN NEXT IS FOR THE HOUSE TO MOVE INTO THE DEBATE ON THE RULE, WHICH WILL GOVERN AND ALLOW THE FULL IMPEACHMENT DEBATE LATER.

NOW, I SAY THAT WE EXPECT THAT.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS COULD DO INCLUDING MAYBE SOME PARLIAMENTARY OBJECTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE EXPECT THAT.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A GOOD REPUBLICAN SOURCE WE SHOULD EXPECT MORE MOTIONS TO ADJOURN THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE CAN'T HAVE ONE IMMEDIATELY.

THEY COULD DO OTHER THINGS.

BUT I SUSPECT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY TO THE RULES DEBATE ITSELF.

WE'LL SEE.

THAT'S THE PLAN ANYWAY.

THAT RULES DEBATE IS SET TO TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR.

ONE THING VIEWERS SHOULD REALIZE IS CONGRESSIONAL TIME IS NOT LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE TIME.

SO AN HOUR OF DEBATE, THEY DO DIVVY THAT OUT EVENLY, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC.

HOWEVER, THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED MAGIC MINUTES, WHICH THREE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE THREE PARTY LEADERS, SPEAKER PELOSI, THE NUMBER 2 DEMOCRAT, STENY HOYER, THE MAJORITY LEADER ANDS WILL THE NUMBER ONE REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER, KEVIN McCARTHY.

THOSE THREE LEADERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE WHAT'S CALLED LEADERSHIP TIME.

THEY CAN COME TO THE FLOOR ON QUESTIONS AND THEY CAN SPEAK AT ANY LENGTH THAT THEY WANT.

SO WE CAN WATCH THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO SEE IF THEY COME.

USUALLY AT THE END OF DEBATES.

I EXPECT THEM LATER THIS EVENING, BUT IT'S STILL SOMETHING TO WATCH FOR THAT COULD CHANGE THE LENGTH OF DEBATE.

REGARDLESS, I THINK WHAT WE SEE NOW IS SORT OF THE HOUSE KIND OF CALLING ITSELF TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THIS REPUBLICAN MOTION TO ADJOURN AND I SUSPECT WE WILL SEE MEMBERS IN THEIR CHAIR WATCHING THIS HISTORIC DEBATE BEGIN WITH THE RULES DEBATE PROBABLY VERY SHORTLY.

HOWEVER, WE'LL SEE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FLUID DAY, MAY NOT ALWAYS BE PREDICTABLE.

>> BOB?

IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOTE TOTALS RIGHT NOW ON YOUR SCREEN, YOU'LL SEE 223 NAY VOTES ON THE MOTION TO ADJOURN, AND THAT EFFECTIVELY MEANS THIS MOTION TO ADJOURN PROPOSED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL FAIL.

IT'S ALREADY FAILED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AND THAT'S A TELLING WAY TO START THE DAY.

REPUBLICANS WILL OFFER CERTAIN MOTIONS.

THEY'LL MAKE CERTAIN SPEECHES, BUT WHO CONTROLS THIS HOUSE FLOOR?

SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

AND THIS IS ABOUT SPEAKER PELOSI IN CONTROL, NOT JUST OF THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY BUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, A DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT HAS YET TO RALLY AROUND A STANDARD BEAR FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.

SHE AT THIS STAGE IN HER CAREER IS IN COMMAND.

SHE DECIDED TO BRING IT FORWARD ON HER TIMELINE.

SHE TAPPED CHAIRMAN SCHIFF OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE TO RUN THIS PROCESS.

SHE THEN PUT IT TO JERRY NADLER IN JUDICIARY.

SHE IS MAKING DECISION AFTER DECISION, A SPEAKER WHO WAS IN POWER, OUT OF POWER, COMES BACK, A HISTORIC FIGURE IN HER OWN RIGHT.

AS MUCH AS TODAY IS ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP, IT IS ALSO CERTAINLY ABOUT SPEAKER PELOSI.

>> MIEKE, SPEAKER PELOSI IN CONTROL OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SHE KNOWS EVERY SINGLE VOTE IS.

SHE DOESN'T PUT THINGS OUT THERE IF SHE DOESN'T THINK THAT SHE CAN WIN.

AND SHE IS ACCUSTOMED TO WINNING HARD VOTE.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZED HER FOR ANNOUNCING THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT MOVING FORWARD ON THE SAME DAY SHE ANNOUNCED THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAD REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE REPUBLICANS OVER THE U.S. MCA TRADE DEAL.

BUT SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT HER POLITICS ARE EXACTLY AND SHE KNOWS IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE'RE NOT JUST DOING IMPEACHMENT.

SHE'S LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN SURVIVE RE-ELECTION.

IN HER CALCULATION, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO ENSURE THAT SHE RETAINS THE GAVEL AFTER THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

>> MICHAEL?

I HEAR REPUBLICANS SAYING ALL THE TIME, WOW, NANCY PELOSI IS SUDDENLY THE MOST REASONABLE DEMOCRAT WE HAVE.

I THINK THAT'S SOMEWHAT A REFLECTION OF BERNIE SANDERS AND ELIZABETH WARREN.

BUT IT'S ALSO NOT JUST NANCY PELOSI MARSHALING THE WHIP HERE IN THIS PARTICULAR VOTE, BUT SAYING THAT THE GREEN NEW DEAL IS TOO FAR OF A WAY TO GO AND SAME WITH MEDICARE FOR ALL.

NANCY PELOSI, IN ADDITION TO BEING A BRILLIANT POLITICAL TACKTATION, I THINK IS TRYING TO RIGHT THE SHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO IT STAYS VIABLE FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

>> AND SINCE WE'RE TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT SPEAKER PELOSI, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT, MICHAEL, ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS THAT WE SHOULD BE WATCHING FOR.

TODAY WE'LL SEE TOM COLE, RANKING MEMBER OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE LIKE JIM JORDAN OF OHIO.

WHO ARE THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE GOING TO MAKE THE ARGUMENTS ON THE FLOOR MOST VOCIFEROUSLY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY MARK MEADOWS, THE FORMER ED HAD OF THE HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS AND JIM JORDAN.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, MATT GAETZZ FROM FLORIDA.

THOSE ARE THREE OF THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBERS.

BUT YOU'LL ALSO SEE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OTHER REPUBLICANS TRYING TO GET OUT THERE AND VOCIFEROUSLY SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S GENERALLY GREAT POLITICS FOR THEM AMONG THEIR REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO VERY MUCH SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.

>> LISA, BACK TO YOU.

WHICH REPUBLICANS ARE YOU -- OH, HERE WE GO.

>> 226.

THIS IS A -- E MOTION IS NOT ADOPTED.

THE HOUSE WILL BE IN OR IN ORDE.

>> YOU CAN HEAR SOME CONSTERNATION IN THE HOUSE.

LISA, SO THAT WAS, THE FIRST VOTE.

AS BOB COSTA POINTED OUT, THE NUMBERS -- >> OF WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMEN -- >> THE NUMBERS WE SAW IN THAT VOTE IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO SEE THROUGHOUT THE DAY PARTY LINE VOTES.

ACTUALLY, LET'S GO STRAIGHT TO MINORITY LEADER REPRESENTATIVE McCARTHY.

>> WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY VIOLATED THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY USING AND EXCEEDING THEIR POWERS POWERS AS CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES THAT WITHOUT CONSULTATION WOUL THE RANKING AMERICAN MEMBER IN VIOLATION OF RULE 9 OF THE RILES OF DEPARTMENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE CHAIRMAN SCHIFF IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMITTEES ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM AND FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ANNOUNCED A WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRUMP-GIULIANI UKRAINE SCHEME WHERE ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2019, IN AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTION, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF UNILATERALLY RELEASED A REDACTED VERSION OF THE WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT WHEREAS ON SEPTEMBER 26th, 2019, IN HIS OPENING STATEMENT AT A PUBLIC HEARING, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF ENGAGED IN A FALSE RETELLING OF THE JULY 25th, 2019, TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

WHEREAS ON NOVEMBER 20th, 2019, A LETTER WAS TRANSMITTED FROM THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBER TO CHAIRMAN SCHIFF REQUESTING PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 660 THE CONCURRENCE OF THE CHAIR TO ISSUE CERTAIN SUBPOENAS WHEREAS ON NOVEMBER 20th, 2019, AFTER EXCUSING THE WITNESSES AT AN OPEN HEARING AND WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE TO THE REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF ANNOUNCED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD A BUSINESS MATTER TO TAKE UP AND CONVENED AN IMPROMPTU BUSINESS MEETING TO CONSIDER THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBERS' NOVEMBER 20th REQUEST CONCERNING CERTAIN SUBPOENAS.

WHEREAS ON NOVEMBER 20th, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF VIOLATED RULE 11 OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHICH STATES THE CHAIR OF A COMMITTEE SHALL NUNS THE DATE, PLACE AND SUBJECT MATTER OF A COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH MAY NOT COMMENCE EARLIER THAN THE THIRD CALENDAR DAY ON WHICH MEMBERS HAVE NOTICED THEREOF.

>> THE CLERK SHALL SUSPEND.

THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> CLERK MAY CONTINUE.

NOVEMBER 20th, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF'S ACTION FURTHER VIOLATED PARAGRAPH 4B OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 660 WHICH STATES IN THE CASE THAT THE CHAIR DECLINE CLINES TO CONCUR IN A PROPOSED ACTION OF THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBER -- >> LET'S JUST GO BACK TO LISA DESJARDINS TO NARRATE WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.

LISA, TELL US WHAT THE CLERK IS SAYING THERE AND TELL US -- TALK TO US ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE DUE JETT OF COLORADO WHO WE SAW GAVELING THE SESSION IN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, DIANA IS THE PRESIDING OFFICER FOR THE DEMOCRATS BUT THE PERSON TO WATCH RIGHT NOW ESSENTIALLY IS KEVIN McCARTHY, THE REPUBLICAN LEADER.

HE'S MAKING A CORE REPUBLICAN ARGUMENT HERE WHICH IS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT ONLY HAD AN UNFAIR PROCESS.

HE'S ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF BREAKING HOUSE RULES IN HOW THEY HAVE PURSUED THIS.

THE CLERK IS RIGHT NOW READING THROUGH THE LIST OF ARGUMENTS REPUBLICANS HAVE FOR HOW THEY BELIEVE DEMOCRATS HAVE BROKEN THE RULES HERE.

AMONG THOSE BEING THE IDEA THAT REPUBLICANS SHOULD HAVE HAD THEIR OWN DAY OF HEARINGS, WHICH THEY DID NOT GET.

NOW, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, BUT I SUSPECT THIS COULD GO TO A PARLIAMENTARY RULING AND THEN WE COULD SEE AN APPEAL OF THAT RULING AND THEN A VOTE ON THAT APPEAL.

I'LL TAKE YOU THROUGH THAT AS THAT HAPPENS, BUT LET'S JUST KIND OF WATCH HOW THIS GOES.

RIGHT NOW ESSENTIALLY REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT OUT A RESOLUTION CHALLENGING HOW DEMOCRATS HAVE RUN THIS AND ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF BREAKING HOUSE RULES DURING THIS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

>> BOB, JUST KIND OF DESCRIBE WHY WE'RE SEEING WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

WE HAD A SCHEDULE OUT THIS MORNING.

WE'RE WELL BEHIND ALREADY.

>> WELL BEHIND.

BUT WHAT YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW IS VERY REVEALING, BECAUSE YOU SEE IN DIANA DeGETTE, THE LAWMAKER DEMOCRAT FROM COLORADO, AN ALLY OF THE LEADERSHIP, SOMEONE WHO'S KNOWN AS VERY TOUGH IN HANDLING -- >> WE'RE LISTENING TO THE CLERK -- >> PRESIDING OVER THE HOUSE.

SHE'S SOMEONE WHO WILL KEEP IT ALL IN ORDER.

THAT'S WHO SPEAKER PELOSI WANTS IN THERE ON AN IMPORTANT DAY.

AND THEN KEVIN McCARTHY, THE MINORITY LEADER FROM THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA, YOU HAVE IN McCARTHY SOMEONE WHO'S SUCH A CLOSE ALLY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND HIS LATER PROPOSAL HERE IS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT CHAIRMAN SCHIFF AND NADLER.

THAT CONCERN, THAT PROPOSAL ECHOS WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS FOR WEEKS.

REPUBLICANS WHEN I'M TALKING TO THEM AT THE CAPITAL WOULD RATHER ENGAGE IN DEBATES ABOUT THE PROCESS OF THIS IMPEACHMENT THAN THE SUBSTANCE OF THE COMPLAINT ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS CONDUCT WITH UKRAINE.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AT THIS MOMENT, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE CLERK READING OBJECTIONS IS BY REPUBLICANS OF THE PROCESS.

>> WHEREAS RANKING MINORITY MEMBER COLLINS FURNISHED CHAIRMAN NADLER REMINDING HIM OF HIS OBLIGATION TO SCHEDULE A DAY OF HEARINGS AS REQUESTED BY THE MINORITY PARTY AND CHAIRMAN NADLER IGNORED THE LETTER AND FAILED TO RESPOND, WHEREAS CHAIRMAN NADLER MISGUIDED MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND REFUSED TO RULE PROPERLY ON MEMBERS' POINTS OF ORDER CONCERNING THE REQUESTED MINORITY HEARING DAY, WHEREAS CHAIRMAN NADLER REFUSED TO CONSIDER THE SCHEDULING OF THE MINORITY HEARING DAY DURING A COMMITTEE MEETING UNTIL THE MARKUP OF ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

WHEREAS IN PLACE OF FINDING COMMON GROUND WITH A MINORITY, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF AND CHAIRMAN NADLER HAVE CONSTANTLY DISREGARDED THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND IGNORED THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY AND WHEREAS CHAIRMAN SCHIFF AND CHAIRMAN NADLER'S ACTIONS AND ABUSES OF POWER AS CHIRMEN OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE THE AND JUDICIARY HAVE THRAMPLED ON THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY IN VIOLATION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND BROUGHT DISHONOR AND DISCREDIT UPON THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NOW, THEREFOR IT BE IT RESOLVED THAT, 1, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STRONGLY CONDEMNS CHAIRMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF FOR REPEATED AND BLATANT ABUSE OF POWER IN A WAY THAT IS NOT BEFITTING AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIS POSITION AS CHAIRMAN AND, 2, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE MANNER IN WHICH CHAIRMAN GERALD NADLER HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE MINORITY'S REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL DAY OF HEARINGS TO CONSIDER IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMEN -- THE RESOLUTION QUALIFIES.

FOR PURPOSES OF THE -- WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMEN HAVE?

>> I HAVE A MOTION AT THE DESK.

MR. HOYER OF MARYLAND TO LAY THE RESOLUTION ON THE TABLE.

>> QUESTIONS ON THE MOTION TO TABLE.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

OPPOSED NO.

NO.

THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR THE AYES HAVE IT.

GENTLEMEN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> I REQUEST A RECORDED VOTE.

RECORDED VOTE IS REQUESTED.

THOSE FAVORING A RECORDED VOTE WILL RISE.

A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISEN, A RECORDED VOTE IS ORDERED.

MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.

THIS WILL BE A 15-MINUTE VOTE.

>> OKAY.

LISA DESJARDINS, AT THE CAPITOL JUST EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT THEY'RE VOTING ON NOW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THIS IS YET ANOTHER ESSENTIAL REPUBLICAN OBJECTION TO THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

REPUBLICANS ARE ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF BREAKING THE RULES AND NOT GIVING REPUBLICANS THE MINORITY, AS YOU HEARD IN THAT RESOLUTION, THEIR FAIR SHARE OF WITNESS TESTIMONY, THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD THEIR OWN HEARINGS.

THERE IS A HOUSE RULE ABOUT MINORITY DAY HEARINGS.

IT IS SELDOM INVEHICLED, BUT REPUBLICANS ARE INVOKING THAT HERE.

AND ESSENTIALLY NOW DEMOCRATS HAVE MOVED TO TABLE OR KILL THIS REPUBLICAN RESOLUTION ACCUSING THE DEMOCRATS OF BREAKING THE RULES.

IT'S A VERY COMMON BACK-AND-FORTH, YOUR PROCESS IS RIGHT, NO, YOU GUYS ARE WRONG, ESSENTIALLY NOW DEMOCRATS WILL VERY LIKELY LOOKS LIKE OUTVOTE REPUBLICANS.

BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE A MORE INTERESTING VOTE THAN THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.

ALREADY WE MAY SEE A FEW PARTY SWITCHERS.

THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TEST OF WHERE BOTH PARTIES STAND ON THIS PROCESS TODAY.

WHEN THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION DEFINING THE OVERALL RULES OF THE INQUIRY WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE, WE ONLY SAW TWO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BREAK WITH THEIR PARTY.

THAT WAS TWO DEMOCRATS COLLIN PETERSON OF MINNESOTA AND JEFF VAN DREW OF NEW JERSEY.

WE DO EXPECT BOTH OF THOSE DEMOCRATS TO VOTE AGAINST IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

JEFF VAN DREW REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING SWITCHING PARTIES.

HE TOLD OUR PRODUCER YESTERDAY THAT HE'S NOT SURE WHEN HE WILL MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

HE'S HOLDING HIS HEART CLOSE TO HIS VEST.

THE POINT IS THAT THIS VOTE IS A FIRST INITIAL TEST OF WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS WILLING TO BREAK WITH THEIR PARTIES AT LEAST IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER KIND OF PARLIAMENTARY WAY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE OBJECTING TO THIS PROCESS.

THIS IS NOT A VOTE ON WHETHER TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OR NOT.

IT'S A VOTE ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED AND WHETHER THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN FAIR.

>> BOB, TWO POINTS THERE.

ONE IS WE'VE SEEN ONE DEMOCRATIC NAY SO FAR, I THINK AT LEAST THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT'S UP THERE NOW.

BUT THIS IS AGAIN ANOTHER 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE VOTE THAT COMES BEFORE THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE.

>> TO BUILD ON LISA'S REPORTING, YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE HOUSE THAT, THROUGH LEADER McCARTHY, ARE TRYING TO STOP THIS IMPEACHMENT VOTE BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

, WHETHER IT'S A MOTION TO ADJOURN OR THIS LATER PROCEDURAL GAM BUTT.

THIS IS A HOUSE REPUBLICAN PARTH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT BASED ON MY REPORTING, THAT REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE SENSE THAT THE SENATE G.O.P., JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY, INSIDE THE CAPITOL, HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND APPROACH AND ENGAGE I WITH THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

YOU HAVE SENATORS UP FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2020 LIKE SUSAN COLLINS OF MAINE WHO ANNOUNCED HER RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN EARLIER TODAY, SAYING THEY WANT THE PROCESS TO BE MUCH MORE LOW KEY, MUCH MORE BALANCED.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS KIND OF PARTISANSHIP DOMINATE.

THERE ARE ALLIES IN THE SENATE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, LIKE SENATOR PAUL AND SENATOR GRAHAM, WHO WILL LIKELY ACT LIKE HOUSE REPUBLICANS IN TRYING TO CALL HUNTER BIDEN AS A WITNESS OR USE PROCEDURE TO CREATE A PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS.

BUT REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE ARE IN CONTROL.

SO THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF THE G.O.P., A SNAPSHOT OF A MINORITY PARTY IN THE HOUSE, BUT WHEN THIS MOVES TO A TRIAL PHASE IN THE SENATE, REPUBLICANS CONTROL THAT CHAMBER, AND IT WILL BE UP TO MAJORITY LEADER McCONNELL TO REALLY ALLOW THESE KIND OF GAM BITS OR NOT.

>> LISA, LET ME GO BACK TO YOU THEN.

BOB COSTA HAS TRANSITIONED US TO THE SENATE, SO JUST A REMINDER THAT THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT TODAY ALONG PARTY LINES, MAKING HIM THE THIRD PRESIDENT TO BE IMIMPEACHED IN U.S. HISTORY.

THAT MEANS A TRIAL WILL BE HELD IN THE SENATE.

THEY NEED TWO-THIRDS IN ORDER TO EVICT THE SENATE FROM -- PRESIDENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY.

IS THERE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THAT VOTE GOING FORWARD IN JANUARY?

AND AS BOB COSTA WAS SAYING, THERE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE ALREADY COME OUT AND SAID WE ARE NOT IMPARTIAL.

WE ARE GOING TO NOT CONVICT THE PRESIDENT.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE SOME REPUBLICANS WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE.

>> NO, THERE'S NO DOUBT.

THERE IS NOWHERE NEAR TWO-THIRDS VOTE TO REMOVE THIS PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE IN THE U.S. SENATE, NOT ONLY IN THE MAJORITY REPUBLICANS, BUT I THINK THE FIRST QUESTION BEFORE WE EVEN TALK ABOUT WHETHER TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT IS SORT OF THE IDEA OF COULD THERE BE ENOUGH VOTES TO EVEN DISMISS THESE CHARGES?

IT SEEMS LIKE RIGHT NOW -- WHICH COULD ONLY BE A MAJORITY OF VOTES NEEDED IN THE SENATE, RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE KIND OF FOUR SWING SENATORS, MAYBE A FEW MORE REPUBLICANS, WHO WILL BE VERY PIVOTAL IN DETERMINING WHAT THE SENATE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE, WHETHER THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL WITNESSES CALLED THERE OR NOT.

THOSE ARE INCLUDING SOME VULNERABLE REPUBLICANS SENATORS NEXT YEAR, SUSAN COLLINS OF MAINE, CORY GARDNER OF COLORADO, BUT ALSO TWO OTHERS, LISA MURKOWSKI OF ALASKA, MITT ROMNEY OF UTAH WHO HAVE BEEN SWING VOTERS AND WHO HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THIS PRESIDENT IN THE PAST.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL DOES NOT WANT A LONG TRIAL.

HE HAS INDICATED HE DOES NOT WANT NEW WITNESSES IN THE SENATE.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS HE DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO DETERMINE THAT BY HIMSELF.

IF A MAJORITY OF U.S.

SENATORS WOULD LIKE TO CALL ADDITIONAL WITNESSES, THEY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

BUT IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THERE IS THAT MAJORITY NOW.

IT LOOKS LIKE A SENATE TRIAL WILL BEGIN MUCH AS THE CLINTON TRIAL DID WITH OPENING PRESENTATIONS FROM THE HOUSE WHICH IS LOOK AS A PROSECUTOR AND THE PRESIDENT AND HIS COUNSEL DEFENDING HIM.

FROM THERE IT LOOKS LIKE THE SENATE WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO DETERMINE HOW IT FEELS WHAT IT WANTS TO DO NEXT.

DOES IT THEN VOTE TO TRY AND ISDISMISS CHARGES TO TRY AND ACQUIT THE PRESIDENT?

RIGHT NOW THAT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO.

BUT AGAIN, A MOO JORT OF SATURDAY -- MAJORITY OF SENATORS AND THERE ARE SOME SWING REPUBLICANS TO WATCH, CAN AFFECT THOSE RULES AND MAKE THE RULES HOW THEY WANT THEM ONCE THAT TRIAL BEGINS.

>> YOU'RE WATCHING SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE PBS NEWSHOUR FOR A VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW IS A -- THE RESULTS OF A MOSTLY PARTY LINE VOTE, IT SEEMS, ALTHOUGH WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF NONVOTERS LEFT RIGHT NOW ON A REPUBLICAN MOTION TO THROW OUT THESE PROCEEDS THAT WILL LOOK LIKE -- PROCEEDINGS.

THE ACTUAL VOTE IS TO TABLE THAT MOTION, MEANING TO KILL THE MOTIONS THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO PROCEED WITH THE DEBATE TODAY.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TODAY AND IN THE SENATE AND LET ME COME TO YOU, MIEKE FIRST.

YOU WERE POINTING OUT THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF IS VAGUE WHEN IT COMES TO IMPEACHMENT AND RULES FOR THE TRIAL IN THE SENATE BUT THE SENATE DOES HAVE ITS OWN RULES ABOUT WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO CONVICT THE PRESIDENT OR NOT.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE SENATE TRIAL THAT WILL PROBABLY START FIRST OR SECOND WEEK IN JANUARY?

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN ARE REQUESTS ABOUT SENATOR SCHUMER TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THESE ADDITIONAL WITNESSES THAT WE DIDN'T GET TO HEAR FROM IN THE HOUSE, FROM THE WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF, MICK MULVANEY, FROM THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY VISOR JOHN -- ADVISER JOHN BOLTON.

AND HE'S MAKING THIS APPEAL SAYING, WE APPRECIATE PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR FROM FIRSTHAND WITNESSES.

IN THE SENATE WE CAN CALL THEM AS WITNESSES AND WE SHOULD HEAR FROM WITNESSES AT A TRIAL.

FOR A LOT OF THESE VULNERABLE REPUBLICANS, THE IDEA OF SHUTTING DOWN WITNESS TESTIMONY MAKES IT SEEM LIKE THE SENATE PROCESS WILL BE CLOSED NOT TRANSPARENT, NOT PARTICULARLY FAIR.

I THINK THAT'S A REAL VULNERABILITY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTEND WITH.

BUT YOU SEE MITCH McCONNELL SAYING, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE WITNESSES IN THE SENATE.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO HEAR FROM THE MANAGERS AND THEN MOVE FORWARD.

SO THIS IS A REAL FIGHT ABOUT HOW MUCH PROCESS WILL BE THERE.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUSTICE ROBERTS, WILL PRESIDE OVER THAT PROCEEDING.

>> IT IS TWO, OF THE MOST -- ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE JUDICIARY WILL PROCEED INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OVER THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE.

MICHAEL ALLEN, FROM THE REPUBLICANS' PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE HEARD MAJORITY LEADER McCONNELL, SENATOR GRAHAM, A CLOSE ALLY OF THE PRESIDENT, COME OUT AND SAY, I AM NOT IMPARK.

THIS IS IMPARTIAL.

THIS IS A POLITICAL QUESTION.

MIEKE SAYS THIS SEES THEM AS VULNERABLE.

THAT'S NOT HOW THEY SEE IT.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY SEE IT THAT WAY.

I THINK AGAIN THEIR VOTERS ARE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN PUTTING THIS TO A QUICK CLOSE.

THIS IS A AS THE FEDE FEDERALIST PAPERS MENTIONED, THE CONGRESS IS A POLITICAL INSTITUTION.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INSULATE THS SENATE FROM POLITICS IN PARTICULAR.

BUT TO THE POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE OTHER FOLKS HERE AT THE TABLE, I WAS IN A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR RECENTLY AND THEY WERE ASKED HOW LONG WILL THE TRIAL GO?

AND THAT SENATOR'S ANSWER WAS, AS LONG AS MITT ROMNEY AND SUSAN COLLINS NEED IT TO BE TO SHOW THAT IT WAS A LEGITIMATE PROCESS.

SO VERY MUCH MOST REPUBLICANS ARE READY TO GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY, MOVE ON, BUT YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

A COUPLE OF SENATORS NEED TO SHOW THEIR VOTERS BACK HOME OR IN MITT ROMNEY'S CASE CERTAINLY HIS OWN CONSCIOUS THAT THIS WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.

>> BOB COSTA, A TRANSLATION OF THAT IS AS WE ARE HEARING FROM SOME REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENT THAT THEY DON'T PARTICULARLY WANT TO HEAR THE EVIDENCE BEFORE THEY DECIDE, THERE ARE SOME REPUBLICANS MORE MODERATE IN THE MIDDLE OR HAVE POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS BACK HOME WHO REALLY ARE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND INDICATING AS SUCH.

>> I PULLED ASIDE SENATOR COLLINS THE OTHER DAY, AND I SAID, WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE HERE?

SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A TRIAL THAT'S SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS.

SHE SAID SHE LOOKED AT THE CLINTON TRIAL IN 1999, FIVE WEEKS LONG, AS A MODEL OF SORTS.

I PULLED ASIDE SENATOR ROMNEY.

AND HE SAID HE WANTS TO PURSUE THIS IN A WAY THAT'S VERY CIVIL, THAT'S NOT PARTISAN.

HE'S BEEN COY ABOUT IMPEACHMENT, HE WANTS TO HEAR FACTS ANDENS,S AND ARGUMENTS.

-- AND AND WITNESSES AND ARGUMENTS.

THEY WEIGH ON MITCH McCONNELL AS TO HOW EXACTLY TO PROCEED.

AND HE HAS SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER MAKING HIS OWN REQUESTS ABOUT WITNESSES.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE DEMOCRATS AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THE COMING DAYS SAYING, WHERE IS SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO?

WHERE IS JOHN POT BOLTON, THE FORMER NAT NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER?

BECAUSE DEMOCRATS KNOW THEY HAVE A CASE IN THEIR EYES BASED ON THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BREAK AWAY SOME MORE REPUBLICANS BY HAVING A BOLTON PUT HIS HAND IN THE AIR AND TESTIFY ABOUT EVERYTHING HE KNOWS.

>> LISA DESJARDINS, MITCH McCONNELL IS WEIGHING THE DEMANDS OF MINORITY LEADER SCHUMER, MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY, BUT ALSO THE PRESIDENT.

SO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE MAJORITY LEADER AS FAR AS YOU CAN TELL IS THINKING ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES GOING FORWARD AND HOW MUCH THE PRESIDENT -- WHAT THE PRESIDENT MAY WANT.

>> I BELIEVE MANY A Ph.D. THESIS WILL BE WRITTEN IN THE FUTURE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MITCH McCONNELL AND PRESIDENT TRUMP.

IT IS A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP.

SOMETIMES, IN FACT OFTEN, I WOULD SAY, IT'S TENSE.

THEY SEE THEIR JOBS.

THEY SEE GOVERNMENT.

THEY SEE INSTITUTIONS VERY DIFFERENTLY FROM ONE ANOTHER.

YET IT IS IN BOTH OF THEIR INTERESTS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND FOR -- ON MANY, MANY POLICIES.

SO I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST WEEK, MITCH McCONNELL, NO ONE UNDERSTANDS SENATE RULES RIGHT NOW IN THE SENATE BETTER THAN MITCH McCONNELL.

HE HAS BEEN THINKING ABOUT HOW HE WOULD HANDLE IMPEACHMENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AND HE HAD SORT OF A BATTLE PLAN READY WHICH WAS, LET'S KEEP THIS CONTROLLED.

LET'S NOT KIND OF GO OFF ON ANY, WHAT HE CALLS, FISHING EXPEDITIONS, EITHER DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW FROM SOME REPORTING, INCLUDING FROM THE FINE "WASHINGTON POST," THAT THE PRESIDENT AND MANY AROUND HIM WANTED AN EXTENDED TRIAL, WANTED TO SORT OF GO TO THE MATTRESSES, TO QUOTE "GODFATHER" AND SO REALLY KIND OF GET AS MANY WITNESSES AS THEY CAN, HAVE A VERY LARGE SORT OF MEDIA EVENT OUT OF THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT MITCH McCONNELL WANTED.

WHAT DID MITCH McCONNELL DO LAST WEEK?

HE WENT ON TELEVISION, AND HE BASICALLY SAID, I AM WORKING WITH THE PRESIDENT.

I AM WORKING WITH THE PRESIDENT'S COUNSEL.

HE WAS TELLING THE PRESIDENT, I'M ON YOUR SIDE, REALLY SHOWING THAT HE'S WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE PRESIDENT, EVEN AS I THINK HE TRIES TO MOVE THE PRESIDENT CLOSER TO HIS WAY OF THINKING, WHICH IS THAT A SHORTER TRIAL IS BETTER FOR THE PRESIDENT AND BETTER FOR REPUBLICANS.

ALL OF THOSE DYNAMICS WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY OUT.

MEANWHILE, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE VOTE UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW IN THE HOUSE AND TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT OF REPORTING I HAVE.

AS WE'VE BEEN MENTIONING, THIS IS A VOTE FROM REPUBLICANS, A RESOLUTION -- I NOW HAVE THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION -- SPECIFICALLY TO CONDEMN ADAM SCHIFF, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, AND JERRY NADLER, THE HOUSE OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, OF BREAKING THE RULES, ABUSING POWER, ESSENTIALLY DEMOCRATS LATER TODAY WILL BE IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

WE EXPECT THEM TO FOR ABUSE OF POWER.

BEFORE THAT HAPPENS, WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS DOING?

ACCUSING DEMOCRATS, TWO DEMOCRATS OF ABUSE OF POWER.

DEMOCRATS ARE MOVING TO TABLE OR KILL THOSE CHARGES FROM REPUBLICANS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT VOTE Y SHOULD BE WIPING DOWN SOON -- WINDING DOWN SOON.

I'M ALSO TOLD THAT REPUBLICANS -- THIS IS THE LAST TACTIC THEY EXPECT TO USE THIS MORNING.

THEY DO EXPECT TO MOVE TO THE HOUSE RULES OF DEBATE SHORTLY AFTER THIS.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE IN ERNEST SHOULD BEGIN RELATIVELY SOON.

>> BEFORE WE GO BACK TO THE FLOOR IN 40 SECONDS JUST REMIND PEOPLE WHAT WE WILL SEE AFTER THIS AT THAT RULES DEBATE YOU JUST SAID.

>> I THINK WE WILL BE SEEING LIKELY THE TWO LEADERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RULES COMMITTEE, JIM McGOVERN OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND THE RANKING REPUBLICAN, TOM COLE OF OKLAHOMA, TAKE TO THE PODIUMS, PREPARE TO BEGIN DISCUSSION OF THE RULE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE, WHICH LAYS OUT HOW LONG THAT DEBATE SHOULD LAST LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND BASICALLY ALLOWS THAT DEBATE TO HAPPEN.

IT'S A PROCEDURAL EVENT, VOTING ON THE RULE.

BUT THE ACTUAL DIALOGUE, THE SPEECHES WILL LIKELY BE ABOUT IMPEACHMENT ITSELF.

BUT IT IS TECHNICALLY A VOTE TO SET UP THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE.

THAT DEBATE ON THE RULE WILL LAST ABOUT AN HOUR.

THE HOUSE WILL THEN COME BACK AND VOTE ON THAT RULE AND THEN MOVE TOWARD -- TO THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE ITSELF.

>> AND BOB COSTA, WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THIS PARTICULAR VOTE, JUST REMIND US, AS FAR AS WE KNOW WHAT IS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOING TODAY?

HOW MUCH ATTENTION IS HE PAYING?

AND HOW MUCH IS HE INVOLVED IN THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE?

>> HE'S DIRECTLY INVOLVED.

HIS LETTER IS SHAPING THE ENTIRE TONE OF HOW THE PARTY'S RESPONDING.

>> THE LETTER HE SENT TO SPEAKER PELOSI YESTERDAY.

>> THAT WAS A LETTER HE PERSONALLY CRAFTED OVER THE COURSE OF DAYS, TRYING TO SPELL OUT IN NUMEROUS PAGES EXACTLY HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

IT WAS NOT ADVISED BY SOME PEOPLE INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE TO DO THIS, BUT HE WANTED TO HAVE THIS OUTPOURING OF HIS OWN THOUGHTS, FOR HISTORY, AND ALSO TO SET THE TONE.

MY SOURCES HAVE BEEN DESCRIBE SOMETHING THE LETTER AS A TRUMP RALLY PUT TO PAPER.

AND YOU SEE EVERYTHING FROM THE DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS TO HIS OWN DEFENSE OF HIS CONDUCT, ALL OF IT TOGETHER IN THIS DOCUMENT, JUST HOURS AHEAD TONIGHT OF WHEN THE PRESIDENT WILL GO TO SWING STATE MICHIGAN TO RALLY HIS CORE VOTERS.

I WAS WITH THE PRESIDENT, COVERING HIM ABOUT A WEEK AGO, IN HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA, ANOTHER SWING STATE, IN THE INDUSTRIAL YOU MIDWEST AND MID-ATLANTIC, WHERE HE SAID TO HIS VOTERS, HE'S DEMOCRATS -- THESE DEMOCRATS ARE OUT-OF-BOUNDS, AND YOU HAVE TO COME AND VOTE FOR ME IN 2020 TO DEFEND ME.

MAKE IT A CASE ABOUT HIS RECORD BUT ALSO A PERSONAL CALL FOR THEM TO COME HELP HIM.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE SEE THIS CAMPAIGN SHAPING UP TO BE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

IT'S PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE CENTER, FLAILING AT TIMES BUT ALSO PUNCHING BACK AT HIS OPPONENTS.

>> AND AS FAR AS YOU COULD TELL, WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF THAT CROWD TO HIS ARGUMENTS?

>> THAT WAS A GROUP OF DIE-HARD TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN, MEN AND WOMEN, WEARING THE RED CAP, "KEEP AMERICA GREAT."

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE SLOGAN THIS TIME AROUND.

THEY'RE WITH HIM, BUT AGAIN THE QUESTION DEMOCRATS HAVE TO ASK IS, THOSE VOTERS MAY STILL BE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT WHAT ABOUT SUBURBAN WOMEN?

WHAT ABOUT SUBURBAN MEN?

CAN THEY BE SWAYED?

IN STATES EVEN LIKE GEORGIA OR TEXAS WHERE YOU HAVE SENATE RACES IN 2020?

COULD PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CONDUCT BE PART OF WHY DEMOCRATS REGAIN POWER WHETHER IT'S AT THE WHITE HOUSE OR IN CONGRESS?

>> SO A REMINDER, WE ARE WAITING FOR -- TO GO PACK TO THE HOUSE -- BACK TO THE HOUSE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE PARTY LINE VOTE, ALMOST EXACTLY ON A REPUBLICAN MOTION ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF ABUSE OF POWER AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING THERE IS THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE TO TABLE THAT MOTION OR TO KILL THAT MOTION.

SO WHILE WE WAIT TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE, LET ME BRING IT BACK TO THE TABLE.

MIEKE, WHAT BOB WAS -- OH, LET'E HOUSE FLOOR RIGHT NOW.

LOOKS LIKE WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME -- >> THE YAYS ARE 226.

THE NAYS ARE 191.

THE MOTION IS NOT ADOPTED -- OR THE MOTION IS ADOPTED.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE.

THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS RISE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES, I CALL FOR RESOLUTION 767 AND ASK FOR HIS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

>> HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 63, HOUSE RESOLUTION 767, RESOLVED, THAT IMMEDIATELY UPON ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION, WITHOUT INTERVENTION OF ANY POINT OF ORDER, THE HOUSE SHALL PROCEED TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE HOUSE -- IN THE HOUSE OF THE RESOLUTION HOUSE RESOLUTION 755, IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY NOW PRINTED IN THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPED.

THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED TO ADOPTION WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION OR DEMAND FOR DIVISION OF THE QUESTION EXCEPT AS FOLLOWS: A THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE DEBATABLE FOR SIX HOURS EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DESIGNEES.

B, THE QUESTION OF ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED SHALL BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE TWO ARTICLES, SECTION 2.

DURING CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 755, ONLY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE ADMITTED TO THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OR ROOMS LEADING THERETO.

"A," MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

"B," THE DELEGATES AND THE RESIDENT COMMISSIONER.

"C," THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

"D," OTHER PERSONS AS DESIGNATED BY THE SPEAKER.

SECTION 3, AFTER ADOPTION OF THE HOUSE RESOLUTION 755, IT SHALL BE IN ORDER WITHOUT INTERVENTION OF ANY POINT OF ORDER TO CONSIDER IN THE HOUSE A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND AUTHORIZING MANAGERS FOR THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IF OFFERED BY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY OR HIS DESIGNEE, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS ORDERED ON THE RESOLUTION TO AWAY ADOPTION WITHOUT INTERVENING MOTION OR DEMAND FOR DIVISION OF THE QUESTION EXCEPT TEN MINUTES OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MAIN OR THE MEMBER OF THE MINORITY MEMBER.

NO OTHER RESOLUTION TO IMPEACHMENT RELATING TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 755 SHALL BE PRIVILEGED DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE 116th CONGRESS.

SECTION 4 MAY INSERT SUCH MATERIAL AS HE MAY DEEM EXPLANATORY OF "A" HOUSE RESOLUTION 755 NOT LATER THAN THE DATE THAT IS FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS AFTER THEREOF AND "B" THE RESOLUTION SPECIFIED IN SECTION 3 OF THIS RESOLUTION NOT LATER THAN THE DATE THAT IS 5 LEGISLATIVE DAYS AFTER ADOPTION THEREOF.

>> DOES THE GENTLEMEN FROM LOUISIANA SEEK RECOGNITION?

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RAISE A POINT OF ORDER AGAINST H.RESS 767 FOR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE THE WAIVER CLAUSE 2J1 OF 11 PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 6G OF RULE 13 WHICH REQUIRES THE RULES COMMITTEE TO SPECIFY THEIR REPORT ANY WAIVER OF A POINT OF ORDER AGAINST A MEASURE UNDER CONSIDERATION.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS UNDERLYING RESOLUTION VIOLATES CLAUSE 2J1 OF RULE 11 WHICH ENTITLES THE MINORITY TO -- OF THE COMMITTEE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CALL WITNESSES TO TESTIFY DURING AT LEAST ONE DAY OF A HEARING ON ANY GIVEN MEASURE.

THIS WAS NOT AFFORDED TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MINORITY MEMBERS DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

DESPITE NUMEROUS REQUESTS BY THE MINORITIES MEMBERS.

THEREFORE, I RAISE A POINT OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF THE RULE AND THE UNDERLYING RESOLUTION FOR THE VIOLATION OF MINORITY RIGHTS AND THE DENIAL OF THIS EVIDENCE TO BE PUT INTO THE RECORD AND FOR THIS HEARING, WHICH THE HOUSE RULES REQUIRE, WHICH WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AND WAS DENIED, I WOULD URGE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS RULE.

>> THE GENTLEMEN FROM LOUISIANA SEEKS TO RAISE A POINT OF ORDER AGAINST HOUSE RESOLUTION 767 ON THE GROUNDS THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE RESOLUTION FAILS TO SPECIFY A WAIVER OF A PARTICULAR POINT OF ORDER AND IS THUS IN VIOLATION OF 6G OF RULE 13.

THE GENTLEMEN IS STATING A MATTER FOR DEBATE RATHER THAN A PROPER POINT OF ORDER.

CLASS 6G OF RULE 13 IS MERELY INFORMATIONAL ON ANY SPECIFIED WAIVER TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE.

AS ELUCIDATED BY CHAIRMAN SOLOMON IN A LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ACCOMPANYING THE ADOPTION OF THIS RULE IN THE 10 104th CONGRESS, ANY FAILURE OF THE RULES COMMITTEE TO SPECIFY WAIVERS IN A RULE WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO A POINT OF ORDER AGAINST THIS SPECIAL RULE THAT WAIVES ALL POINTS OF ORDER.

THE CHAIR WOULD, THEREFORE, ADVISE THE GENTLEMEN AGAIN THAT HE IS NOT STATING A PROPER POINT OF ORDER.

THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MADAM SPEAKER.

THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MADAM SPEAKER FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY I YIELD A CUSTOMARY 30 MINUTES THE DISTINGUISHED MAN FROM OAK WOKE MY GOOD FRIEND MR. COLE, PENDING WHICH I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

DURING CONSIDERATION OF THIS RESOLUTION, ALL TIME IS YIELDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY.

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS BE GIVEN FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

MADAM SPEAKER, ON TUESDAY, THE RULES COMMITTEE MET AND REPORTED A CLOSED RULE FOR HOUSE RESOLUTION 767.

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.RES755, IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

THE RULE PROVIDES SIX HOURS OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED IN CONTROL BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE -- >> LET'S GO BACK TO LISA DESJARDINS.

LISA, EXPLAIN WHAT WE JUST SAW, THE CLERK READING THE RULES ADOPTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT, AND THEN WE SAW REJECTION AND REJECTION OF THAT OBJECTION.

>> THAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE STEVE SCALISE.

HE IS THE SECOND HIGHEST RANKING REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE.

HE IS ESSENTIALLY, AGAIN, RAISING THE REPUBLICAN IDEA THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BROKEN THE RULES OF THE HOUSE HERE AND NOT PROVIDED REPUBLICANS ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO GET -- HAVE THEIR OWN HEARING, GET THEIR OWN TESTIMONY FOR IMPEACHMENT.

YOU SAW THEN THE PRESIDING OFFICER, RIGHT NOW THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE DIANA DeGETTE, REJECT THAT, SAYING THAT WAS NOT A POINT OF ORDER.

INSTEAD, THAT WAS A POINT OF DEBATE.

AND WHAT WAS INTERESTING IS THAT REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY DIDN'T TRY TO APPEAL HER RULING.

THEY COULD HAVE PERHAPS PUSHED THAT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

BUT THEY MADE THEIR POINT.

THEY BELIEVE THE RULES HAVE BEEN BROKEN.

THEY SAT DOWN.

AND NOW WE SEE THE DEBATE UNDERWAY OVER THE RULE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE LATER TODAY.

THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE JIM McGOVERN OF MASSACHUSETTS.

HE'S THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

HE GOVERNS MUCH OF THE PROCESS IN THE HOUSE TECHNICALLY.

AND HE IS LAYING OUT THE DEMOCRATIC CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT, WHY THEY WANT TO HAVE A LONGER -- A SIX-HOUR DEBATE LATER TODAY, WHICH IS WHAT THIS RULE WOULD DO.

IT WOULD SET UP SIX HOURS OF IMPEACHMENT DEBATE BEGINNING AFTER THE RULES VOTE HAPPENS.

>> AS LISA JUST SAID, WE ARE WATCHING REPRESENTATIVE McGOVERN OF MASSACHUSETTS, CHAIRMAN OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

WE WILL ALSO HEAR FROM REPRESENTATIVE TOM COLE, OF OKLAHOMA, THE MINORITY MEMBER, THE REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

THIS IS ONE-HOUR DEBATE OR SO ABOUT THE RULE ITSELF, AS LISA WAS SAYING, THAT WOULD LEAD TO SIX HOURS DEBATE OVER IMPEACHMENT.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AND LISTEN TO REPRESENTATIVE McGOVERN.

>> BY THE RULE OF LAW, BY THE RULE OF -- TO DECIDE EACH -- WITH EACH PASSING DAILY WHAT A NATION DEFINED ABOUT I THE RULE OF LAW WAS WILLING TO TOLERATE.

THAT IS WHAT BRINGS US HERE TODAY, TO DECIDE NEARLY 2 1/2 CENTURIES LATER WHETHER THE UNITED STATES IS STILL A NATION WHERE NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW OR WHETHER AMERICA BECOMES A LAND RUN BY THOSE WHO ACT MORE LIKE KINGS OR QUEENS, AS IF THE LAW DOESN'T APPLY TO THEM.

YES, MADAM SPEAKER, THIS REALLY IS THAT SERIOUS.

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> WHERE WITNESSES OUT OUTLINE THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN THIS SCHEME.

THE EVIDENCE IS AS CLEAR AS IT IS OVERWHELMING.

IF A PRESIDENT UNDERMINING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND USING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR HIS OWN SELFISH PERSONAL GAIN IS NOT IMPEACHABLE CONDUCT, THEN, MADAME SPEAKER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

NOW, I'VE HEARD SOME ON THE OTHER SIDE SUGGEST THIS PROCESS IS ABOUT OVERTURNING AN ELECTION.

THAT IS ABSURD.

THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY!

THESE FACTS ARE BEYOND DISPUTE.

THE ONLY QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER WE ARE WILLING TO TOLERATE SUCH CONDUCT.

NOT JUST TODAY BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT FURTHERMORE, BY ANY PRESIDENT OF EITHER PARTY TO NOT ACT WOULD SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT, NOT JUST FOR THIS PRESIDENT, BUT FOR EVERY FUTURE PRESIDENT.

11 MONTHS AGO, MANY OF US TOOK AN OATH RIGHT HERE IN THIS CHAMBER.

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO TAKE THAT OATH 12 TIMES NOW, AND I BELIEVE IT IS NOT JUST FOR SHOW.

IT IS A CONTRACT BETWEEN EACH OF US AND THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT, TO PLACE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS ABOVE PARTISAN INTERESTS.

AND TO PRESERVE THOSE LAWS THAT MAKE OUR COUNTRY UNIQUE.

WE CANNOT RECONCILE THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WITH THE OATH OF OFFICE THAT WE TOOK.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE ARE BEING TESTED ON SOMETHING GREATER THAN OUR ABILITY TO TOW A PARTY LINE.

SOMETHING MORE THAN OUR ABILITY TO SCORE THE GREAT TELEVISION SOUND BYTE.

THIS IS A DEMOCRACY-DEFINING MOMENT.

HISTORY WILL JUDGE US BY WHETHER WE KEEP INTACT THAT FRAGILE REPUBLIC, HANDED DOWN TO US BY OUR FORBEARERS MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO.

OR WHETHER WE ALLOW IT TO BE CHANGED FOREVER.

FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE, I HOPE AND I PRAY THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.

I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMEN RESERVES.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

MADAM SPEAKER, I THANK MY GOOD FRIEND THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS,.

>> THANK YOU,.

WELL, MADAM SPEAKER, TODAY IS A VERY SAD DAY FOR ALL OF US, FOR ME PERSONALLY, FOR THE RULES COMMITTEE, FOR THE ENTIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN MY LIFE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE VOTING TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

BUT UNLIKE IN 1998, THE DECISION TO HAVE THIS VOTE IS NOT THE RESULT OF A BIPARTISAN PROCESS NOR AN OPEN OR FAIR PROCESS.

INSTEAD, IT'S GOING TO BE A DEEPLY PARTISAN VOTE COMING AT THE END OF AN UNFAIR AND RUSHED PROCESS PRESCRIBED SOLELY BY DEMOCRATS TO ENSURE A PREDETERMINED RESULT.

IMPEACHMENT OF A PRESIDENT IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL ACTS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CAN UNDERTAKE, AND IT SHOULD ONLY BE DONE AFTER THE FULLEST AND MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.

YET TODAY AFTER A TRUNCATED INVESTIGATION THAT DENIED THE PRESIDENT DUE PROCESS, CHERRYPICKED EVIDENCE AND WITNESS TESTIMONY TO FIT THEIR NARRATIVE AND TRAMPLED ON REPUBLICANS MINORITY RIGHTS, DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE ARE PRESSING FORWARD WITH A PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT VOTE.

DOING SO CONTRADICTS SPEAKER PELOSI'S OWN WORDS BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR WHEN SHE SAID THAT, "AN IMPEACHMENT IS SO DIVISIVE TO THE COUNTRY THAT, UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING SO COMPELLING AND OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO DOWN THAT PATH BECAUSE IT DIVIDES THE COUNTRY."

BUT IF WE'RE REALLY BEING HONEST, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A REASON TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP SINCE THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED.

IN DECEMBER OF 2017, A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE MAJORITY FORCED A VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT, AND EVEN THEN, LONG BEFORE THERE WAS EVEN AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION, 58 DEMOCRATS VOTED TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

AND THOSE MEMBERS HAVE ONLY GROWN SINCE THEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE MAJORITY IS NOW PUSHING FORWARD WITH A FINAL VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT HEEDLESS OF WHERE IT TAKES THE COU COUNTRY D REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT TAKES THEIR CASE.

IF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE MAJORITY HAVE PROVEN THEIR CASE, LET ME BE CLEAR.

THEY HAVE NOT.

THE ENTIRE PREMISE OF THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT RESTS ON A PAUSE PLACED ON UKRAINIAN SECURITY ASSISTANCE, A PAUSE OF 55 DAYS.

THE MAJORITY HAS SPUN CREATED NARRATIVES AS TO THE MEANING AND MOTIVE OF THIS PAUSE ALLEGING THE PRESIDENT DEMANDED A "QUID PRO QUO" BUT WITH NO FACTUAL EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP.

SECURITY AID TO THE UKRAINE WAS RELEASED.

THE ADMINISTRATION DID SO WITHOUT THE UKRAINIAN EVER INITIATING AN INVESTIGATION INTO ANYONE OR ANYTHING.

IT'S EVEN MORE STARTLING TO ME THAT THE MAJORITY WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS RESOLUTION GIVEN HOW SUBSTANTIALLY FLAWED AND PROCEDURALLY DEFECTIVE THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, WHICH DRAFTED THESE PARLIAMENT, ENGAGED IN A -- ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT, THEY DID NOT CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION, AND ONLY HELD TWO HEARINGS ON THIS TOPIC BEFORE DRAFTING THE ARTICLES.

ONE WAS STAFF AND ONE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SCHOLARS.

THAT'S HARDLY THE TYPE OF LENGTHY AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION A. TIC AS GRAVE AS IMPEACHMENT DEMANDS.

THE COMMITTEE ACTUALLY CHARGED WITH AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION WAS THE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE, NOT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

BUT THAT COMMITTEE TOO FOLLOWED A PRIMARILY CLOSED PROCESS.

REPUBLICANS WERE DENIED THE RIGHT TO CALL WITNESSES OR SUBPOENA DOCUMENTS.

AND THE PRESIDENT WAS DENIED THE RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION IN THE COMMITTEE'S HEARINGS WITHOUT RESPECTING MINORITY RIGHTS AND WITHOUT RESPECTING DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDENT, HOW CAN ANYONE CONSIDER THIS A FAIR PROCESS?

MADAM SPEAKER, IT GETS WORSE.

THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT WE ARE CONSIDERING TODAY ARE BASED ON THE SCHIFF REPORT.

THE FINAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED BY THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND TRANSMITTED TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

BUT THE SCHIFF REPORT INCLUDES UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS.

IT INCLUDES IN SOME CASES NEWS REPORTS AS THE ONLY EVIDENCE SUPPORTING SO-CALLED FACTUAL ASSERTIONS, AND IT INCLUDES AT LEAST 54 DIFFERENT HEARSAY STATEMENTS AS ASSERTIONS OF EVIDENCE WITHOUT ANY FIRSTHAND INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES TO COOPERATE THOSE STATEMENTS -- CORROBORATE THOSE STATEMENTS.

THE AUTHOR OF THE REPORT, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF, WAS NEVER QUESTIONED BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, AND HE REFUSED TO SIT FOR QUESTIONS OR EXPLAIN HOW HIS COMMITTEE CONDUCTED ITS INVESTIGATION.

IN FACT, DURING THE STAFF PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE THAT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE RANKING MEMBER COLLINS ASKED HOW THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED THAT RESULTED IN THE DRAFTING OF THE SCHIFF REPORT?

BUT HE NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER.

DURING THE RULES COMMITTEE, CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 755, THERE WERE NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN THE MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE POSED QUESTIONS TO OUR WITNESSES.

QUESTIONS THEY COULD NOT ANSWER BECAUSE THEY SIT ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND WERE NOT THE AUTHOR OF THE REPORT THAT BROUGHT ABOUT H. RES 755.

THE URGE A HAS NEVER APPEARED BEFORE MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY TO EXPLAIN A SINGLE THING IN THE REPORT NOR TO PROVIDE FACTUAL INFORMATION SUPPORTING THE MANY ASSERTIONS IT CONTAINS.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS NO WAY TO GO ABOUT IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE ARTICLES BEFORE US ARE BASED ON VERY LIMITED INFORMATION.

THEY ARE BASED ON HEARSAY, ON NEWS REPORTS, AND ON OTHER UNSUPPORTED ALLEGATIONS.

THEY ARE BASED ON A REPORT WRITTEN BY A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THE ALLEGATIONS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION, ACTUALLY RISE TO THE LEVEL OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, WHEN REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTED TO EXERCISE ONE OF THEIR RIGHTS UNDER HOUSE RULES, THEY WERE SHUT DOWN BY CHAIRMAN NADLER.

UNDER CLAUSE 2J1 OF RULE 11, THE MINORITY IS ALLOWED TO DEMAND A MINORITY HEARING DAY.

ON DECEMBER 4th, THE REPUBLICANS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PROPERLY EXERCISED THAT RIGHT AND TRANSMITTED A DEMAND TO CHAIRMAN NADLER FOR A HEARING DAY AT WHICH THE MINORITY COULD CALL THEIR OWN WITNESSES.

AND TO BE CLEAR, MADAM SPEAKER, A MINORITY HEARING DAY IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE CHAIR'S DISCRETION.

IT IS A RIGHT AND REPUBLICANS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PROPERLY DEMANDED THE EXERCISE OF THAT RIGHT.

AND YET CHAIRMAN NADLER DECLINED TO ALLOW A MINORITY HEARING DAY TO BE HELD BEFORE THE VOTING OF THESE ARTS.

I -- ARTICLES.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO THE INSTITUTION AND FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO ALLOW ALL VOICES TO BE HEARD AND ALL WITNESSES TO BE QUESTIONED BEFORE PROCEEDING TO A VOTE ON SOMETHING AS THIS CONS QUENK.

AND YET THE MAJORITY TRANCHED ON THAT RIGHT.

BUT I SUPPOSE I SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED BY ANY OF THIS WHEN THE HOUSE PASSED H. RES 660, SETTING UP THE OFFICIAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TWO MONTHS AGO, I WARNED THAT HOUSE -- THAT THE MAJORITY WAS DOING WAS SETTING UP A CLOSED UNFAIR PROCESS THAT COULD ONLY HAVE ONE OUTCOME, AND TODAY WE ARE SEEING THE END RESULT OF THIS CLOSED AND UNFAIR PROCESS.

A QUICK RUSH TO JUDGMENT FORCED THROUGH NOT ONE BUT TWO COMMITTEES IN SHORT ORDER WITH MINORITY RIGHTS TRAMPLED, WITNESSES LEFT UNQUESTIONED, AND DUE PROCESS IGNORED.

IT IS ALSO DISAPPOINTING THAT MEMBERS ARE NOT BEING GIVEN MORE TIME TO DEBATE THIS ISSUE ON THE FLOOR.

LAST NIGHT AT RULES COMMITTEE, I OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF FLOOR TIME DEBATE FROM SIX TO 12 HOURS.

THIS WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF DEBATE TIME USED IN THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT.

AND IT WOULD HAVE ENSURED THAT ALL MEMBERS COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE FLOOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT AMENDMENT WAS NOT ACCEPTED.

WHILE I KNOW MY FRIEND CHAIRMAN McGOVERN DID THE BEST HE COULD, I DO THINK IT'S IRONIC THAT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE 13 MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE SPENT MORE TIME DISCUSSING LR LR 755 IN RULES COMMITTEE THAN WE WILL SPEND ON THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR EVERY MEMBER TODAY.

I THINK THAT'S A DISSERVICE TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE DESERVE BETTER THAN A FLAWED PROCESS THAT LED TO THIS FLAWED OUTCOME.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT.

THE PRESIDENT CERTAINLY DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.

I OPPOSE PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER.

I OPPOSE THE RULE.

I OPPOSE THIS LIMITED AND UNFAIR PROCESS.

I CERTAINLY OPPOSE IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WITH THAT, I URGE OPPOSITION TO THE RULE, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMEN RESERVES.

GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

I WANT -- TO INSERT IN THE RECORD A STATEMENT -- A LETTER THAT I SENT WITH REGARD TO THE MEMBERS DAY.

I WANT -- I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CORRECT THE RECORD THAT IT WAS ZERO POINTS OF ORDER LIE AGAINST H. RES 755.

>> I WANT TO YIELD MYSELF 20 SECONDS.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED.

WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD ALL BE FOCUSED ON AND NOT THE PROCESS.

I'M PROUD OF THE PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.

MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AT EVERY STAGE OF THIS PROCESS FROM SITTING IN AND ASKING QUESTIONS IN CLOSED.

DOOR DEPOSITIONS TO QUESTIONING WITNESSES TO OPEN HEARINGS.

17ENS,S WERE DEPOSED AND HELD 7 PUBLIC HEARINGS WHICH INCLUDED REPUBLICAN WITNESSES.

THEY PRODUCED A REPORT THAT LAID OUT THEIR FINDINGS AND EVIDENCE.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THEN TOOK THAT REPORT AND CONDUCTED TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS EVALUATING THE EVIDENCE AND THE LEGAL STANDARD FOR IMPEACHMENT BEFORE -- REPORTING OUT OUT THE TWO ARTICLES -- >> THE GENTLEMEN'S TIME IS EXPIRED.

>> I YIELD MYSELF AN ADDITIONAL 15 SECONDS.

>> THE GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AGAINST HIM.

HE CHOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP TO DATE HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EXPULL TORY EVIDENCE BUT INSTEAD HAS BLOCKED NUMEROUS WITNESSES FROM TESTIFYING ABOUT HIS ACTIONS.

AT THIS POINT, MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMEN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. CLI-BORN.

>> THE GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED.

ANK YOU.

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY FEELING THE FULL WEIGHT OF MY DUTY AS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY, REFLECTING UPON OUR OATH OF OFFICE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

IT IS MY SINCERE BELIEF THAT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT BRING US HERE TODAY, THERE IS ONLY ONE PATH FOR US TO TAKE TO FULFILL THAT OATH.

THOMAS PAYNE IN THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PAMPHLETS ENTITLED THE AMERICAN CRISIS PUBLISHED 243 YEARS AGO TOMORROW IN TONE THAT THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT DRIVE MEN'S SOULS.

THE SUMMER SOLDIERS AND SUNSHINE PATRIOTS WILL END THIS CRISIS FROM THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY, BUT HE UNDERSTANDS IT BUY IT NOW DESERVES LOVE AND THANKS OF MAN AND WOMAN.

TYRANNY, LIKE HELL, IS NOT EASILY CONQUERED.

THESE WORDS WERE WRITTEN AT A TIME WHEN OUR FOUNDERS WERE REBELLING AGAINST A TYRANNICAL RULE OF THE BRITISH MONARCHY.

TODAY WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO SEEMS TO BELIEVE HE IS A KING OR ABOVE THE LAW.

PAYNE WARNED US THAT SO UNLIMITED OF POWER CAN BELONG ONLY TO GOD ALMIGHTY.

MY FAITH LEADS ME TO TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THE FOLLOWING WORDS OF OUR OATH TO FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE SO HELP ME GOD.

MADAM SPEAKER, THREE DAYS AGO, I JOINED WITH THE BIPARTISAN DELEGATION OF OUR COLLEAGUES CELEBRATING THE 75 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE.

WE LAID WREATHS AT THE MEMORIALS OF GENERALS GEORGE PATTON AND ANTHONY McCULLIVE.

WE VISITED FOXX HOLES THAT WERE OCCUPIED BY SOME BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN SOME OF THE WORST WINTER WEATHER EVER VISITED UPON THE BATTLEFIELD.

AND WE VISITED THE LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY, THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF THOUSANDS OF THEM AND GENERAL GEORGE PATTON.

THEY WERE NOT SUMMER SOLDIERS IN THEIR EFFORTS 75 YEARS AGO TO PRESERVE THE REPUBLIC AND WE MUST NOT BE SUNSHINE PATRIOTS TODAY IN OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION UPON WHICH THIS GREAT REPUBLIC STANDS.

WHILE OUR FIGHT IS NOT IN THE TRENCHES OF BATTLEFIELDS BUT IN THE HALLOWED HALLS OF THIS CONGRESS, OUR DUTY IS NO LESS PATRIOTIC.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMEN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD MYSELF 15 SECONDS JUST TO RESPOND TO MY FRIEND.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED.

PRESIDENT PRESIDENT FOR THE PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE RECORD WAS NOT PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHALLENGE THE FACTS AND STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED THE MATERIALS FROM THE JUDICIARY REQUIRED BY H. RES 660.

I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD TO THE JALT GENTLELADY FROM WYOMING FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST.

>> SO RECOGNIZED.

I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO AMEND H. RES 767 TO PROVIDE FOR VOTING BY A MANUAL CALL OF THE ROLE SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN SEE PRECISELY WHO IS SUPPORTING THE IMPEACHMENT OF A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

MEMBERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO STAND AND IDENTIFY THEMSELVES OPENLY AND ON CAMERA ON THE QUESTION OF ADOPTION OF THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> OUR TIME HAS BEEN YIELDED FOR THE YOU OF DEBATE BY THE GENTLEMEN OF MASSACHUSETTS.

DOES THE GENTLEMEN OF MASSACHUSETTS YIELD FOR THIS UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST?

>> I DO NOT.

THEREFORE, UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST CANNOT BE ENTERTAINED.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TO MY GOOD FRIEND, THE GENTLEMEN FROM MISSOURI, FOR PURPOSE OF THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST.

>> GENTLEMEN SHALL STATE HIS REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. SPEAKER -- MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO AMEND H. RES 767 TO PROVIDE FOR 12 HOURS OF DEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED BY THE MAJORITY AND THE MINORITY WHICH WOULD ALLOW EACH MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AT LEAST 1:40 OF DEBATE OPPOSED TO 50 SECONDS.

THE REPRESENTATIVES DERVE THE RIGHT -- MORE RIGHT OF MORE THAN 50 SECONDS TO BE HEARD IN THIS PARTICULAR MATTER.

>> ALL TIME HAS BEEN YIELDED, AS I SAID, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEBATE BY THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

DOES THE GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS YIELD FOR THIS UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST?

THE GENTLEMEN DOES NOT YIELD.

THEREFORE, THIS UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST CANNOT BE ENTERTAINED.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER.

I WANT TO YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO MY GOOD FRIEND THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF BOTH THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, DR. BURGESS OF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED FOR FOUR MINUTES.

>> I THANK THE GENTLEMEN FOR YIELDING.

MADAM SPEAKER, YESTERDAY RULES COMMITTEE SPENT EIGHT HOURS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO BRING H. RES 755, THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

GIVEN THE 49:00 RATIO, IT IS NO -- 4:9 RATIO, IT'S NO SURPRISE WE, ARE CONSIDERING THE ARTICLES BEFORE US.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS REMAIN IN OPPOSITION TO EACH OTHER ON OUR CONCLUSIONS.

AS OUTLINED YESTERDAY BY RANKING MEMBER COLLINS AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE THROUGH DIRECT QUOTES, SOME DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SEEKING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT SINCE HIS INAUGURATION.

THE RUSH TO IMPEACH FIRST AND SOLIDIFY THE CASE SECOND THREATENS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PROCESS AND THREATENS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE BODY ENGAGED THIS VERY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IN FACT, IT'S BEEN QUOTED BEFORE, AND IT WILL BE QUOTED AGAIN TODAY, I SUSPECT, CHAIRMAN NADLER RECOGNIZED THE GRAVITY OF IMPEACHMENT WHEN HE STATED IN DECEMBER OF 1998 QUOTING HERE, "THE EFFECT OF IMPEACHMENT IS TO OVERTURN THE POPULAR WILL OF THE VOTERS AS EXPRESSED IN A NATIONAL ELECTION.

THERE MUST NEVER BE A NARROWLY VOTED IMPEACHMENT OR AN IMPEACHMENT CUBSTANTIALLY SUPPORTED BY ONE OF OUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND LARGELY OPPOSED BY THE OTHER.

SUCH AN IMPEACHMENT WOULD LACK LEGITIMACY AND PRODUCE DIVISIVENESS AND BITTERNESS IN OUR POLITICS FOR YEARS TO COME AND WILL CALL INTO QUESTION THE VERY LEGITIMACY OF OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS."

WELL, ON OCTOBER 31st, THIS HOUSE VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE OFFICIAL IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION IN H. RES 660.

IT DID NOT INCLUDE THE ROBUST MINORITY PROTECTIONS AFFORD THE MINORITY PARTY IN PREVIOUS IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATIONS.

EVEN MORE CONCERNING, CHAIRMAN NADLER, CHAIRMAN SCHIFF, REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE VERY RULES OF THE HOUSE IN GRANTING ACCESS TO COMMITTEE RECORDS FOR MEMBERS AND SCHEDULING A MINORITY HEARING IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

THUS PREVENTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM BEING EQUALLY REPRESENTED IN THE PROCESS.

REFUSING TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO ACCESS THEIR OWN RECORDS, THESE ARE ELECTIONS OF THE -- RECORDS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ACCESS THESE RECORDS.

THEY WERE IN SECRET BY ARMED GUARDS IN INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE BUT IT'S REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 2E, RULE 11.

THEY'VE DENIED MEMBERS THE ABILITY TO DO THEIR JOB.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DID NOT HEAR TESTIMONY FROM EVEN ONE FACT WITNESS, NOT EVEN ONE.

AFTER THEY RECEIVED A DELUGE OF MATERIALS FROM THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE.

THIS REVERSAL OF RESPONSIBILITY IS INDEED UNPRECEDENTED.

BUT TURNING TO THE CASE UPON WHICH THE ARGUMENT IS BASED, WE HAD A WHISTLE-BLOWER.

NOT A FACT WITNESS.

A WHISTLE-BLOWER WHO NEVER APPEARED BEFORE ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS THAT WE KNOW OF, A WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT CONCERNING A CONGRATULATORY CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND ZELENSKY OF UKRAINE.

REPUBLICANS WERE DENIED ANY CONTACT.

THE WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT IS NOT BASED ON FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE, AND THE CALL TRANSCRIPT THAT WAS TO SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT REVEALS NOTHING MORE THAN A CONGRATULATORY PHONE CALL.

LOOK, A REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION INTO HOW AMERICAN FOREIGN AID WILL BE SPENT DOES NOT -- DOES NOT EQUAL SOLICITING ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

THEST BROUGHT THE EVIDENCE BROUGHT BEFORE US DOES NOT AMOUNT TO A HIGH CRIME.

INDEED, IT DOES NOT AMOUNT TO ANY CRIME.

DEMOCRATS CLAIM THAT WE MUST PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION.

LOOK, IF YOU REALLY CARED, THEN I HAVE TO ASK, WHAT ARE WE MISSING WHILE WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON IMPEACHMENT?

WE TIED UP THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE.

WE'VE TIED UP THE JUDICIARY COMMIT EVEN AND, OH, BY THE WAY, THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE HAD TO GIVE UP THEIR ROOM.

THEY CAN'T EVEN MEET WHILE YOU WERE DOING ALL THIS.

SO THIS IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION IS BEING PAINTED AS A PROTECTION AGAINST FUTURE INTERFERENCE WHEN IN REALITY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REQUEST LOOKS BACK AT THE 2016 ELECTION.

RUSSIA IS THE WINNER IN THIS EXCHANGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE -- >> GENTLEMEN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

I YIELD BACK TO THE GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THE GENTLEMEN IS PASSIONATE ABOUT RECORDS.

I SHOULD REMIND HIM THAT WE'VE GOTTEN NO RECORDS FROM THIS WHITE HOUSE, NOT A SINGLE DOCUMENT.

AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMENWOMAN FROM FLORIDA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I COME TO IMPEACHMENT WITH DEEP SADNESS.

THE FACTS OF THIS CASE ARE PAINFUL AND INDISPUTABLE.

WE KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT ILLEGALLY HELD UP CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED AID TO THE UKRAINE.

WE KNOW THAT HE CONDITIONED THE RELEASE OF THIS AID ON UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S OPENING AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON A DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT HIS POLITICAL RIVAL AND INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ACTIVELY BLOCKED CONGRESSIONAL ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF HIS MISCONDUCT BY ORDERING EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS TO DEFY SUBPOENAS AND WITHHOLD INFORMATION.

DESPITE THE UNPRESSENTED OBSTRUCTION FROM THE PRESIDENT, THE EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE IS POWERFUL ENOUGH THAT TO DELAY THIS VOTE ANY FURTHER WOULD RISK INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND THE PERMANENT EROSION OF OUR SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF POLITICS.

THIS IS A MATTER OF PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR DEMOCRACY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

AS WE LABOR TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS MANY OF THE GREAT HALLMARKS OF OUR SOCIETY, WE MUST ALSO WORK WITH ACTIVE STEWARDSHIP AND VIGILANCE TO PASS ON A VIBRANT AND FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY.

IF WE DON'T DO OUR DUTY TO PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION, THE REPUBLIC THAT WE HAND TO OUR CHILDREN WILL BE LESS VIBRANT.

IF WE DO NOT DO OUR DUTY TO PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION, THE REPUBLIC THAT WE HAND TO OUR CHILDREN WILL BE LESS RESILIENT AND LESS EFFECTIVE -- >> THE GENTLEMENLADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO MY VERY GOOD FRIEND AND FELLOW MEMBER OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, THE GENTLELADY FROM ARIZONA, MISS LESKO.

>> THANK YOU, MR. COLE, FOR YIELDING ME THE TIME.

MADAM SPEAKER, YOU KNOW, GOD TAKES US ON JOURNEYS IN OUR LIFE, AND ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO, I WAS MARRIED TO AN ABUSIVE EX-HUSBAND.

AND WHEN I FINALLY LEFT HIM, THERE WERE TIMES IN MY LIFE I HAD NO MONEY AND NO PLACE TO LIVE.

AND I TELL YOU WHAT, I NEVER DREAMED IN A MILLION YEARS THAT I WOULD BE STANDING HERE TODAY AS A CONGRESSWOMAN IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND I TELL YOU WHAT, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT I WOULD BE STANDING HERE TALKING ABOUT IMPEACHMENT OF A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE RULES COMMITTEE.

I HAVE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS READING TRANSCRIPTS, LOOKING AT DOCUMENTS, HEARING TESTIMONY.

AND I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE MOST UNFAIR, POLITICALLY BIASED, RIGGED PROCESS THAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

HERE ARE THE FACTS.

THERE IS NO PROOF, NONE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS COMMITTED AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

NOT ONE OF THE DEMOCRAT WITNESSES, NOT ONE!

WAS ABLE TO ESTABLISH THAT THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED BRIBERY, TREASON OR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS AS REQUIRED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

AND, AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, THE DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY UNDERMINING THEIR OWN, OWN ARGUMENT HERE, BECAUSE 17 OUT OF THE 24 DEMOCRAT MEMBERS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED HERE ON THIS FLOOR TO PUT FORWARD -- MOVE FORWARD ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ON JULY 17th OF THIS YEAR BEFORE THE -- PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL EVEN TOOK PLACE.

AND 5 OUT OF THE 9 RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS DID THE SAME THING.

SO IF YOUR ARGUMENT IS THAT THIS PHONE CALL IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE, WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENG IMPEACHMENT FORWARD BEFORE THE CALL EVEN TOOK PLACE?

THE PROCESS HAS BEEN RIGGED FROM THE START.

MY -- OTHER MEMBERS HAVE TOLD YOU.

I MEAN NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE WE HAD IMPEACHMENT THAT'S GONE THROUGH THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE IN CLOSED-DOOR HEARINGS, WHERE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, MYSELF, WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO ASK ONE SINGLE QUESTION OF A FACT WITNESS?

THE WHOLE THING'S BEEN RIGGED, BEEN UNFAIR.

IN THE PROCESS THAT YOU HAD SET FORTH, YOU MADE SURE THAT THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T HAVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE HIS COUNSEL THERE UNTIL JUDICIARY, BUT BY THEN IT WAS TOO LATE.

IT WAS TOO LATE.

BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FACT WITNESSES ALLOWED IN JUDICIARY.

SO I COULDN'T EVEN ASK A QUESTION NOR COULD THE PRESIDENT.

THIS IS THE MOST PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR IT IN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR IT IN RULES.

AND NOT ONE REPUBLICAN, I DON'T THINK, IS GOING TO VOTE FOR IT HERE TODAY.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS A SAD DAY.

I BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATS ARE TEARING THIS COUNTRY APART.

THEY'RE TEARING FAMILIES APART.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS ALL OF YOU.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR GREAT NATION.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR.

GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, IF REPUBLICANS WANT TO DEFEND THE IT PRESIDENT'S INDEFENSIBLE BEHAVIOR, THEY CAN DO SO, BUT I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND UP FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND TO STAND UP FOR THIS COUNTRY.

AND AND OUR DEMOCRACY.

AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO YIELD 1:30 TO THE GENTLEMEN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. DeSAULNIER.

>> GENTLEMEN IS YIELDED 1:30.

THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK YOU THE LEADERSHIP OF THE RULES COMMITTEE, MR. McGOVERN, AND MR. COLE FOR OUR CIVILITY LAST NIGHT, ALTHOUGH IT WAS A LONG HEARING AND WE ARE VERY MUCH IN DISAGREEMENT, I FELT PROUD TO BE PART OF THAT HEARING AND I REALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE BOTH THE RANKING MEMBER AND THE CHAIR.

THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER IS PART OF THAT RULES COMMITTEE, AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THE PASSION THAT SHE DEMONSTRATED IN HER COMMENTS I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH HER, WHICH IS A STATEMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT WE FIND OURSELVES IN, AND I UNFORTUNATELY AGREE WITH SOME OF HER COMMENTS, BUT WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY IS, I WOULD PUT AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE PRESIDENT.

HE IS THE DEADVICIVE ONE.

HE IS NOT TRYING TO HEAL OUR WOUNDS.

THE REALITY AND URGENCY OF THIS MOMENT CANNOT BE MORE CONSEQUENTIAL TO THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP VIOLATED THE LAW AND SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTION.

AT THE SAME TIME OBJECTIVE EXPERTS HAVE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION AND IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN UNDERMINING THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

OUR VOTE TODAY AND THE SENATE'S ACTIONS ON IMPEACHMENT HAVE VERY REAL LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE IF THE SENATE DOES NOT REMOVE HIM.

THE PRESIDENT HAS A PATTERN OF ESCALATING BEHAVIOR.

THE DAY BEFORE THE SPECIAL COUNSEL TESTIFIED TO CONGRESS THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT INTERFERED IN OUR ELECTION IN SWEEPING AND SYSTEMIC FASHION, PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE THIS CALL.

TWO DAYS BEFORE THAT, THE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT ARTICLE 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS.

AS WASHINGTON WARNED IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS, FOREIGN INTERFERENCE TAMPERS WITH DOMESTIC FACTIONS.

WE MUST HONOR THE NATION OUR FOUNDERS AND IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT FOR VIOLATING LAW AND BETRAYING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMEN FROM OAK.

THANK YOU.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY VERY GOOD FRIEND, DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FORMER MEMBER OF THE RULES COMMITTEE, MR. BURNHAM OF ALABAMA.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> I RISE TO THE RULE AND TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE WHEN THE FRAMERS -- THEY FEARED IT WOULD BE ABUSED.

TODAY THOSE FEARS ARE REALIZED.

IN RECORD SPEED, THIS MAJORITY HAS ASSEMBLED HEARSAY, SPECULATION, AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERTURNING THE 2016 ELECTION.

WE'RE NOT HERE TODAY DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY HAS ASSEMBLED A CASE AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP.

NO, WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY BELIEVES GETTING IMPEACHMENT DONE NOW WILL PROVIDE THEIR VULNERABLE MEMBERS TIME TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR VOTE.

BUT I ASSURE YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE FROM DAY ONE REJECTED THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT ANOTHER PRESIDENT WILL COME ALONG MORE TO THE MAJORITY'S LIKING.

OUR ACTIONS HERE TODAY WILL BE REMEMBERED AND WILL SET THE STANDARD.

THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT SEEKS TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR FAILURE TO PRODUCE CERTAIN REQUESTED WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.

BUT AS THE MAJORITY KNOWS, EVERY PRESIDENT IN HISTORY HAS ASSERTED EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

THE HOUSE HAS A LEGAL AVENUE TO CHALLENGE THE PRESIDENT -- THE COURTS.

BUT THE MAJORITY HAS SKIPPED THIS STEP, SHOWING THAT THIS IS ABOUT IMPEACHMENT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, HOWEVER POSSIBLE.

MOST OF MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAD NO PROBLEM BACKING PRESIDENT OBAMA WHEN HE STONEWALLED THE HOUSE FOR YEARS TO BLOCK OUR QUEST TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH IN THE FAST AND FURIOUS INVESTIGATION.

THAT IS WHY I FILED AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION REJECTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE SAYING, BASED UPON THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY STANDARD, THEY SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA AND ERIC HOLDER.

I WISH MY COLLEAGUES WOULD THINK ABOUT THE STANDARD BEING SET.

I PREDICT THAT THEY WILL VERY SOON REGRET IT.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMEN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MISS TORRES.

>> THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THE FACTS ARE CLEAR.

TO QUOTE THE "USA TODAY" EDITORIAL BOARD, TRUMP USED YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO SHAKE DOWN A VULNERABLE FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE IN A U.S. ELECTION FOR HIS PERSONAL BENEFIT.

THE RULE OF LAW IS WHAT GIVES OUR GREAT COUNTRY ITS STRENGTH.

THE RULE OF LAW IS WHAT SEPARATES US FROM THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES, WHERE DICTATORS REIGN FOR DECADES ON END.

THE RULE OF LAW IS WHAT MAKES US THE ENVY OF THE WORLD.

THE PLACE THAT OTHER COUNTRIES LOOK TO AS THEY GROW THEIR OWN DEMOCRACIES.

AND IT IS THE RULE OF LAW TODAY.

WE NEVER WANT TO SEE THE RULE OF LAW DETERIORATE OR RAMPANT CORRUPTION TAKE HOLD.

WE NEVER WANT TO SEE THE DAY WHEN FUTURE GENERATIONS FLEE FOR REFUGE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

THE WAY THAT OTHERS ARE SEEKING REFUGE IN OUR SOUTHERN BORDER RIGHT NOW.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES.

AMERICAN VALUES IN OUR CONSTITUTION ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

>> THE GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

ANK YOU.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY VERY GOOD FRIEND, DISTINGUISHED LADY FROM INDIANA, ALSO DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

I RISE TODAY IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THIS RULE AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEVICIVE -- DEVISIVE BIPARTISANSHIP ON DISPLAY IN THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT'S NO SECRET THE DEMOCRATS HAVE UNT WAKED TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP SINCE DAY ONE REGARDLESS OF ANY FACT.

93 KNEW THE RESULT THEY WANTED.

THEY JUST NEEDED TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THERE.

SO THEY BEGAN THEIR IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, SELECTIVE LEAKS INSTEAD OF TRANSPARENCY, NO DUE PROCESS.

ONCE THEY CRAFTED THEIR PERFECT NARRATIVE, THEY MOVED ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THEY HELPED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH NOTICE THAT THEY FAILED TO UNCOVER ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY IMPEACHMENT.

THEY FAILED TO MAKE THE CASE FOR THIS DRASTIC ACTION, AND YET HERE WE ARE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, A PRESIDENT IS ON THE BRINK OF BEING PEAMENT WITH THE VOTES OF ONE SINGLE PARTY, BUT LET'S BE HERE ABOUT ONE THING.

THIS IMPEACHMENT OBSESSION IS NOT ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT'S NOT ABOUT JUSTICE.

IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S ABOUT PURE PARTISAN POLITICS AT ITS WORSE.

AND YOU'RE WATCHING IT RIGHT HERE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SEE RIGHT THROUGH THIS TODAY.

THEY'VE SEEN THE RIGGED PROCESS.

THEY'VE SEEN THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

AND THE COMPLETE ABSENCE OF ANY SUPPORTING EVIDENCE.

THEY KNOW THAT WASHINGTON'S BROKEN.

THAT'S WHY THEY SENT US HERE, TO FIX IT.

BUT INSTEAD, HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE DIVIDING THE COUNTRY AND FURTHER SHAKING THE PEOPLE'S TRUST IN THIS CONGRESS.

IT'S A SHAM IMPEACHMENT.

IT'S BEEN CARRIED OUT AT THE EXPENSE OF HARDWORKING AMERICANS WHO JUST WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS CHARADE SHOULD GO NO FARTHER.

WE SHOULD STOP WASTING TIME, FOCUS ON WHAT KEEPS OUR NATION MOVING FORWARD, HELPING WORKERS AND FAMILIES THRIVE, PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST THE RULE SO WE CAN GET BACK TO WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE ASSISTANT SPEAKER, MR. LOUHAN.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, NO ONE CAME TO CONGRESS TOAGE PEACH A PRESIDENT.

WE CAME HERE TO SOLVE THE MIGHTY ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE LIVES OF THE CONSTITUENTS WE PLEDGE TO SERVE.

I'M HERE BECAUSE TOO MANY FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT STILL RELY ON WATER TRUCKED IN FROM DOZENS OF MILES AWAY.

I'M HERE BECAUSE TOO MANY NEW MEX KARN CHILDREN STILL GO TO SCHOOL HUNGRY.

I'M HERE BECAUSE TOO MANY WOMEN IN NEW MEXICO DRIVE FOR HOURS TO FIND A DOCTOR ABLE TO CARE FOR THEM.

BUT THIS MOMENT HAS FOUND US.

WE'VE REACHED A POINT IN TIME WHERE OUR LOVE OF COUNTRY COMPELS ACTION.

WHERE OUR DUTY TO THIS REPUBLIC MANDATES THAT WE DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR IS SO BLATANTLY WRONG THAT IGNORING HIS ABUSES OF POWER WOULD BE ABDICATING THE OATH WE MADE TO PROTECT THIS COUNTRY AND UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION.

THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMEN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

IF WE DEFEAT THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, I WILL OFFER AN AMENDMENT ON THE RULE THE HOUSE SHALL NOT PROCEED TO CONSIDERATION OF THE UNDERLYING RESOLUTION UNTIL SIX CONDITIONS ARE MET.

ALL EVIDENCE AND THE IN THE -- IN THE POSSESSION OF CHAIRMAN SCHIFF HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THAT CHAIRMAN SCHIFF APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO TESTIFY TO THE REPORT HE AUTHORED.

ALL UNDERLYING UNCLASSIFIED EVIDENCE HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, MINORITY MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAVE RECEIVED THEIR RIGHT TO MINORITY HEARING DAY.

MINORITY WITNESSES REQUESTED BY THE RANKING -- BY RANKING MEMBER NUNES AND RANKING MEMBER COLLINS ARE CALLED AND ALLOWED TO BE HEARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH H. RES 660.

AND SUBPOENAS REQUESTED BY THE RANKING MEMBER NUNES AND THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE ARE ISSUED AND FORCED.

MY AMENDMENT ENSURES THAT THE MAJORITY DOES NOT PROCEED WITHOUT PROVIDING A FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS, ONE THAT RESPECTS MINORITY RIGHTS, ONES THAT OPENS UP THE INVESTIGATION TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND ONE THAT ALLOWS REPUBLICANS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE MOST RELEVANT WITNESSES.

PERHAPS MOST CRUCIALLY, IT WILL ALLOW ALL MEMBERS TO FULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE COMMITTEE THAT ACTUALLY CONDUCTED THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION THE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE.

THE PROCESS OF THE HOUSE HAS FOLLOWED HAS BEEN ABYSMAL.

IT WAS CLOSED AND UNFAIR PROCESS AND DID NOT RESPECT MINORITY RIGHTS AND DID NOT GIVE THE PRESIDENT DUE PROCESS.

BUT WE CAN CHANGE THAT TODAY.

IF WE DEFEAT THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, THE HOUSE WILL ONLY MOVE FORWARD WITH A REAL, THOROUGH AND ULTIMATELY FAIR PROCESS THAT ALL MEMBERS CAN BE PROUD.

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO INSERT THE TEXT OF MY AMENDMENT IN THE RECORD ALONG WITH EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

WITH THAT, I URGE NO VOTE ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY GOOD FRIEND, GENTLEMEN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THE GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I THANK MY GOOD FRIEND.

THE MAJORITY HAS THROWN ALMOST EVERY ALLEGATION IMAGINABLE AGAINST THIS PRESIDENT.

AND YET THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED CANNOT NAME A SINGLE ACTUAL CRIME.

AFTER ALL THE DRAMA, THE MAJORITY HAS NOT FOUND A SINGLE SHRED OF EVIDENCE, ONLY SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH-HAND INFORMATION, BUT THE FACTS HAVE REMAINED THE SAME.

THE TRANSCRIPT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.

THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT SAID THEY FELT NO PRESSURE WHATSOEVER.

THE AID ULTIMATELY CAME.

AND EVEN SPEAKER PELOSI SAID THAT THIS HOLE THING WOULD HAVE COMPELLING OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

NONE OF THOSE THINGS EXIST.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND AGAINST THE RULE IN THE FORTHCOMING ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THIS IS A DISGRACE AND DANGEROUS TO AMERICA.

AND I URGE A NO.

>> GENTLEMEN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEWOMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MISS CLARK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, TO PARAPHRASE ONE OF OUR FOUNDING MOTHERS, ABIGAIL ADAMS, A PEOPLE MAY LET A PRESIDENT FALL YET STILL REMAIN A PEOPLE.

BUT IF A PRESIDENT LETS HIS PEOPLE SLIP FROM HIM, HE IS NO LONGER A PRESIDENT.

JUST AS ABIGAIL ADAMS WARNED, DONALD TRUMP HAS LET THE PEOPLE SLIP FROM HIM HE WORKS FOR HIMSELF NOT US.

HE TRIED TO EXTORT A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INTO INVESTIGATING A POLITICAL RIVAL, AND HE IS UNLAWFULLY WITHHELD WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE.

IF WE WANT A DEMOCRACY, TODAY WE MUST STA FOR THE RULE OF LAW.

A VOTE TO IMPEACH IS A VOTE TO REMAIN A GOVERNMENT THAT IS OF, FOR, AND BY THE PEOPLE.

IT IS A VOTE BORN OF GREAT FEAR FOR OUR FUTURE, BUT ALSO ROOTED IN OPTIMISM, THAT IF WE STAND FOR THE TRUTH FOR OUR CONSTITUTION, WE CAN CONTINUE TO CREATE A COUNTRY OF LIBERTY, JUSTICE, AND EQUALITY FOR ALL.

I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> MIGHT I INQUIRE, MADAM SPEAKER, HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE REMAINING?

>> GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA HAS 5 BNT 25 MINUTES REMAINING.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD 90 SECONDS TO MY GOOD FRIEND THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN FROM NEW YORK.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AND MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS, OUR ALLIES IN THE MEDIA, THEY LIKE TO SAY REPUBLICANS ONLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROCESS, NOT SUBSTANCE, EVEN THOUGH WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT SUBSTANCE, AS WELL THEY DECLARE THE FACTS ARE UNCONTESTED.

THEY JUST DID IT AGAIN.

SO JUST TO MAYBE RECAP A FEW FOR EVERYONE WANT FER WATCHING AT HOME, ZEALS MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

FLOPPY, THEY'LL LISTEN.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SAID THERE WAS NO DEMAND, NO BRSH, NO QUID PRO QUO.

YOUR MAC SAID THE WHOLE STORY WITH REGARD TO THE MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND IS COMPLETELY REFUTED.

WE HEARD FROM AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HIMSELF WHO ADMITTED THAT HE HEARD FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE DIDN'T WANT ANY QUID PRO QUO.

AND THAT HE WAS GUESSING WHEN HE STATED OTHERWISE.

AMBASSADOR SON LAND, THAT IS, SAID HE WAS GUESSING AND THAT NO ONE ON THE PLANET HAD TOLD HIM OTHERWISE.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER TELLS US THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A HOLD ON AID UNTIL AFTER HE READ IT IN POLITICO ON JULY 29th.

THE AID GOT RELEASED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AND UKRAINE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING IN ORDER TO GET THE HOLD RELEASED.

WHEN OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHERSIDET AISLE SAYS THE JULY 25th TRANSCRIPT SAYS DO ME A FAVOR, IT SAYS DO US A FAVOR.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT PARAGRAPH, IT'S ONLY ABOUT UKRAINIANS INTERFERING IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

IF YOU WANT TO IGNORE THE ON SAID, WORKING WITH THE EMBASSY TO PICK UP DIRT, THE TO BRING DOWN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, WHETHER IT'S ORIGINS OF THE STEEL DOSSIER.

THESE ARE ALL EXAMPLES.

LOOK AT THE REPORTING FROM JANUARY 2017, IT IS IRREFUTABLE.

THESE ARE ALL SUBSTANCE.

SO STOP SAYING THE FACTS ARE UNCONTESTED.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMEN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UMAN MUSS CONSENT TO INSERT INTO THE RECORD PAGE 69 OF THE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE'S OPEN HEARING WHERE A DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LARA COOPER TESTIFIED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WAS NOT ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE ALL OF THE AID WITH $35 MILLION NOT PROVIDED SINCE IT WAS RELEASED SO LATE.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, IT'S ORDERED.

>> I ALSO TO INSERT INTO THE RECORD, AP ARTICLE ENTITLED U.S. OFFICIALS KNEW OF UKRAINE'S TRUMP ANXIETY.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, IT'S ORDERED.

>> AT THIS POINT, IDENTIFY I'M PROUD TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMEN OF MASSACHUSETTS MR. KENNEDY.

>> GENTLEMEN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> DEAR ELATION JAMES, THIS ELATION JAMES, THIS IS A MOMENT YOU'LL READ ABOUT IN YOUR HISTORY BOOKS.

TODAY I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRES PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHY.

HE BROKE OUR LAWS.

HE THREATENED OUR SECURITY.

HE ABUSED THE HIGHEST, MOST SACRED OFFICE IN OUR LAND.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IT DOES NOT FEEL GOOD.

I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THE COST TO OUR COUNTRY.

NOT JUST THE IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES BUT THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE OF A PRESIDENT WHO USES POWER LIKE A WEAPON AGAINST HIS OWN PEOPLE.

ERODES OUR DECENCY, EDID GRADES OUR DIGNITY -- DEGRADES OUR DIGNITY.

I DON'T YET KNOW HOW THEY WILL TELL THE STORY OF THIS ERA.

BUT I WANT TOERA, BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF THIS DAY.

LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT TODAY JUSTICE WON.

THAT WE DID OUR JOB.

THAT WE KEPT OUR WORD.

THAT WE STOOD OUR SACRED GROUND.

LET THE RECORD SHOW WE DID NOT LET YOU DOWN.

I LOVE YOU.

>> TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> GENTLEMEN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> I'M PROUD TO YIELD A MINUTE TO MRS. LEE.

>> MRS. LEE RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH.

MADAM SPEAKER, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY, I TAUGHT MY CHILDREN THAT THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES IF THEY BROKE THE LAW.

I'M SADDENED BUT I'M NOT SHOCKED THAT WE'RE HERE TODAY CONSIDERING ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I'M SADDENED BUT NOT SHOCKED BECAUSE OF THE PATTERN OF CORRUPTION.

YES, I'M SADDENED BUT I'M NOT SHOCKED.

THIS PRESIDENT HAS ROUTINELY SHOWN HIS DISREGARD OF CONGRESS AND THE RULE OF LAW.

THE FACTS ARE NOT IN DISPUTE.

THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER, DEFIED THE PUBLIC'S TRUST AND BETRAYED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HE'S UNDERMINED OUR ELECTIONS BUT SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE TO BENEFIT HIS OWN FUTURE ELECTION.

THEN HE OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS IN AN EFFORT TO COVER IT UP.

DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN AND REMAINS A THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, A CLEAR DANGER TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND UNFIT TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ACT TODAY TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, BUT ALSO TO SHOW OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

THAT INCLUDES THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RESERVE MY TIME.

>> I'M HAPPY TO YIELD A WOMAN MRS. TRAHAN.

>> TODAY I RISE TO DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY.

IN THIS CHAMBER, WE DEBATE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES AND OFTEN REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DRAW DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS.

BUT NOT TODAY.

THE FACTS ARE BLACK AND WHITE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN AND THEN HE ENGAGED IN A COVER-UP.

IT'S UP TO US TO CONFRONT THOSE FACTS AND VOTE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.

THIS IS NOT A FIGHT I OR MY COLLEAGUES SOUGHT OUT WHEN WE RAN FOR CONGRESS BUT IT'S ONE WE PLEDGED WHEN WE SWORE AND OATH TO DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION.

ANYTHING OTHER THAN A VOTE TO IMPEACH WILL BE READ AS A VOTE ENDORSING A FUTURE PRESIDENT WITHOUT RULES OR CONSEQUENCES.

ANYTHING GOES, NO HOLDS BARRED BRAND OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH AUTHORITY THAT WILL LEAVE US WEAKER AND SURELY UNDERMINE WHAT THE FRAMERS PASSED DOWN.

WE OWE IT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS TO TRANSCEND PERSONAL INTERESTS AND VOTE OUR CONSCIOUS FOR WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE TODAY, THE SANCTITY OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND SANCTITY OF THE DEMOCRACY.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT FOR A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE "UKRAINE UNDERMINING TRUMP DEFENSE."

>> NO OBJECTION.

>> >> I'D LIKE TO YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN OF MARYLAND.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU.

I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

VOTING TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT IS A WEIGHTY DECISION.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU REACH FOR, IT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE BROUGHT TO.

IN THIS SOBER AND HISTORIC MOMENT, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE CALLED UPON TO UPHOLD OUR OATH OF OFFICE AND OUR DUTY TO THE CONSTITUTION.

TODAY WE ANSWER THAT CALL.

THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS COMPROMISED THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES, UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND BETRAYED THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK DIRECT AIM AT THE HEART OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD DECIDE OUR ELECTIONS, NOT A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

AS LONG AS THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO INVITE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR DEMOCRACY, THE INTEGRITY OF THE 2020 ELECTION REMAINS AT RISK.

THE QUESTION IS WILL CONGRESS ALLOW THE PRESIDENT TO PLACE HIS PERSONAL INTERESTS ABOVE THOSE OF HIS COUNTRY.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE TO JOIN ME IN ANSWERING THAT QUESTION WITH A RESOUNDING NO BECAUSE NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS ABOVE THE LAW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO OBSERVE AND OCTOBER 9 POLITCO RESPECT TO SHOW THIS IS WHAT A LEGITIMATE ANTI-CORRUPTION GOVERNMENT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND PURSUANT TO THE UNITED STATES LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>> AT THIS POINT YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLE ROM FROM FLORIDA, MRS. CASTRO.

>> GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MEN.

>> THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER.

HE VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HE THOUGHT TO ELEVATE HIMSELF AS A DICTATOR, A KING.

WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WE ARE A REPUBLIC, A DEMOCRACY, WE'RE THE EXECUTIVE DOES NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE POWER.

AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD MILITARY AID TO VULNERABLE UKRAINE AND PRESSED FOR A PERSONAL FAVOR TO MANUFACTURE DIRT AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT, HE WENT TOO FAR.

HE UNDERMINED AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

HE SOUGHT TO SABOTAGE OUR ELECTIONS.

HE ELEVATED HIS PERSONAL INTERESTS OVER THE INTERESTS OF AMERICA AND TRIED TO COVER UP HIS SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR AND HE OBSTRUCTED THE INVESTIGATION.

HE VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

BUT I INTEND TO UPHOLD MINE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE PRESIDENT MUST BE IMPEACHED TODAY.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD A "BOSTON GLOBE" EDITORIAL ENTITLED IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>> AND A DECEMBER 11 "USA TODAY" EDITORIAL, IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE PRESIDENT'S STONE WALLING IS TOO SERIOUS FOR THE HOUSE TO IGNORE.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>> I'D LIKE TO YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLE WOMAN FROM FLORIDA, MRS. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ.

>> THANK YOU.

THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS I LISTENED AS A ABDULMUTALLAB OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO CAREER DIPLOMATS, TEMPERATURE IN DEPOSITIONS AND FOUND MYSELF CONTEMPLATING THE GRAVITY OF THIS DECISION.

ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS ASKED HOW I WOULD MAKE MY DECISION ABOUT IMPEACHMENT.

I TOLD HER WHEN HER FUTURE CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S IMPEACHMENT, THEY MAY ASK, MOMMY, WHAT DID GRANDMA DO?

I WANT TO SAY I DID THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE IN AMERICA NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY ABUSED HIS POWER FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS IN DIRECT ODDS WITH OUR NATIONAL WELFARE AND CONSTITUTION.

THIS PRESIDENT PUT HIS INTERESTS OVER THE NATION AND LEFT UNCHECKED WOULD DO SO AGAIN.

HE'S A SEVERE THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY THAT WE CANNOT DEFEND OR DISMISS.

WITH HISTORY WATCHING, I MUST FULFILL MY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND VOTE TO IMPEACH HIM.

HIS ASSAULT ON THE CONSTITUTION LEAVES NO OTHER CHOICE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MAD DOM SPEAKER.

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD A MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED A MINUTE.

>> TODAY THE HOUSE IS VOTING TO AFFIRM A CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLE.

WHAT MAKES AMERICA THE STRONGEST AND MOST PROSPEROUS NATION IN THE WORLD IS OUR REVERENCE FOR THE RULE OF LAW.

IT'S OUR LOVE OF THE LAW THAT PROTECTS OUR FREEDOMS, OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY, OUR FAMILIES FROM THE EXERCISE OF ARBITRARY POWER.

THE REAL THREAT TO AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE 21st CENTURY IS INTERNAL DECLINE.

WE CHOOSE NOT TO STAND IDLY BY WHILE WE SEE THE CORRUPTING OF OUR POLITICSES WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT MINE MAKES IT RIGHT AND WINNERS DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

VOTING TO IMPEACH, WE REMEMBER LINCOLN'S ADDRESS, LET EVERY AMERICAN, EVERY WELL-WISHER SWEAR BY THE BLOOD OF THE REVOLUTION, NEVER TO VIOLATE IN THE LEAST PARTICULAR, THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY AND NEVER TO TOLERATE THEIR VIOLATION BY OTHER.

LET IT BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES THAT IT BE WRITTEN IN SPELLING BOOKS AND ALMANACS, PREACHED FROM THE PULL PUTS AND ENFORCED IN THE HALL OF JUSTICE AND IN SHORT, THE POLITICAL RELIGION OF THE NATION.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I CONTINUE TO RESERVE TO ADVISE THROUGH THE CHAIR.

I'M WAITING FOR AN ADDITIONAL SPEAKER.

WE RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK TO ENTER INTO THE REMEMBER A DECEMBER 17th CNN AND, TRUMP'S LETTER IS FILLED WITH FALSE CLAIMS.

I YIELD TO MR. BUTTERFIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED A MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU.

MADAM SPEAKER I ARRIVE AS WE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXERCISE THE POWER GIVEN TO US BY THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION WAS FLAWED IN SYSTEM RESPECTS BUT WITH RESPECT TO PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT, IT WAS UNMISTAKABLE.

THE FRAMERS KNEW THAT PRESIDENTS COULD BE CORRUPT OR ABUSIVE WITH THEIR POWER SO IMPEACHMENT WAS WRITTEN TO OUR LAWS.

SINCE TAKING OFFICE NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CONSISTENTLY AND INTENTIONALLY DIVIDED THIS COUNTRY.

HE'S ENCOURAGED FOREIGN ACTORS TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

THUMBED HIS NOSE AT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

WE MUST PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR VOTE TODAY TO REFER SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP AND DELIVER THE CHARGES TO THE SENATE FOR A TRIAL.

A PLACE WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN DEFEND HIMSELF AND ATTEMPT IF HE CHOOSES TO CONVINCE THE SENATE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT HIS CONDUCT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION.

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN AND YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MY GOOD FRIEND, DISTINGUISHED VETERAN, MR. BARRETT OF INDIANA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED A MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, TODAY MARKS A SAD DAY FOR AMERICA.

INSTEAD OF GETTING TO WORK TO SOLVE THE ISSUES OF OUR TIME, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS DECIDED TO DISCREDIT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE UNDUE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION.

THE FACTS HERE ARE CLEAR.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT COMMIT ANY CRIMES.

HE DID NOT BREAK ANY LAWS.

THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.

THIS HAS BEEN A SECRETIVE MISDIRECTIVE PROCESS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING AGAINST THIS IMPEACHMENT CHARADE AND GETTING BACK TO WORK TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, TO CONTINUE GROWING OUR ECONOMY, CREATING JOBS AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ALL AMERICANS.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. BOYLE.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS THE FOURTH IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING AGAINST AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT AND THE MOST SERIOUS.

THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED NUMEROUS CRIMES, THREATENING THE NATIONAL SECURITY.

ULTIMATELY THE MANNER BEFORE US TODAY IS NOT A QUESTION OF FACT.

FOR THE EVIDENCE IS UNDISPUTED.

NOR IS IT A QUESTION OF LAW AS THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER IS THIS: WILL MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSE HAVE THE COURAGE TO CHOOSE FIDELITY TO THE CONSTITUTION OVER LOYALTY TO THEIR POLITICAL PARTY.

FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR COUNTRY, FOR AMERICANS TODAY AND TOMORROW, I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUMMON THE COURAGE TO UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW AND VOTE YES.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> I CONTINUE TO RESERVE MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MAD DAMAGE SPEAKER, I YIELD TIME FOR MR. CLAY.

>> I CONTINUE TO HOLD DONALD TRUMP FOR HIS OBSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE'S CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED OVERSIGHT RERESPONSIBILITY AND HIS UNDER PRECEDENTED MISUSE OF THE PRESIDENCY TO WEAKEN THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

AND SUBVERT OUR CONSTITUTION BY DANGLING $391 MINUTE OF TAX DOLLARS OVER THE HEAD OF AN EMBATTLED GOVERNMENT TO COOERS A FRAUDULENT INVESTIGATION INTO A POTENTIAL POLITICAL OPPONENT.

OUR FOUNDERED FEARED A LAWLESS AMORAL PRESIDENT WOULD WILLFULLY PUT NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL GAIN.

IN 1974, REPUBLICANS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEIR ULTIMATE LOYALTY WAS NOT TO ONE MAN BUT UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION.

TODAY THE UNCONTESTED EVIDENCE SHOWS DONALD TRUMP VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

MY FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE CAN EITHER DEFEND HIM OR DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

>> TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA CONTINUES TO RESERVE?

>> I DO, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> HOW MANY MORE SPEAKERS THE GENTLEMAN HAS?

>> I'M PREPARED TO CLOSE WHEN MY FRIEND IS.

>> PREPARE TO CLOSE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM OKLAHOMA IS RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD MYSELF THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

MADAM SPEAKER, BEFORE I BEGIN MY FORMAL REMARKS IN CLOSING, I WANT TO SAY ONE THING FOR THE RECORD.

I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ALL MANUFACTURE FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

I'M SURE THEY'RE VOTING THEIR CONVICTIONS.

SO WHEN I VOTE MINE, DON'T IMPLY I'M DOING IT FOR MY POLITICAL PARTY.

I'M DOING IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IS WHAT IS RIGHT.

I DO BELIEVE I CAN DEFEND THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONTUSION OF THE UNITED STATES.

I THINK THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING.

MADAM SPEAKER, I CAN NOT IMPOSE THIS RULE STRONGLY ENOUGH.

THE PROCESS LEADINGS IS A COMPLETE CHARADE.

A CLOSED PROCESS, A RUSHED PROCESS AND UNFAIR.

IT COULD ONLY HAVE EVER HAD ONE LOGICAL PREDETERMINED ENDING.

THROUGHOUT IT ALL, THE MAJORITY TRAMPLED ON MINORITY RIGHTS, REFUSED TO CALL WITNESSES WITH RELEVANT FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE, RELIED ON HEARSAY NEWS REPORTS TO MAKE THEIR CASE, DENIED REPUBLICANS THE RIGHT TO HOLD THE MINORITY HEARING DAY AND REFUSED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HIS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS IN THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS CONDUCTING THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AND INVESTIGATING HIM.

IN THE END, WHAT WAS THE RESULT?

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BASED ON AN EVENT THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

A PURPORTED QUID PRO QUO THAT DID NOT EXIST.

AID THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY WITHHELD THAT IN REALITY WAS NEVER WITHHELD AT ALL.

A NARRATIVE OF INTENT BASED ON NOTHING MORE THAN FANTASY.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS.

IMPEACHMENT IS THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL ACT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CAN UNDERTAKE.

IT MUST NOT AND CANNOT BE BASED ON A FLAWED PROCESS.

IT CANNOT COME AT THE EXPENSE OF MINORITY RIGHTS OR DUE PROCESS TO THE ACCUSED.

IT CANNOT BE BASED ON A VENDETTA AGAINST THE PRESIDENT THAT THE MAJORITY HAS PURSUED SINCE THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED.

IT CANNOT BE BASED ON NOTHING MORE THAN SPIN AND HEARSAY.

I OPPOSE THIS RULE AND OPPOSE THE FLAWED PROCESS.

IT'S A VERY SOLEMN VOTE THAT ALL OF US WILL CAST.

I WANT TO THANK MY FRIEND FOR CONDUCTING THE HEARING HE CONDUCTED YESTERDAY BUT I ALSO WANT TO UNDERSCORE AGAIN, WE'RE VERY VIOLENTLY OPPOSED TO THE PROCESS, VERY STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE RULE, THINK THIS IS A CHARADE AND VERY UNFAIR.

SO MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, NO ON THE RULE, NO ON THE UNDERLYING MEASURE AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> I YIELD MYSELF THE REMAINING TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> LET MY THANK MY FRIEND FOR HIS KIND WORDS AND THE FACT THAT HE RESPECTS THE INSTITUTION.

BUT LET ME SAY WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED AID TO A COUNTRY UNDER SIEGE TO EXTRACT A PERSONAL FAVOR.

THAT IS A COLD HARD FACT.

THE QUESTION BEFORE US COMES COUNT TO THIS.

SHOULD A PRESIDENT BE ALLOWED TO ASK A FOREIGN NATION TO INTERFERE IN AN AMERICAN ELECTION.

I REMEMBER MY FIRST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AS A MIDDLE SCHOOLNER 1972 LEAVING LEAFLETS AT THE HOMES OF VOTERS.

I REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS ASKED TO SUPPORT EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOO YOUNG TO VOTE MYSELF.

WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT WAS TO ASK SUPPORTERS IN MY OWN CAMPAIGNS.

I'VE BEEN PART OF WINNING CAMPAIGNS AND LOSING ONES TOO.

PEOPLE THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE GREAT GOVERNORS WERE NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE.

I WAS DISAPPOINTED BUT I ACCEPTED IT.

I WOULD TAKE LOSING AN ELECTION ANY DAY OF THE WEEK WHEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REPRESENTEDTER VERDICT.

I WILL NEVER BE OKAY IF OTHER NATIONS DECIDE LEADERS FOR US.

AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME MAT FOR THAT KIND OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.

TO MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS, IMAGINE ANY DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT SITTING IN THE OVAL OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA, PRESIDENT CLINTON, ANY OF THEM.

WOULD YOUR ANSWER HERE STILL BE THE SAME?

NO ONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO UNDERMINE OUR ELECTIONS, PERIOD.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SIDING WITH YOUR TEAM.

I DIDN'T SQUARE AN OATH TO DEFEND A POLITICAL PARTY.

I TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEN I VOTE YES ON THIS RULE AND THE UNDERLYING ARTICLES, MY CONSCIOUS WILL BE CLEAR.

I ASK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SEARCH THEIR SOULS BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES.

I ASK THEM ALL TO STAND UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, TO STAND UP FOR OUR CONSTITUTION.

MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE A YES VOTE ON THE RULE AND THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME AND MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS ON THE RESOLUTION.

>> THE QUESTION IS ON ORDERING OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION ON THE RESOLUTION.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED SAY NEY.

IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE AYES HAVE IT.

>> ON THAT I REQUEST THE YAYS AND NAYS.

>> THE YAYS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED.

THOSE FAVORS A VOTE WILL RISE.

THE YAYS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED TO REGISTER THEIR VOTE BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.

THIS WILL BE A 15-MINUTE VOTE.

>> AND YOU ARE WATCHING LIVE COVERAGE FROM PBS "NEWSHOUR."

WE ARE BEGINNING 15 MINUTES ON THE RULES.

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING AN HOUR OF DEBATE OVER THOSE RULES.

WE'VE HEARD FROM DEMOCRATS ARGUING THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POW-BY PRESSURING UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE 2016 AND JOE BIDEN, THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP BROKE THE LAW AND OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS' INVESTIGATION.

REPUBLICANS GIVEN THE SAME 30 MINUTES ARGUED THIS WAS AN UNFAIR AND RUSHED PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS CHERRY PICKED EVIDENCE TO FIT THEIR NARRATIVE, THE PRESIDENT WAS WITHIN HIS RIGHTS TO ASK UKRAINE TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATIONS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SEARCHING TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT SINCE THE ELECTION.

WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE RIGHT NOW.

WE HEARD FROM NO WAVERING DEMOCRATS.

WHO HAVE WE BEEN LISTENING TO AND WHO HAVEN'T WE HEARD ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

>> SO THIS IS THE RULES COMMITTEE DEBATE CONTROLLED BY THE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE THAT HANDLES PROCEDURE AND SET THE TERMS OF DEBATES.

MOST OF THE DEBATE WAS CONTROLLED BY THE TWO RANKING MEMBERS.

WHAT YOU HEARD ARE A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS THAT WILL GET TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

THERE'S NO REAL RHYME OR REASON THAT THEY CHOSE THIS TIME VERSUS LATER ON.

BUT AGAIN, YOU HEARD MANY OF THE DEMOCRATS TALKING ABOUT HISTORY, THE FRAMER'S INTENT, THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS DAY AND REPUBLICANS MAKING THEIR ARGUMENTS ON PROCESS AS WELL.

>> WHAT DID YOU HEAR, MICHAEL ALLEN?

>> MY MAIN TAKE-AWAY FROM THE DEMOCRATS, THEY WERE VERY SOLEMN.

THEY CLEARLY WERE IN A LOW TONE OF VOICE HERE.

THEY SAID REPEATEDLY I WROTE DOWN, SAD, SOBER, SOLEMN, SANCTITY OF THE CONSTITUTION.

SO THAT WAS MY LARGEST TAKE-AWAY FROM WHAT I HEARD FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

I THINK WE HAVE YET TO GET TO ARUSING DEBATE THAT WE'RE USED TO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I EXPECT WE'LL HEAR SOME MORE BOMBASTIC SPEECHES LATER.

SO FAR VERY LOW KEY.

>> LISA DESJARDINS JOINS US FROM THE CAPITOL.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THESE TWO SIDES, THE TAKE-AWAYS AND IF IT'S RELATIVELY LOW KEY?

>> IT IS RELATIVELY LOW KEY.

WE'VE HAD SOME DEMOCRATIC SPEAKERS IN PARTICULAR THAT WE KNOW ARE CAPABLE OF FUMING SPEECHES.

I DON'T THINK IT'S BY ACCIDENT THAT JIM CLYBURN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WAS THE FIRST SPEAKER AT BAT.

HE'S KNOWN AS SOMEONE THAT CAN REALLY COMMAND AN AUDIENCE.

HERE I THINK WE HEARD HIM AT A MIDDLE LEVEL.

REALLY NOT KIND OF RAISING THE ROOF BUT INSTEAD KEEPING IT MORE SOMBER.

I THINK THE CLOSEST WE GOT TO SEEING MORE FIRE WAS FROM JIM McGOVERN JUST NOW.

HE WANTS TO FULFILL HIS OATH.

HE WAS URGING HIS COLLEAGUES, REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO SEARCH THEIR SOUL.

WE SAW THE DRUM BEAT PICK UP WITH HIM A LITTLE BIT.

OTHERWISE, RELATIVELY CALM.

ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE, GUYS, THE PUBLIC VIEWING GALLERY HAS EMPTY SEATS IN IT.

SO I GUESS IF YOU'RE IN WASHINGTON AND ABLE TO GET A TICKET FROM YOUR MEMBER OF THE HOUSE, THERE'S ROOM FOR YOU HERE.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT'S NOT FULL.

WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROTESTERS YET.

I HAVE NOTICED IN THE GALLERY THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO BE DRESSED IN RED ROBES AND MAKEUP.

WE'RE WATCHING THEM TO SEE IF THEY DO ANYTHING.

IT'S BEEN CALM ON THE FLOOR AND IN THE GALLERIES.

>> SO LISA, TALK US THROUGH THE MOOD, CALM ON THE FLOOR, CALM ON THE GALLERIES.

EMPTY SEATS.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEING THROUGH THIS PROCESS THE LAST FEW MONTHS?

>> I THINK THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT IN THE PAST COUPLE DAYS BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A DONE DEAL.

EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE THE VOTES ARE.

WE KNOW MODERATES IN THE PAST COUPLE DAYS, MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHOSE VOTE WAS UNCERTAIN THIS WEEKEND BY AND LARGE THEY HAVE MOVED TOWARDS IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

I THINK THAT THAT HAS -- THAT WAS THE LAST OPEN QUESTION THAT WE HAD TODAY.

WE COULD HAVE A FEW MORE SURPRISES LATER TODAY.

I THINK THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING UNPREDICTABLE IN TERMS OF HOW THIS VOTE WILL GO, WHAT THE SUBSTANCE HERE IS.

THAT MIGHT BE WHY WE'VE SEEN A DOWN SHIFT IN THE HEAT AND THE FIRE HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

IT ALSO COULD BE HONESTLY THE STAFF THAT HAS BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES AND THE MEMBERS MOST CLOSELY INVOLVED IN IMPEACHMENT ARE VERY TIRED.

IT'S BEEN A LONG MONTH, EXTENSIVE HEARINGS BACK-TO-BACK.

SOME OF THE SCHEDULING HAS NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF TIME AND BEEN DIFFICULT JUGGLING ACTS FOR HOW -- SETTING ASIDE STAFF MEMBERS THAT CAN READ 500-PAGE DOCUMENTS IN A NIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY AS YOUR GUESTS CAN TALK THROUGH.

SO THE CAPITAL ITSELF IS WEARY FOR MULTIPLE REASONS.

SOME PHYSICAL, SOME BEING THE SIGNIFICANCE AND SERIOUSNESS OF THIS DAY.

NOW, THAT SAID, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE SEE A MORE FAMILIAR POLITICAL TONE LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

BUT FOR NOW, YOU SEE THE WEARINESS.

>> BEFORE WE GET TO THE DEBATE ITSELF, WANT TO SHOW THE FLOOR AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

LISA, REMIND PEOPLE WHAT THE VOTE IS RIGHT NOW AND WHAT WE EXPECT THE OUTCOME TO BE.

>> THIS IS LEADING TO THE RULES VOTE.

THAT IS HRES 767.

H-RES 767 WILL SET UP THE PROCEDURE FOR THE HOUSE.

THIS VOTE IS SORT OF PROCEDURE TO PROCEDURE.

IT'S TEEING UP THE VOTE ON THE RULES RESOLUTION.

SO THERE WILL BE TWO VOTES NOW, THIS IS KIND OF PUTTING IN ORDER THE VOTE ON THE RULES RESOLUTION, WHICH I -- WHICH SHOULD BE COMING NEXT AFTER THAT.

THE RULES RESOLUTION WOULD SET UP SIX HOURS OF DEBATE.

THE RULES FOR THE DEBATE DOES NOT ALLOW REPUBLICANS TO USE ONE OF THEIR FEW SORT OF TOOLS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, WHICH IS CAUGHT A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT A MINORITY CAN DO AHEAD OF A BIG VOTE.

THEY CAN PROPOSE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

IN THAT MOTION THEY CAN PUT SOME OF THEIR OWN POLICY IDEAS.

IT'S OFTEN A TEST FOR THE MAJORITY.

BUT IN THIS IMPEACHMENT RULE, THERE'S NO MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT HAVE THAT ABILITY.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HAD.

>> JUST AS A REMINDER EARLIER TODAY, WE SAW TWO REPUBLICAN PARLIAMENTARY MOVES TRYING TO REGISTER THEIR OPPOSITION, SLOW THE PROCESS.

BOTH DEFEATED ALONG PARTY LINES.

>> AND WE SAW TWO REPRESENTATIVES.

THIS HAPPENED QUICKLY.

TWO REPUBLICANS, THE FIRST LIZ CHENEY, TRY TO BRING UP BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT TWO OTHER PROPOSALS.

ONE BEING THAT WHEN MEMBERS VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT, THEY HAVE TO STAND AND LOOK TO CAMERAS AND ANNOUNCE THEIR VOTE.

THAT WAS OBJECTED TO BY DEMOCRATS.

THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN.

THE SECOND PROMO SAL WAS TO EXTEND DEBATE FROM THE PROPOSED SIX HOURS IN THE RULES RESOLUTION TO 12 HOURS.

THAT ALSO WAS OBJECTED TO BY DEMOCRATS.

THAT WON'T HAPPEN.

WE MAY SEE MORE OF THE INNOCENT REQUESTS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS AND CHANGE THE PROCESS EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE THE VOTES AND THEY KNOW THEY TONIGHT HAVE THE VOTES TO CHANGE THE PROCESS.

>> BRING IT BACK TO THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS MORNING.

MIEKE EOYANG, LISA POINTED OUT, WE'VE BEEN SEEING DEMOCRATIC MODERATES MOVING TOWARD IMPEACHMENT DESPITE SOME QUESTIONS OF ABOUT A FEW OF THEM, ESPECIALLY 31 DEMOCRATS FROM DISTRICTS WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS VOTED.

>> YEAH, YOU SAW THIS LEADING INTO THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

SEVEN MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHO CAME TOGETHER AND WROTE AN OP-ED SAYING THE UKRAINE MATTER WAS SUFFICIENT TO MOVE FORWARD ON IMPEACHMENT.

MANY OTHER ALLEGATIONS AS REPUBLICANS POINT OUT.

SOME MEMBERS FURTHER LEFT WITH ALL KINDS OF CONCERNS WITH THE PRESIDENT THE WAY HE'S CONDUCTED HIMSELF, FOREIGN EMOLUMENTS, HOW HE IS RUNNING HIS BUSINESSES WHILE BEING PRESIDENT.

THE MODERATES FELT LIKE THIS CROSS OF NATIONAL SECURITY THAT PROCEEDED TO THIS PROCESS.

WITNESS THAT HAPPENED, IT WAS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME.

>> WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CRITICISMS OVER THE PROCESS, MICHAEL ALLEN.

DEMOCRATS CHERRY PICKING EVIDENCE AND ALSO SOME DEFENSE OF THE PRESIDENT HAVING TO RIGHT TO ASK UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATIONS.

>> YES, I THINK THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A GOOD LEG TO STAND ON.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HOUSE RULE AND I GOOGLED IT A FEW MINUTES AGO, YOU, THEY, DO HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE A MINORITY DAY OF WITNESSES.

THEY WERE DENIED THAT RIGHT.

IT WAS VOTED DOWN.

I JOKED TO MIEKE AWHILE AGO WHEN I WAS A REPUBLICAN STAFFER IN THE HOUSE, WE WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THINGS TO THE DEMOCRATS.

SO I'M NOT SAYING THE REPUBLICANS, WHICH I'M A PROUD MEMBER OR PROUD FORMER STAFFER, THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HOLIER THAN NOW.

BUT NONETHELESS, THIS IS THE PROCESS ARGUMENTS THAT EACH SIDE GIVES TO THE OTHER IN THIS VERY MAJORIORTY BODY.

THE CITY WITH MORE RIGHTS.

IN THE HOUSE, IT'S A MAJORITY RULES.

>> AND AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THIS MORNING.

TALK ABOUT THE MOTIVATION FOR SOME OF THESE PROCEDURAL POINTS.

EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE.

WHAT ARE REPUBLICANS HOPING TO GAIN BY RAISING THESE PARLIAMENTARY MEASURES AND RAISING THESE POINTS?

>> THIS GOES BACK ALSO TO THE CONDUCT OF THE REPUBLICANS DURING THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

I HAD SOME DEMOCRATS, I WANTED TO KNOW HOW THEY VIEWED THOSE PARTICULAR HEARINGS THROUGH THEIR OWN LENS.

THEY THOUGHT THE REPUBLICANS WERE EFFECTIVE IN THE YOU WERE JUST SORT OF GLANCING AT PEOPLE SAYING, THIS IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE BICKERING WITH EACH OTHER.

WE CAN'T -- THEY CAN'T KEEP -- CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD WITHOUT PEOPLE OBJECTING.

IT'S SO BORING, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OFF IMMEDIATELY.

SO SOME WOULD SAY REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DEVALUE THE PROCESS SO THAT PEOPLE TURN IT OFF.

REALLY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE DISCUSSED A FEW MINUTES AGO, WE'VE HAD DOZENS OF HOURS OF HEARINGS AND WE'RE NOT SURE THE NEEDLE HAS MOVED VERY MUCH AT ALL.

>> MIEKE EOYANG, HAVE DEMOCRATS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLITICS OF THIS OR DO THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT PEOPLE ARE TUNING IN AND LISTENING TO THE ARGUMENTS?

>> DEMOCRATS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THIS.

WHILE PUBLIC OPINION HAS LARGELY BEEN STABLE, WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IS SLOWLY OVER THE COURSE OF THIS IMPEACHMENT SUPPORT FOR HOLDING THE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE HAS RISEN ESPECIALLY AMONG INDEPENDENTS.

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING AT CAREFULLY IN SWING AND SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.

THIS IS A REAL CHALLENGE THAT THEY WATCH CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLITICS ARE ON THEIR SIDE.

I THINK THAT MICHAEL'S POINT ABOUT THE FAIRNESS ARGUMENT IS ONE THAT DEMOCRATS NEED TO WATCH CAREFULLY.

AS THE PROCEEDINGS MOVED TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, YOU SAW CHAIRMAN NADLER SEE A MUCH MORE COMBATIVE SET OF REPUBLICANS THAN YOU SAY WITH CHAIRMAN SCHIFF'S HEARINGS AND MORE PROCEDURAL OBJECTIONS AND SOME THINGS THAT WERE NOT AS CRISPLY DONE AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AS YOU MOVED THROUGH THAT STAGE OF THE PROCESS.

>> LISA DESJARDINS, HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT?

>> I DID NOTICE SOMETHING IN DEMOCRATIC TALKING POINTS THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE.

SEVERAL DEMOCRATS INCLUDING HOUSE LEADERSHIP DEMOCRATS AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE WERE SAYING, WE DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

THERE'S OTHERS INCLUDING MAJORITY LEADER HOYER THAT TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE SAYS HE THINKS THIS WILL HELP THEM.

MORE DEMOCRATS YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE WERE SAYING WE DON'T REALLY KNOW.

TO ME THAT WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO RECOGNIZING THAT THIS COULD HURT THEM.

THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL BOUNCE.

ALSO SOMETHING THAT I THINK HAS BEEN AL SLIGHT POINT OF DISCUSSION HERE AT THE CAPITOL FROM BOTH SIDES IS THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING.

A FEW POLLS THE WEEK, HE'S SEEING HIGHER NUMBERS.

HIS HIGHEST RECORDED NUMBER IN THAT POLL FOR APPROVAL.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS LIKE TO SEE.

DEMOCRATS AREN'T SURE WHAT THAT MEANS.

THEY'RE POINTING TO OH, THE ECONOMY IS GOOD.

MAYBE IT STILL HAS TO DO WITH THAT.

PERHAPS WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS SPEAKING ON ONE ISSUE, IMPEACHMENT THAT IT HELPS HIM.

HERE AT THE CAPITOL, THEY'RE PAYING A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT.

BECAUSE REMEMBER, THERE'S 31 DEMOCRATS IN THIS CHAMBER THAT WILL VOTE TODAY WHO REPRESENT DISTRICTS THAT VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

VOTED FOR A DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE AND THE REPUBLICAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

SO THEY HAVE A DIFFICULT TASK.

MOST OF THEM AS WE'VE SAID SEEM TO BE MOVING TOWARDS IMPEA IMPEACHMENT.

WHAT WILL THAT DO?

INCREASINGLY THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS A VOTE ON PRINCIPAL.

I'M THING THIS EVEN IF IT HURTS ME IN THE ELECTION.

THE TRUTH IS THEY'RE NOT SURE IF IT WERE.

IT MAY.

>> SHOWING HOUSE FLOOR AGAIN.

WE'RE WAITING FOR A PARLIAMENTARY VOTE THAT WILL LEAD TO A VOTE ON THE RULES THAT WILL GOVERN THE REST OF THE DAY LI LISA, THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN RESPONDING TO THIS PROCESS SO FAR TODAY.

A COUPLE OF TWEETS.

CONVICTING THE PRESIDENT BASED ON INNUENDO, NOT THE FACTS IS ONE OF THEM.

HE SAYS IMPEACHMENT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA FOR THE COUNTRY.

THE MORE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT IMPEACHMENT, THE LESS PEOPLE WANT IMPEACHMENT.

HOW MUCH ARE CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS IN LINE AND LISTENING TO PERHAPS AND COORDINATING WITH THE PRESIDENT TODAY?

>> THERE'S TWO TYPES OF CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS, RIGHT?

HOUSE REPUBLICANS AND SENATE REPUBLICANS.

AND I MEAN, IT'S BROADLY SPEAKING THERE'S EXCEPTIONS.

BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE MUCH MORE FERVOR, SEEM TO MORE IN LINE WITH THE PRESIDENT'S RHETORIC, HIS TACTICS AND APPROACH TO THIS.

SENATE REPUBLICANS SEEM TO WANT TO BE MORE CALM ABOUT THIS.

THEY AREN'T USING THE PRESIDENT'S CHOICE OF WORDS IN THE WAY THAT WE HEAR ECHOED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

SO THE HOUSE IS REALLY THE PRESIDENT'S SORT OF STRONGEST CORE AND VERY FULL OF FIERY SUPPORT FROM HIM.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN GIVEN POLLING AND I KNOW THIS FROM THEIR RETREAT, THAT SHOWS THAT THEY THEMSELVES, EACH OF THEM, EITHER ARE NOT THAT WELL-KNOWN OR NOT NEARLY AS POPULAR AS THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

THAT IT IS THE PRESIDENT DRIVING THE VOTERS AND HE'S NOT JUST THE MESSENGER BUT THE MESSAGE.

>> FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS, THE PRESIDENT IS ALMOST THE SAME THING AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING OUT THE VOTERS.

THAT'S HOW THEY SEE IT.

THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR CORE BELIEFS.

TALKING ABOUT POLITICS, THEY FEEL THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THE PRESIDENT AS PART OF DEFENDING THEMSELVES.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S FIRE HERE ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT'S WORD.

IT'S GOING TO BE A MORE MODERATED DISCUSSION AS THINGS STAND NOW.

>> BACK TO THE TABLE HERE.

MICHAEL ALLEN, PRESIDENT IS BOTH MESSENGER AND MESSAGE?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

HE CAN UNIQUELY SPEAK TO THE BASE LIKE NO OTHER REPUBLICAN THAT I CAN REMEMBER IN MY LIFETIME.

THE REASON WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE MODERATE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, WE'RE REFLECTING WHERE WE'VE BEEN IN RECENT YEARS IN THE COUNTRY.

THE MIDDLE, THE SWING VOTE, THE MODERATE VOTE HAS GOTTEN VERY SMALL.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE WAY THE LEGISLATURES HAVE DRAWN DISTRICTS, THEY HAVE MADE MANY MORE SEATS SAFE AS WE SAY, RED OR BLUE DISTRICTS.

IT'S SORT OF A LOCK.

A FOREGONE CONCLUSION WHICH WAY THEY VOTE.

THEY'RE BEHOLDEN TO THE PARTY IN THOSE PARTICULAR STATES.

THEY'RE MUCH FEWER MODERATE SEATS.

SO THIS IS FOCUS ON.

IF YOU WANT TO SHE A SWING FROM DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN HERE, YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING AT THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE -- 41 DISTRICTS OR SOMEWHERE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF A SWING THESE DAYS.

UNIQUE AND EXPLAINS THE HARSH LANGUAGE THAT THE PRESIDENT USES.

>> MIEKE EOYANG, WE HAVE 31 DISTRICTS PRESIDENT TRUMP WON.

CONGRESS PETERSON VOTED AGAINST FORMALIZING IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THE CLINTONS AND APPEARS TO BE VOTING AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT AS WELL.

>> YEAH.

COLLIN IS AN OUT LIAR HERE AND WILL VOTE AGAINST HIS PARTY.

YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM BREAKING ON THE PROCEDURAL VOTES EARLIER ON.

THERE'S A LITTLE QUESTION.

WHEN YOU LIKE AT THE RETIREMENTS OF REPUBLICANS ON THE OTHER SIDE, VULNERABLE DISTRICTS, YOU SEE THEM SAYING, I'M NOT GOING TO RUN WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I CANNOT BE CARRYING HIS MESSAGE, I CANNOT HAVE HIM BE THE MESSENGER.

I DON'T WANT TO RUN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

I'M DONE HERE.

PEOPLE LIKE WILL HURT WHOSE SEAT HILLARY CLINTON.

PEOPLE THAT SAY I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE TICKET, I'M OUT.

>> WE HEARD FROM WILLIAM HURT FROM TEXAS.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE DAMNING EVIDENCE.

WE HEARD SOME SAYING IT'S BEYOND REPUGNANT.

IMPEACHMENT COULD LEAD TO CIVIL WAR.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH MORE OF THAT TODAY.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU'LL HEAR SO MUCH OF THAT TODAY.

ONE OF THE SAFER GROUNDS REPUBLICANS VERY WELCOME HAVE ARGUED IS, THAT WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE PHONE CALL.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT RISES TO THE LEVEL OF REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.

>> Dana: INSTEAD, YOU'VE HEARD THE REPUBLICANS ATTACK THE CASE COLLATERALLY BY SAYING THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.

THE CORRUPTION IS DEEP IN UKRAINE.

IT'S ABOUT BIDEN.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER EFFORT THINKING OF THE RUSSIAN HOAX TO TRY TO GET THE PRESIDENT OUT OF OFFICE.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER ARGUMENTS THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE WILL HURT, ADAM KINSINGER SCHOOL IS A VERY SMALL CLASSROOM.

>> AND MIEKE, YOU'VE HAD THIS LETTER ON THE DESK ALL MORNING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID YESTERDAY TO SPEAKER PELOSI, CERTAINLY THE LANGUAGE IN THAT LETTER DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY REPUBLICANS ANY ROOM TO CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE PRESIDENT'S LANGUAGE VERY BOMBASTIC, VERY COMBATIVE HERE.

HE FEELS A SENSE OF GRIEVANCE, THIS IS PERSONAL VICTIMIZATION FOR HIM, FOR HIS FAMILY.

IT DOES NOT ALLOW REPUBLICANS TO GO TO A PLACE WHICH THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE CHOOSE TO GO TO, WHICH IS A SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR THE PRESIDENT.

HE'S NOT LETTING THEM EVEN DO THAT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS LETTER IS THAT HE'S ALSO -- WHILE HE'S TALKING ABOUT A SENSE OF GRIEVANCE, HE'S NOT REPEATING THE CRITICISMS ABOUT UKRAINE, THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED IN THE HEARINGS, ABOUT RUSSIAN BACKED PROPAGANDA AGAINST UKRAINE, SUGGESTING THEY WERE INVOLVED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

HE DOESN'T REPEAT THE LINES THAT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS HAVE BROUGHT UP.

HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE.

HE'S ALMOST OFTEN TO A DIFFERENT REALM OF ARGUMENT WHEN IT COMES TO HIS IMPEACHMENT DEFENSE.

>> AND LISA, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THERE'S A POLICY DEBATE BEHIND THIS IMPEACHMENT AND THERE'S THE ONLY COUNTRY IN EUROPE AT WAR THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS IMPEACHMENT.

UKRAINE.

391 MILLION IN MILITARY AID DELAYED FOR 55 DAYS AND A QUESTION OF CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE AND HOW THE PRESIDENT -- THE VERSION OF THE PRESIDENT OF CORRUPTION THE PRESIDENT SAW VERSUS U.S. ADMINISTRATION POLICY ON CORRUPTION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT U.S. KIND OF FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY, FOR DECADES, REALLY, IT HAS BEEN ABOUT NATO AND RUSSIA AND RUSSIA'S INTEREST AND THE U.S. INTEREST.

THE FRONT LINE IS UKRAINE AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT STRATEGIC DEBATE, HOW THE UNITED STATES TREATS UKRAINE, HOW AND WHETHER THE U.S.

SUPPORTS UKRAINE, WHICH IS A POLICY OF NEARLY EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

THE BELIEF HERE IN CONGRESS IS THE U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT UKRAINE, STAND UP STRONGLY FOR IT, MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE BACK UKRAINE.

OTHERWISE, UKRAINE REALLY DOES NOT HAVE THE ARMED FORCES, KIND OF -- OR THE ECONOMIC POWER TO STAND UP AGAINST RUSSIA AS WE HAVE SEEN RUSSIA TESTING THOSE BOUNDARIES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND GRABBING MILITARY CONFLICT AS YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING.

DEATH IN UKRAINE BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT IN RUSSIA THERE.

IT'S A SERIOUS POLICY RGT.

THERE'S HUNDREDS OF CAUCUSES HERE IN CONGRESS.

THERE'S LIKE A CRAFT BEER CAUCUS.

BUT THERE'S A UKRAINIAN CAUCUS.

ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS IS MARCY CAPTOR, A DEMOCRAT.

I REMEMBER SPEAKING TO HER ABOUT THIS 1 1/2 YEARS AGO.

SHE FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT IT.

SHE SAID I HAVE ONE OF THOUGH CAUCUSES THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH ATTENTION AS OTHERS.

NOT ANYMORE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT MANY MEMBERS FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT.

IT'S UKRAINE WILL BE PART OF THE HISTORY BOOKS OF HOW GOVERNMENT RUNS AND IMPEACHMENT OF A PRESIDENCY AND CONGRESS.

>> UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WE TALKED TO ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THIS IS A GOOD THING THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MILITARY AID BEING SENT TO THE COUNTRY OR WHETHER THEY HAVE EMBARRASSED BEING THE SUBJECT OF THIS.

BUT LISA, YOU MADE A GOOD POINT THERE.

AS WE SEE ON THE SCREEN, WE HAVE WHAT LOOKS TO BE ALMOST THE FINAL RESULT OF THIS FIRST VOTE, A VOTE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE VOTE ON THE RULES THAT WILL GOVERN THE REST OF THE DAY PRETTY MUCH ON PARTY LINES WITH A COUPLE OF EXEMPTIONS.

LISA, YOU MADE A GOOD POINT BEFORE ABOUT THERE'S A LEVEL OF BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON UKRAINE POLICY.

THERE'S BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA DECIDED NOT TO SEND LETHAL AID TO UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID SEND THE AIN'T AND GOT PRAISE FOR IT.

>> YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, EVEN IN THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE, THERE WAS SOME QUESTION AS TO HOW MUCH HELPING UKRAINE WOULD BE GOOD AND HOW MUCH WOULD BE TOO MUCH, THAT IT MIGHT ACTUALLY PROVOKE A RESPONSE FROM RUSSIA.

AND WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE TESTIMONY IN IMPEACHMENT THAT ACTUALLY IN 2017 WHEN THAT AID WAS BEING GREEN LIT, WHEN IT WAS ABOUT TO GO TO UKRAINE, THAT ROUND OF AID IN 2017, THAT THERE WAS ONE AGENCY HEAD THAT RAISED OBJECTIONS TO IT.

WHO WAS IT?

MICK MULVANEY.

THEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

BEFORE HE WAS THE ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF.

HE RAISED CONCERNS THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN ACT THAT -- HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT RUSSIAN REACTION.

HE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT RAISED OBJECTIONS.

THAT AID DID GO THROUGH.

BUT YET AGAIN, THIS NEXT ROUND THAT HAS -- THAT IS INTRICATELY WOVEN WITH IMPEACHMENT, MICK MULVANEY HAS A COMMANDING ROLE.

WITNESS AFTER WITNESS SAID THEY WERE TOLD THE ORDER CAME FROM THE PRESIDENT THROUGH MICK MULVANEY THAT HE IS THE ONE THAT TOLD PEOPLE ABOUT TO PUT THE AID ON HOLD.

SO HE'S AT THE CENTER OF THE POLICY, WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR A BUDGET PERSON.

THEY DO HAVE BUDGET IMPACT BUT USUALLY NOT STRONG OF A HAND AS WE HEARD FROM MICK MULVANEY IN THIS TESTIMONY.

>> AS YOU COVERED SO MUCH, LISA, THAT AID WAS HELD OR ORDERED HELD APPARENTLY BY MICK MULVANEY OR AT LEAST BRING THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DESPITE THE PENTAGON, DESPITE THE STATE DEPARTMENT, DESPITE CONGRESS AND A BIPARTISAN WAY OVERWHELMINGLY BIPARTISAN WAY DEMANDING OR LEGISLATING THAT THAT AID GO FORWARD.

>> RIGHT.

THAT AID, THERE'S SO MANY DETAILS IN THIS.

ONE THAT I THINK THAT DOESN'T GET ENOUGH ATTENTION, THE HOLD ON THE UKRAINIAN AID WENT INTO EFFECT ON WHAT DAY?

JULY 25.

THE EXACT SAME DAY AS THE CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

TO SOME DEGREE, THAT EXACT DATE IS A BIT OF COINCIDENCE BUT IT WAS AROUND THAT TIME THAT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS PUTTING THAT HOLD INTO EFFECT.

IT HAPPENED TO GO INTO EFFECT THAT SAME DAY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT BRING IT UP ON THE CALL.

THERE'S MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN THE UKRAINIANS KNEW ABOUT THE HOLD.

QUICK REPORTING ABOUT THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT I WANT TO ADD AS THIS VOTE WINDS DOWN.

HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI IS ON THE FLOOR, HAS BEEN ON THE FLOOR.

YOU MAY SEE HER AT SOME TIMES BEHIND THE WORRY FOR THE VOTE.

SHE'S WEARING A DARK SUIT A DARK JACKET.

SHE HAS BEEN TALKING TO MEMBERS.

I DON'T GET THE IMPRESSION THAT SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT THESE VOTES.

SHE'S THE BEST WHIP COUNTER IN THE HOUSE, CERTAINLY NOW, PERHAPS IN MODERN HISTORY.

SHE JUST SEEMS TO BE KEEPING MORAL GOING AND SPENDING TIME ON THE FLOOR.

OBVIOUSLY A BIG MOMENT FOR HER AS WELL, AGAIN, THIS VOTE IS ESSENTIALLY ENDING DEBATE ON THE RULE, SETTING UP THE VOTE ON THE RULE.

>> SO AS WE WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THIS VOTE, ANY DEBATE THAT WILL LEAD TO ANOTHER VOTE ON THE RULE THAT -- HERE WE GO.

THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE TO END THE DEBATE.

>> THE PREVIOUS QUESTION IS ORDERED.

QUESTION IS ON ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED SAY NEY.

IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, THE NOS HAVE IT.

>> MADAM SPEAKER -- >> CHAIRMAN REQUEST A RECORDED VOTE.

THOSE FAVOR A VOTE WILL RISE.

A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISE.

MEMBERS WILL RECORD THEIR VOTES BY ELECTRONIC DEVICE.

THIS WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE VOTE.

>> SO WE NOW HAVE ANOTHER VOTE THAT WILL GOVERN THE RULES OF THE REST OF THE DEBATE.

SIX HOURS WE BELIEVE OF IMPEACHMENT DEBATE THAT WE'LL SEE THROUGHOUT THE DAY ENDING SORT OF THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENING OR INTO THE EVENING.

BRING IT BACK TO THE TABLE HERE.

TWO FORMER HOUSE STAFFERS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT, ALTHOUGH YOU'VE NEVER WORKED ON IMP IMPEA IMPEACHMENT, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON BOTH SIDES?

MIEKE, WE JUST HEARD LISA ON THE FLOOR, NOT WORRIED, KEEPING UP MORALE.

WHAT ARE THE STAFFER DOSING BEHIND THE SCENES TODAY?

>> SO ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TIME ON THE FLOOR.

THEY HAVE SIX HOURS.

435 MEMBERS.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO HAVE THEIR ONE MINUTE SO THAT THEY CAN POST IT TO THEIR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE TO SHOW THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN IS WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR EVERYONE.

SO AS A STAFFER, YOU'RE RUNNING AROUND, TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN ACCOMMODATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE.

IT'S CHAOTIC FOR THE STAFF.

THIS IS NOT WHERE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE VOTE COUNT.

>> AND MICHAEL ALLEN, WE KNOW OR BELIEVE WE KNOW THE RESULTS OF THIS VOTE, A LONG WAY TO GO AND A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BY STAFF.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING THINGS I'VE SEEN ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, WHICH WON'T BE HAPPENING IN GREAT ABUNDANCE, WHIPPING THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

IT'S FASCINATING WHEN YOU SENDS OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE, YOU SEE WHERE PEOPLE COME BACK.

LET'S SAY THERE'S 10 OR 12 UNDECIDED.

THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO GET A VOTE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

YOU SEE THE WHIP AND THE LEADER PIGEON HOLING PEOPLE AND GRABBING THEM AND SAYING WE NEED YOU, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET YOU THERE.

THERE'S SOME OF THAT TODAY, I THINK, BUT NOT AS MUCH.

SHORT OF THAT, STAFFERS ARE RUNNING AROUND MAKING SURE THAT THE MEMBERS ARE ARMED WITH THE CORRECT TALKING POINTS AND SHOWING UP AT THE RIGHT TIME.

A LOT OF CHOREOGRAPHY THAT GOES ON HERE.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW LISA KNOWS THIS.

THE EARLY VOTES ARE BED CHECK VOTES.

ARE YOU IN THE CAPITOL AND LET'S MOVE ON.

>> SO LISA, IS EVERYONE ON THE FLOOR?

WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY'RE ALL ON THE FLOOR.

I DON'T ANY THEY WILL BE FOR LONG.

THEY -- MEMBERS TEND TO ON THE LAST VOTE IN A SERIES, WHICH THIS MAY BE, THEY TEND TO GO BACK TO THEIR OFFICES.

WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR AND WHAT I'M ASKING REPUBLICANS TO GIVE ME GUIDANCE ON, WHEN THEY START TO MOVE TOWARD THE FULL IMPEACHMENT DEBATE, IF REPUBLICANS WILL MOVE TO ADJOURN THE CHAMBER, THAT IS POSSIBLE.

I HAVEN'T HAD CONFIRMATION.

IT LOOKS WATCHING THE FLOOR THAT MEMBERS THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE AS WELL.

THEY'RE SORT OF STAYING IN PLACE AS IF ANOTHER VOTE MIGHT BE COMING.

IT'S HARD TO READ ON THE MONITOR, BUT IT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH FOR.

MEMBERS USUALLY HIGH TAIL IT OUT OF THERE IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO STAY ANY LONGER.

THEY SEEM TO BE LINGERING AT THE MOMENT.

COULD BE BECAUSE OF HISTORY, THEY WANT TO BE THERE FOR THE OPENING OF THE OFFICIAL IMPEACHMENT DEBATE.

I THINK IT'S MORE LIKELY THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANOTHER VOTE.

>> AND BACK TO THE TABLE HERE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMIND THE VIEWERS HOW HISTORIC AND HOW RARE THIS ACTUALLY IS, MIEKE EOYANG.

COUPLE MINUTES UNTIL WE HEAR THIS VOTE.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, COMPARE THIS DAY IN TERMS OF SPEED AND IN TERMS OF PARTISANSHIP TO THE LAST IMPEACHMENT OF THE LAST HALF CENTURY.

>> YEAH, SO IN THE NIXON AND CLINTON IMPEACHMENTS, YOU SAW MANY MORE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS GOING AGAINST THEIR OWN PARTY, NOT IN HUGE NUMBERS BUT SAYING HEY, WE'RE MAKING AN INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT AND MAKING A DECISION HERE AS JURORS SERIOUSLY.

WHAT YOU'VE SEEN NOW IS THAT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY GONE AWAY EXCEPT FOR A FEW MEMBERS.

AS MEMBERS TRY TO BUCK THEIR PARTY, THEY LOSE THE SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY TO RUN AGAIN.

SO THE PARTY DISCIPLINE IS MUCH STRONGER TODAY THAN IT WAS BEFORE.

PART OF THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE WAY FUND-RAISING WORKS, SOME OF IT COULD BE TO THE PARTISAN ENVIRONMENT.

>> MICHAEL ALLEN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF IMPEACHMENT AND WHETHER IT'S CHANGING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD BE THE THIRD PRESIDENT IMPEACHED.

BUT THE SECOND IN THE LAST 21 YEARS.

WE'VE WAITED 130 YEARS BETWEEN AN TRUE JOHNSON AND BILL CLINTON.

DO WE KNOW THIS YET?

IS IMPEACHMENT CHANGING TO BECOME MORE OF A KIND OF PARTISAN TOOL OF A CONGRESS UPSET WITH THE POLICY OR SOMETHING SPECIFIC THAT THE PRESIDENT DID?

>> I THINK IT IS A BY PRODUCT OF THE PARTISAN WARFARE THAT WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH AT LEAST SINCE 1994.

REPUBLICANS WILL DEBATE WHEN THIS BEGAN.

CERTAINLY IT IS BECOME ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO USE.

FRANKLY PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PUSH-BACK HERE IS TAKING SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC OUTLIERS THAT CALLED FOR IMPEACHMENT DURING THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION.

I THINK A LOT OF HOUSE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND MAYBE THEY BELIEVED IT GOT FAR OUT THERE AND SORT OF SUGGESTED THAT INDICTMENTS WERE COMING SOON OR MORE INFORMATION IN THE MUELLER REPORT MIGHT LEAD TO AN IMPEACHMENT.

DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT THERE.

BUT IT GIVES REPUBLICANS NATURAL SUSPICION THAT WOW, MAYBE THAT LITTLE PART OF WHAT DONALD TRUMP SAID IS TRUE.

THAT'S THAT TRUMP IS SUCH AN AFFRONT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT THEY WERE LOOKING TO IMPEACHMENT ALL ALONG.

>> QUICKLY ON THE POINT THAT MIEKE WAS MAKING BEFORE.

DO YOU SEE THIS AS MORE OR LESS PARTISAN THAN THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT?

>> IT'S MORE PARTISAN.

THERE'S LESS ROOM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY TO SAY I'M OFFENDED BY THE BEHAVIOR OF THE PRESIDENT.

I WAS STRUCK.

I CAN SIT HERE REMEMBERING TODAY, JOE LIEBERMAN, ROBERT BYRD AND OTHERS CONDEMNING BILL CLINTON FOR HIS BEHAVIOR EVEN THOUGH AT LEAST IN ROBERT BYRD'S CASE, OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS, THEY VOTED AGAINST A COUPLE OF THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT CAME TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THEY WERE UNBURDENED.

THEY SAID HEY, LISTEN, I DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID WITH A SUBORDINATE BUT I DON'T THINK IT NECESSARILY RISES TO THE LEVEL IN THIS CASE OF A HIGH CRIME OR MISDEMEANOR.

SO MUCH MORE FREEDOM, I THINK, FROM HAVE HOUSE MEMBERS THIS GO AROUND.

>> LISA, AS WE WATCH TO SEE IF WE HAVE A READ-OUT, FINAL READ-OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR VOTE.

WHAT MICHAEL WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT MULTIPLE TIMES, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLINTON AND THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT.

NOT ONLY IN THE VOTE, THE FINAL VOTES BUT ALSO IN THE PROCESS ITSELF.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I NOTICED DIANA'S HAND ON THE GAVEL.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE IT'S SO FASCINATING, BUT ALSO MAKE SURE AND REPORT THAT MANY VIEWERS WILL NOTICE THERE'S TWO DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED NO ON THE RULES RESOLUTION AND NO ON THE PREVIOUS VOTE.

THOSE ARE JEFF VAN DREW OF NEW JERSEY AND COLLIN PETERSON, THE TWO THAT WE EXPECTED.

THE VOTE IS NOT CLOSED YET BUT THOSE LOOK TO BE THE ONLY REAL PARTY SWITCHERS THAT INDEPENDENT VOTING YES JUSTIN AMOSH.

>> THE YEAHS ARE 197.

THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER LAID ON THE TABLE.

>> SO THAT WAS THE DEMOCRAT OF COLORADO, ONE OF SPEAKER PELOSI'S CHIEF ALLIES BRINGING BACK THE HOUSE TO ORDER.

WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF BEGINNING SIX HOURS OF DEBATE ON IMPEACHMENT.

LET'S JUST SEE WHETHER THIS ACTUALLY BEGINS RIGHT NOW AS LISA HAS SAID, THAT WAS THE FINAL VOTE THAT WILL PRECEDE THE SIX HOURS OF DEBATE.

THAT WAS THE VOTE ON THE RULES.

DIANA BEGAT FROM COLORADO, PRESIDING OVER THE CHAMBER.

LET'S LISTEN IN.

>> MEMBERS WILL TAKE THEIR CONVERSATIONS OFF THE FLOOR.

WHILE WE HAVE A MINUTE, LISA, EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR HERE.

>> WE'RE WAITING FOR MEMBERS TO SETTLE IN THEIR SEATS.

THIS FEELS LIKE A HISTORIC MOMENT AND TRYING TO SET THAT UP, MAKE SURE THE HOUSE IS QUIET AND CALM AS THEY BEGIN THE NEXT STEPS TOWARDS IMPEACHMENT.

DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE THE OPENING -- >> PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 767, THE HOUSE WILL CONSIDER TO THE IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION, THE CLERK WILL SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION.

>> HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 61, RESOLVE THAT DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, IS IMPEACHED FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS AND THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BE EXHIBITED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT EXHIBITED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE NAME OF ITSELF AND OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST HIM FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

ARTICLE 1, ABUSE OF POWER.

THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AND THAT THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE REMOVED AND CONVICTION OF TREASON OF BRIBERY, OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS IN HIS CONDUCT OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND VIOLATION OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL OATH TO EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAW BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED, USING THE POWER OF THE HIGH OFFICE, HE SOLICITED THE INTERFERENCE OF A UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

HE DID SO THROUGH A SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT THAT INCLUDED SOLICITING THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT HIS ELECTION, AND HARM THE ELECTION PROSPECTS OF A POLITICAL OPPONENT, AND INFLUENCE THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO SOUGHT TO PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO TAKE THESE STEPS BY GOVERNMENT ACTS OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO UKRAINE ON THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ENGAGED IN THIS SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT FOR CORRUPT PURPOSES, AND POLITICAL OR PERSONAL BENEFIT.

HE USED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY IN A MANNER THAT COMPROMISED NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

HE THUS IGNORED THE INTERESTS OF THE NATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ENGAGED IN THIS SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT IN THE FOLLOWING MEANS: 1, PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTING WITH HIS AGENTS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CORRUPTLY SOLICITED THE UKRAINE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS INTO A, A POLITICAL OPPONENT, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., AND DISCREDITED THAT UKRAINE RATHER THAN RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

TWO, THAT THE SAME CORRUPT MOTIVES PRESIDENT TRUMP THROUGH HIS AGENTS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ON THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS HE HAD REQUESTED.

A, THE RELEASE OF $391 MILLION OF UNITED STATES TAXPAYER FUNDS THAT CONGRESS APPROPRIATED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING VITAL MILITARY, A SIFTANCE TO THE UKRAINE TO OPPOSE RUG AGGRESSION, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERED SUSPENDED.

AND B, A HEAD OF STATE MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE WHICH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE SOUGHT TO DEMCRATE UNITED STATES SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE IN THE FACE OF RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

3, FACE WITH THE ACTIONS, PRESIDENT TRUMP RELEASED THE MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE, BUT PERSISTED, AND CORRUPTLY URGING UKRAINE TO UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS FOR HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL BENEFIT.

THESE ACTIONS WERE CONSISTENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PREVIOUS INVITATIONS OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN UNITED STATES ELECTIONS, AND ALL OF THIS, PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY BY IGNORING NATIONAL SECURITY, AND OTHER VITAL NATIONAL INTERESTS TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER PERSONAL BENEFIT.

HE ALSO BETRAYED THE NATION BY ABUSING HIS HIGH OFFICE TO ENLIST A FOREIGN POWER TO INTERFERE IN DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS.

WHEREBY PRESIDENT TRUMP BY SUCH CONDUCT DEMONSTRATES HE REMAINS A THREAT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE STUEG IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE, AND ACTED IN A MANNER GROSSLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH SELF-GOVERNANCE, AND DISQUALIFICATION TO HOLD OR ENJOY ANY OFFICE OF TRUST IN THE UNITED STATES.

ARTICLE 2, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS, THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT, AND THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE REMOVED ON CONDITIONS TELEVISION CRIME OR MISDEMEANORS.

AND IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL OATH, FAITHFULLY TO EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE STUEG OF THE UNITED STATES, AND IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED, DONALD J.

JUMP DIRECTED THE UNPRECEDENTED DEFIANCE OF SUBPOENAS ISSUED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PURSUANT TO SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ABUSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY IN A MANNER OFFENSIVE TO AND SUBVERSIVE OF THE CONSTITUTION IN THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ENGAGED IN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY FOCUSED ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPT SOLICITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO INTERFERE IN THE 2020 UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AS PART OF THIS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, THE COMMITTEE HAS UNDERTAKEN INVESTIGATION, SERVED SUBPOENAS FOR TESTIMONY, VITAL TO THE INQUIRY OF VARIOUS BRANCHES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICIALS.

IN RESPONSE WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE OR EXCUSE, PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRECTED AGENCIES, OFFICES AND OFFICIALS NOT TO COMPLY WITH THOSE SUBPOENAS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP INTERPOSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY AGAINST THE LAWFUL SUBPOENAS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND JUDGMENTS NECESSARY TO THE EXERCISE OF THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT VESTED BY THE CONSTITUTION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED POWERS OF HIS HIGH OFFICE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MEANS: 1, DIRECTING THE WHITE HOUSE TO DEFY A LAWFUL SUBPOENA BY WITHHOLDING THE PRODUCT OF DOCUMENTS SOUGHT THEREIN BY THE COMMITTEES.

2, DIRECTING OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES AND OFFICE TO DEFY LAWFUL SUBPOENAS, AND WITHHOLD THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FROM THE COMMITTEES IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND DEPARTMENT DEFENSE REFUSED TO PRODUCE A SINGLE DOCUMENT OR RECORD.

3, DIRECTING CURRENTLY AND FORMER EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE COMMITTEES IN RESPONSE TO WHICH NINE ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS DEFIED TESTIMONY, JOHN MICK MULVANEY, ROBERT BLARE, JOHNENBERG, GRIFFITH, BRIAN DUFFY, AND THESE ACTIONS WERE CONSISTENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS INTO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE UNITED STATES ELECTIONS.

THROUGH THESE ACTIONS, PRESIDENT TRUMP THOUGHT TO ERRIGATE TO HIMSELF THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO HIS OWN CONDUCT AS WELL AS THE UNILATERAL PREROGATIVE TO DENY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.

IN THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC, NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER ORDER THE THE COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIREER OR SOUGHT TO IMPEDE COMPREHENSBLY TO INVESTIGATE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

THIS ABUSE OF OFFICE SERVED TO COVER UP THE PRESIDENT'S OWN REPEATED MISCONDUCT AND SEIZE AND CONTROL THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT, AND THUS TO NULLIFY A VITAL SAFEGUARD INVESTED SOLELY IN THE HOUSE OF RAEMENTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ACTED IN A MANNER CONTRARY TO HIS TRUST AS PRESIDENT AND SUBVERSIVE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT TO THE PREJUDICE OF LAW AND JUSTICE, AND THE MANIFEST INJURY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

ANY OFFICE OF HO T unTe1fáfá OR PROFIT UNDER THE UNITED STATES.tQ>> PURSUANT TOf RESOLUTIONw3Zv 767, THEjF AMEN RECOMMENDED BYD THE COMMITTEE ON ADOPTED.q THE RESOLUTION SHALL BE UDEBATE EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BYG THE CHAIR6/+ THEc RANKING COMMITTEE ONxDcw JUDICIARY OR 9/ RESPECTED DIGNITARIES.xD MR. NADLER,Ñiq AND THE3W&7 GEND MR. COLLIN WILL CONTROL THREE HOURS.P,Nn CHAIR RECOGNI NADLER.

>> Ilpfá HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS ON RE ES 765.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

THE GENERAL LADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING AND FOR HIS TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP IN HELPING US HONOR THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

I ALSO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO CHAIRMAN SCHIFF, WHO WILL BE PRESIDING LATER IN THE DAY.

MY COLLEAGUES, THIS MORNING AND EVERY MORNING WHEN WE COME TOGETHER MEMBERS RISE AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

EVERY DAY ALL ACROSS AMERICA CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY, OFFICIALS AND THOSE CIVICALLY ENGAGED ALSO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

LET US RECALL WHAT THAT PLEDGE SAYS.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC -- TO THE REPUBLIC -- FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

A REPUBLIC, IF WE CAN KEEP IT.

WE GATHER TODAY UNDER THE DOME OF THIS TEMPLE OF DEMOCRACY TO EXERCISE ONE OF THE MOST SOLEMN POWERS THAT THIS BODY CAN TAKE, THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

NO MEMBER REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR POLITICS COMES TO CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, BUT EVERY ONE OF US AS OUR FIRST ACT AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS STOOD ON THIS HISTORIC HOUSE FLOOR BEFORE OUR BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN FLAG AND RAISED OUR HAND AND THIS SACRED OATH: I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC SO HELP ME GOD.

FOR 230 YEARS MEMBERS HAVE TAKEN THAT SACRED OATH WHICH MAKES US CUSTODIANS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

WHEN OUR FOUNDERS DECLARED INDEPENDENCE AND ESTABLISHED A NEW NATION, THAT CRAFTED A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT UNLIKE EVER SEEN BEFORE.

A REPUBLIC STARTING WITH THE SACRED WORDS, WE THE PEOPLE.

FOR CENTURIES, AMERICANS HAVE FOUGHT AND DIEED TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE.

VERY SADLY OUR FOUNDERS VISION OF SAY REPUBLIC IS UNDER THREAT BY THE WHOUT HOUSE.

THAT IS WHY AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE A SOLEMNLY AND SADLY OPEN THE DEBATE ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IF WE DO NOT ACT NOW, WE WOULD BE DERELICT IN OUR DUTY.

IT WAS TRAGIC THAT THE PRESIDENT'S RECKLESS ACTIONS MAKE IMPEACHMENT NECESSARY.

HE GAVE US NO CHOICE.

WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY IS THE ESTABLISHED FACTS THAT THE PRESIDENT VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS A MATTER OF FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT IS AN ONGOING THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, THE BASIS OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

HUNDREDS OF HISTORIANS, LEGAL SCHOLARS AND FORMER PROSECUTORS, REGARDLESS OF PARTY STATED THAT THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES.

TODAY IS A NATIONAL CIVICS LESSON, I SUBMIT THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE RECORD AND COMMEND THEM TO STUDENTS TO STUDY.

>> SO ORDERED.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY IS ESTABLISHED FACTS THAT THE PRESIDENT AGAIN VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS A MATTER OF FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT IS AGAIN AN ONGOING THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, AND THE TESTIMONY OF DECORATED WAR HEROES, DISTINGUISHED DIPLOMATS AND PATRIOTED PUBLIC SERVANTS, SOME OF THE PRESIDENT'S OWN APPOINTEES OVER THE PAST WEEK HAVE TOLD US THIS.

THE PRESIDENT USED THE POWER OF HIS PUBLIC OFFICE TO OBTAIN IMPROPER PERSONAL BENEFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT WEAK EBBS A DEMOATIC ALLY, IS FIGHTING AN AMERICAN ADVERSARY, THE PRESIDENT WEAKENS AMERICA.

THIS ABUSE OF POWER OWLS JEOPARDIZES THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION.

ALL AMERICANS AGREE THAT AMERICAN VOTERS SHOULD CHOOSE OUR PRESIDENT, NOT SOME FOREIGN GOVERNMENT.

THE FOUNDERS UNDERSTOOD THAT IT IS PROFOUNDY LOO CORROSIVE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY FOR A PRESIDENT TO INVITE INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTION.

AS GEORGE WASHINGTON, OUR NATION'S PATRIOT UNDER WHOSE GAZE WE STAND TODAY WARNED, HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE PROVE THATOREIGN INFLUENCE IS ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL FOES OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

SADLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE WITNESSED FURTHER WRONGS BY THE PRESIDENT WHICH NECESSITATE THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S WRONGDOING WAS REVEALED HE LAUNCHED AN UNPRECEDENTED INDISCRIMINATE AND CATEGORYICAL CAMPAIGN OF DEFIANCE AND OBSTRUCTION.

NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR NATION HAVE WE SEEN A PRESIDENT DECLARE THAT HE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

THE PRESIDENT GOES EVEN SO FAR AS TO SAY AND ACT ON THIS ABSURDITY WHEN HE SAYS ARTICLE 2 SAYS I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT.

NO, IT DOESN'T.

THAT RECKLESSNESS IS A PROFOUND VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR REPUBLIC WHICH ENDURED BECAUSE OF OUR SYSTEM OF SEPARATION OF POWER, THREE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES A CHECK AND BALANCE OF EACH OTHER, A REPUBLIC AGAIN IF WE CAN KEEP IT >> THE FEAR OF A ROGUE OR CORRUPT PRESIDENT IS THE VERY REASON THEY ENSHRINED IMPEACHMENT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

ONE FOUNDER, WILLIAM DAVEY OF NORTH CAROLINA WARNED, UNLESS THE CONSTITUTION CONTAINS AN IMPEACHMENT PROVISION, A PRESIDENT MIGHT SPARE NO EFFORTS OR MEANS WHATEVER TO GET HIMSELF RE-ELECTED.

ANOTHER FOUNDER, SAID THE APPOINTMENT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO IMPROPER AND CORRUPT ACTS MIGHT REPEAT HIS GUILT AND RETURN TO POWER.

HE WUFT STAND UP AND MAKE CLEAR TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TO ALL PEOPLE THAT THIS BODY STILL STANDS BY THE PRINCIPLES ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION AND DEFEND IT BY GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS.

LAST WEEK IN THE PRESENCE OF THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE MEMBERS TRAVELED TO HALLOWED GROUND TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO THE HEROES WHO SACRIFICE THE EVERYTHING TO SECURE VICTORY OF FREEDOM OVER TYRANNY, NOT JUST FOR AMERICA, BUT FOR THE WORLD.

THE VETERANS OF THAT BATTLE WERE THERE IN THEIR 90s, AND TOLD US HOW AFTER THE WAR WAS WON, THE EUROPEANS THEY LIBERATED ASKED, WHY DID YOU LIBERATE US, AND GIVE YOUR LIVES TO SAVE US?

WE'RE NOT AMERICANS.

>> OUR MEN WOULD SAY, WE CAME TO FIGHT FOR YOU, NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE AMERICANS, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE AMERICANS.

AS OUR BELOVED CHAIRMAN, ELIJAH CUMMINS SAID WHEN ANNOUNCING HIS SUPPORT FOR HIS ACTION "WHEN THE HISTORY BOOKS ARE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS TUMULTUOUS ERA, I WANT THEM TO SHOW I WAS AMONG THOSE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHO STOOD UP TO LAWLESSNESS AND TYRANNY."

HE ALSO SAID, PROPHETICALLY, "WHEN WE ARE DANCING WITH THE ANGELS, THE QUESTION WILL BE WHAT DID WE DO TO MAKE SURE WE KEPT OUR DEMOCRACY INTACT."

ELIJAH HAS SINCE PASS THE ON, AND NOW HE'S DANCING WITH THE ANGELS.

I KNOW THAT HE AND ALL OF US HERE ARE PROUD OF THE MORAL COURAGE OF MEMBERS FELT WHO HONOR THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS FOR A REPUBLIC, THE SACRIFICE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM TO DEFEND IT, AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR CHILDREN TO LIVE FREELY WITHIN IT.

TODAY WE ARE HERE TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE.

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I FIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

[ APPLAUSE ] GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ENTER INTO A DEBATE THAT SHOULD SURPRISE NO ONE.

THIS HAS NOT BEEN A SURPRISE, AND IT'S NOT EVEN SOMETHING WE WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT.

FROM THE MOMENT THE MAJORITY PARTY IN THIS HOUSE WON THE INEVITABLITY WOULD BE HERE IS ONLY A MATTER OF THE DATE THEY WOULD SCHEDULE IT.

NOTHING ELSE.

IN FACT, HOW IT LOOK FURTHER, ON SEPTEMBER 24th, THE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED IMPEACHMENT BEFORE EVEN SEEING A CALL TRANSCRIPT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT TODAY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT THIS BODY CAN DO, AND IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL OATH, AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND FOUNDERS THROWN ASHD ALL DAY.

BUT ONE THING IS ALSO THE FOUNDERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT A PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT IN WHICH POLITICS OF THE MAJORITY WHO HAVE THEIR STRENGTH CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IRREGARDLESS OF FACTS.

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, AND WILL AGAIN, I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT IS SAID TODAY, THIS IS NOT A SOLEMN OCCASION.

WHEN YOU GO LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR THREE YEARS, YOU OUGHT TO BE EXCITED WHEN YOU FOUND IT, BUT YOU CAN'T, BECAUSE IT TOOK ME UNTIL LAST NIGHT, BUT I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT.

WHY CALL IT A SOLEMN OCCASION WHEN YOU'VE BEEN WARNING TO DO THIS EVER SINCE HE WAS ELECTION?

HE DID WHAT HE SAW FIT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND YET THEY WANT TO IMPEACH HIM.

IT HIT ME.

NOW THEY WANT TO BECAUSE THEY REALIZE WHAT I'VE BEEN TELLING THEM FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR ARE TERRIBLE MASTERS.

THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT ANYTHING EXCEPT GETTING THE TIME DONE, AND THE CALENDAR THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT FACTS AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT TIME, AND ONE DAY THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR WILL HANG ON THIS BODY IN A VERY DETRIMENTAL WAY.

HOW DIE KNOW THIS?

BECAUSE ONE OF OUR NUMBERS, WAS SWORN IN, AND WE'RE GOING TO IMPEACH.

YOU KNOW THE REST.

IN MAY OF 2019, AL GREEN SAID I'M CONCERNED IF WE DON'T IMPEACH, HE WILL GET RE-ELECTED.

HE SAID WE CAN'T BEAT HIM IF WE DON'T IMPEACH HIM.

THERE'S A REASON BEHIND THIS IMPEACHMENT, AND EVEN SPEAKER PELOSI SAID IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO LEAVE IT TO VOTERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER PRESIDENT TRUMP STAYS IN OFFICE.

REALLY?

AFTER WE JUST SAID THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WE GO BACK TO THE SPEAKER'S OWN WORDS AND SAID IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO LEAVE IT TO THE VOTERS.

I TELL YOU MADAM SPEAKER, WE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING OUR CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEY ELECTED PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND IT IS A MATTER FOR THE VOTERS, AND NOT FOR THE HOUSE AND THE WAY IT IS BEING DONE.

IT HAS TRAMPLED EVERYTHING THIS HOUSE BELIEVES IN.

I BELIEVE THIS TRUE TODAY.

I WILL FIGHT THIS ON PROCESS WHICH HAS BEEN DEPLORABLE TO USE A WORD OF THE MAJORITY.

IT HAS BEEN AWFUL.

THE CALENDAR AND THE CLOCK MAKE IT IMPRESSIVE TO DO IT QUICKLY.

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MINORITIES OR OPPORTUNITY FOR WITNESSES TO BE CALLED THE CHAIRMAN DETERMINES WHAT IS RELEVANT.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

LET THE ACCUSER DETERMINE WHAT'S RELEVANT TO THE ONE ACCUSED.

THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA SEE THROUGH THIS.

THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA UNDERSTAND DUE PROCESS AND UNDERSTAND WHEN T IT'S TRAMPLED IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

IT'S A MATTER OF FACT.

I WILL FIGHT THE FACTS ALL DAY LONG.

WHAT WE FOUND IS A PRESIDENT WHO DID NOT DO AS CHARGED.

THEY HAD TO GO TO ABUSE OF POWER.

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE ABUSE OF POWER.

HOWEVER, ONE THING, THE CALL ITSELF, THE TWO PARTIES SAY NO PRESSURE.

NOTHING WAS EVER DONE TO GET THE MONEY.

IN FACT, THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE MONEY WAS HELD.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT BOTHERS ME ABOUT THE FACTS.

THERE WERE FIVE MEETINGS.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT THOSE TODAY IN WHICH THERE WAS NEVER A LISTENINGAGE MADE.

THERE'S ONE WITNESS IN THE MAJORITY REPORT, BUT IN THE END AFTER QUESTIONS HAD TO SAY, WELL THAT WAS MY PRESUMPTION OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

YOU SEE THIS IS AN IMPEACHMENT BASED ON PRESUMPTION AND WHAT WILL SELL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TODAY IS NOT FAIR.

WHAT IT IS NOT IS ABOUT THE TRUTH.

WHAT IS TRUE TODAY, SDPT ARTICLEING THEMSELVES AND THE SPEAKER TALKED ABOUT THIS IS AS IF THE PRESIDENT WEAKENED A FOREIGN LEADER.

YOU KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, AND THE MOST INTERESTING AND DEPLORABLE THING I'VE HEARD IS THE ATTACK ON PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THEY REALIZE THE CRUX OF THE CASE IS IF HE WAS NOT PRESSURED, THE HOUSE OF CARDS FELL.

IF WE CAN'T SHOW PRESSURE, WE HAVE TO CALL HIM A LIAR, A WORLD LEADER, OR WE HAVE TO MAKE UP NAMES TO CALL HIM.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHEN A MEMBER SAID HE'S ACTING OR COMPLAINING LIKE A BATTERED WIFE.

THAT'S BELOW THE DIGNITY.

TO BELITTLE HIM, ESPECIALLY AS OFTEN SAID BY THE MAJORITY THAT THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOT WAR WITH RUSH A.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID GIVE THEM OFFENSIVE WEAPONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOTHING WRONG.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT ALL DAY.

WE WENT ON PROCESS AND FACTS.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL SEE THROUGH THIS.

BEFORE I CLOSE I RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN THE SENATE, THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE RECOGNIZES THAT THE HOUSE DID NOT DO THEIR JOB, BECAUSE WE CAN'T MAKE THE CASE TO HIS OWN MEMBERS AND HE'S GOING TO ASK FOR MORE WITNESSES AND TIME.

AND EVEN YESTERDAY, IT WAS FUNNY, AND HILARIOUS.

THE MINORITY LEADER WENT OUT AND DID A PRESS CONFERENCE AND SAID THEY DENIED BY REQUESTS AND WITNESSES.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB, MR. SCHUMER.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS HERE FOR THREE MONTHS.

TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IMPEACHMENT, AND TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT, AND TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

ABUSE OF POWER, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ACTUALLY PIN ANYTHING OF FACTUAL BASIS ON HIM.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOTHING WRONG IN THE ISSUE.

AND THEN OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

YOU KNOW OBSTRUCTION OF KPG IS BY PETULANT CHILDREN SAYING WE DIDN'T GET OUR CASE.

YOU KNOW WHY MADAM SPEAKER?

THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR ARE TERRIBLE MASTERS, AND THE MAJORITY WILL OWN THAT PROBLEM TODAY BECAUSE THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR, FACTS DON'T MATTER.

THE PROMISES TO THE BASE MATTER, ANDI&c©#k÷ TODAY IS A PR KEPT FOR THE MAJORITY,,L A SURPRISE.

A FACT.

WITH THATxDok I RESERVE.r >> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.fálpá >> MADAM SPEAKER, I FIELD MYSELF ASc MUCH TIME AS Ifá MAY.

>>Ñir GENTLEMANlp IS XeBOGNIZED.

>> THE HOUSEt(ÑG(NB OF REPRESENTATIVESÑi MUST CONSIDER TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE FIRST ARTICLE CHARGES THAT THE PRESIDENT USEDS7 HIS PUBLI OFFICE TOe1 COERCE A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT ATTACKING HIS POLITICAL RIVAL.

THEq SECONDr ARTICLE CHARGES THATe1 THE TOOK EXTREME AND UNPRECEDENTED STEPS TO OUR INVESTIGATION INTOxD HIS CONDUCT.

THE TWO ARTICLES CHARGED, THAT w3 PRESIDENT TRUMP PLACED PRIVATE r POLITI+ INTERESTS ABOVE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, ABOVE OUR ELECTIONSñr AND WITHÑi UKRAINE AGAINST RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD HAVE ) F OF THE AMERICC÷ PEOPLE ON THAT CALL.i] HE PRIORITYIZED HIS PRIVATE POLITICAL INTERESTS.r PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY FORÑi A FAVOR.fá HE WANTED UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE çó TWO BOGUS INVESTIGATIONS.

ONE INTO BIDEN, THEN HIS LEADING OPPONENT IN THE 2020 ELECTION, AND ANOTHER TO ADVANCE A CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA, ATTACKED OUR ELECTIONst IN 2016.

NEITHER REQUEST WAS PREMISED ON ANY LEGITIMATE NATIONAL SECURITY OR FOREIGN POLICY INTEREST.

ONE WAS INTENDED TO HELP PRESIDENT TRUMP CONCEAL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 2016 ELECTION.

THE OTHER WAS INTENDED TO HELP HIM GAIN AN ADVANTAGE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AFTER THE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP RATCHETED UP THE PRESSURE.

HE DEPLOYED HIS PRIVATE ATTORNEY AND OTHER AGENTS, SOME ACTING FAR OUTSIDE THE REGULAR CHANNELS OF DIPLOMACY, TO MAKE HIS DESIRES CLEAR.

THERE WOULD BE NO AID AND NO MEETING UNTIL UKRAINE ANNOUNCED THE SHAM INVESTIGATION.

TO OUR FOUNDING GENERATION, ABUSE OF POWER WAS A SPECIFIC WELL-DEFINED OFFENSE.

A PRESIDENT MAY NOT MISUSE THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER PERSONAL BENEFIT.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID EXACTLY THAT.

FOR THIS ALONE HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED, BUT THE FIRST ARTICLE ALSO IDENTIFIES TWO AGGRAVATING FACTORS.

WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED MILITARY AID ON A PERSONAL FAVOR, HE HARMED AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

WHEN HE DEMANDED THAT A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TARGET HIS DOMESTIC POLITICAL RIVAL, HE TOOK STEPS TO CORRUPT OUR NEXT ELECTION.

TO THE FOUNDERS THESE OFFENSES CLEARLY MERITED REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.

THE PRESIDENT FACES A SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT FOR HIS EFFORTS TO OBSTRUCT OUR INVESTIGATION OF HIS MISCONDUCT.

THE CONSTITUTION GRANTS THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WITHIN OUR SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE PRESIDENT MAY NOT DECIDE FOR HIMSELF WHAT CONSTITUTES A VALID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, NOR MAY HE IGNORE LAWFUL SUBPOENAS OR DIRECT OTHERS TO DO SO.

MANY PRESIDENTS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP, HAVE ASSERTED PRIVILEGES AND OTHER OBJECTIONS TO SPECIFIC SUBPOENAS, BUT ONLY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ORDERED THE CATEGORICAL DEFIANCE OF A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION.

THE AUTOMATIC REJECTION OF ALL SUBPOENAS.

THE PRESIDENT IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW AND HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED FOR THIS, AS WELL.

CONGRESS CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ELECTION TO ADDRESS THIS MISCONDUCT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DEMONSTRATEA CLEAR PATTERN OF WRONGDOING.

THIS IS NOT FIRST TIME HE'S SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE ELECTION, HAS BEEN EXPOSED, AND HAS ATTEMPTED TO OBSTRUCT THE RESULTING INVESTIGATION.

WE CANNOT RELY ON THE NEXT ELECTION WHEN THE PRESIDENT THREATENS THE VERY INTEGRITY OF THAT ELECTION.

HE HAS SHOWN US HE WILL CONTINUE TO PUT HIS SELFISH INTERESTS ABOVE THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY.

WE MUST ACT WITHOUT DELAY.

BY HIS ACTIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BROKEN HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HIS CONDUCT CONTINUES TO UNDERMINE OUR CONSTITUTION AND THREATEN OUR NEXT ELECTION.

HIS ACTIONS WARRANT HIS AND DEM REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THESE ARTICLES AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGE A.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD THREE MINUTES TO GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I RISE TO IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

THE CONSTITUTION SAYS ANY CIVIL OFFICER, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT MAY BE IMPEACHED FOR BRIBERY OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

UNLIKE THE NIXON AND CLINTON CASES, THERE ARE NO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS COMMITTED A CRIME.

WE'VE HAD ALMOST THREE YEARS OF NON-STOP INVESTIGATIONS.

WE'VE HAD THE Mxá*UL ERR REPORT, THE SCHIFF INVESTIGATION AND THE NADLER INVESTIGATION.

AT NO TIME THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT DONALD J. TRUMP VIOLATED MY CRIMINAL STATUTE OF THE UNITED STATES.

SO WHY ARE WE HERE?

WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY CAUCUS, THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS BEEN HIJACKED BY THE RADICAL LEFT.

THEY HAVE WANTED TO REVERSE THE COURSE OF THE 2016 ELECTION EVER SINCE DONALD J. TRUMP WON THAT ELECTION.

SO LET'S LOOK AT THESE TWO PHONY ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

FIRST OF ALL, ABUSE OF POWER.

THEY HAD THE PRESIDENT SAY OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

I WANT YOU TO DO US A FAVOR.

NOT ME A FAVOR.

US A FAVOR.

AND THERE HE WAS REFERRING TO OUR COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

NOT A PERSONAL POLITICAL GAIN.

HE WAS NOT AFRAID TO LET THIS TRANSCRIPT GO PUBLIC.

AND HE RELEASED THE PUBLIC ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CALL.

THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT, OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS BASICALLY SAYS THAT UNLESS THE PRESIDENT GIVES US EVERYTHING WE WANT AND WHEN WE WANT IT THAT HE'S COMMITTED AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

THAT'S A BUNCH OF BUNK.

THE PRESIDENT HAS CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL PRIVILEGES BY VIRTUE OF HIS OFFICE.

WHENEVER THERE'S BEEN A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES HERETOFORE THEY'VE GONE TO SUPREME COURT.

AND THE SUPREME COURT SAID THEY WOULD TAKE JURISDICTION OF DECIDING WHETHER THE PRESIDENT HAD TO COMPLY WITH ONE SUBPOENA RELATING TO HIS TAX RETURNS.

NOW HERE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN BENT TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BEFORE THE COURT DECIDES THIS.

AND THIS MEANS THERE'S A RUSH JOB TO DO THIS.

WHY IS THERE?

BECAUSE THEY WANT TO INFLUENCE THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

THEY SPENT THREE YEARS DOING IT.

THEY SPENT MILLIONSS OF TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AND THE MUELLER REPORT PUTTING TOGETHER THIS IMPEACHMENT, AND AN ALSO HAVE HAD THIS CONGRESS WRAPPED AROUND IMPEACHMENT AND NOT DOING THEIR JOBS UNTIL THE DAM BROKE THIS WEEK.

STOP THIS CHARADE, VOTE NO.

I YIELD BACK.

>> YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN KNOWS FULL WELL THE PRESIDENT ASSERTED NO PRIVILEGES HERE.

HE SIMPLY ORDERED COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

I NOW YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

>> YOUNG LADY IS REPRESENTED.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN NADLER FOR OUR LEADERSHIP AS WE NAVIGATE THIS CHALLENGING TIME FOR THE COMMITTEE AND CONGRESS AND FOR OUR COUNTRY.

IT'S WITH PROFOUND SADNESS THAT I STAND HERE IN SUPPORT OF ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR FOUNDERS FEARED MOST.

THEY KNEW WITH THE AWESOME POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY CAME THE RISK OF A PRESIDENT ABUSING THAT POWER FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

THEY WERE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT AN EXECUTIVE WHO BECAME ENTANGLED WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, CORRUPTED OUR ELECTION OR SOUGHT TO AVOID CONSEQUENCES THROUGH HIS MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE.

THAT'S WHY THEY INCLUDED IMPEACHMENT IN THE CONSTITUTION, TO PROTECT OUR REBELIEVE.

COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE HAVE CLAIMED WE IMPEACHED THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE HIM.

WHAT THIS MOMENT IS ABOUT IS MORE THAN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S POLICIES AND PERSONALITY.

THOSE ISSUES BELONG IN VOTING BOOTH.

OUR TASK HERE IS NOT TO JUDGE THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

INSTEAD WE MUST JUDGE HIS CONDUCT, AND WHETHER HIS ACTIONS HAVE UNDERMINED OUR CONSTITUTION.

THE PRESIDENT HAS COMMITTED THE HIGHEST OF HIGH CRIMES UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION.

HE USED THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, AND TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PRESSURE A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTION.

HE UNDERMINED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

WHEN HE GOT CAUGHT HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP, OBSTRUCTING THE INVESTIGATION AND REFUSING TO PRODUCE THE SUBPOENAED DOCUMENTS AND WITNESSES.

A GOVERNMENT WHERE THE PRESIDENT ABUSES POWER IS NOT OF THE PEOPLE.

A GOVERNMENT WHERE THE PRESIDENT PRESSURES A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO UNDERMINE OUR ELECTION SENT BY THE PEOPLE.

AND A GOVERNMENT WHERE THE PRESIDENT PUTS HIS OWN INTEREST BEFORE THE COUNTRY SENT FOR THE PEOPLE.

THIS ISN'T COMPLICATED.

YOU KNOW IT.

I KNOW IT.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WRONGDOING AND THE URGENT THREAT IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND OUR DEMOCRACY LEAVES US NO PRINCIPLEED ALTERNATIVE BUT TO SUPPORT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CHILDREN DEPEND UPON IT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGE A.

>> THANK YOU, SPEAKER.

I WISH THEY WOULD EXAMINE THE FACTUAL CONDUCT, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I YIELD TO MR. JOHN.

>> THE FOUNDERS OF THIS COUNTRY WARNED US AGAINST A SINGLE PARTY IMPEACHMENT, BECAUSE THEY FEARED IT WOULD BITTERLY AND IRREPARABLY DIVIDE THE NATION.

IN THE 243 YEARS OF HIS REPUBLIC THERE'S NEVER BEEN A SINGLE PARTY FRAUDULENT IMPEACHMENT PROCESS LIKE THE ONE USED TODAY.

THE DEMOCRATIC EMPLOYEES HAVE WEAPONIZED THE IMPEACHMENT PROVISION TO NULLIFY THE VOTES OF THE 63 MILLION AMERICANS WHO ELECTED DONALD TRUMP.

THIS IS NOT A PHONE CALL OR THE UKRAINE OR USE OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

95 OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE FLOOR VOTEED TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP BEFORE THE JULY 25th PHONE CALL EVER HAPPENED BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, AND NOT ONLY IS THIS A SINGLE PARTY IMPEACHMENT, IT'S ALSO EVIDENCE FREE.

AFTER ALL THE HERCULEAN EFFORTS THEY COULD ONLY COME UP WITH TWO SHORT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

ON THE FIRST THE DEMOCRATS KNOW THERE'S ZERO EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS TO SHOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ENGAGED IN ANY ABUSE OF POWER.

AS YOU HEAR TODAY THE ENTIRE CASE IS BASED ON HEARSAY, SPECULATION AND CONJECTURE, AND THERE'S NOT A SINGLE FACT WITNESS TO SUPPORT THE BASELESS ALLEGATIONSS.

THE DEMOCRATS SECOND CLAIM IS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP OBSTRUCTED BY CONGRESS BY DOING WHAT VIRTUALLY EVERY PRESIDENT IN THE MODERN ERA HAS ALSO DONE, IS THAT IS TO ASSERT, MR. CHAIRMAN, LEGITIMATE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE WHICH PROTECTS SEPARATION OF POWERS.

IF THEY DISAGREED WITH THAT, THE DEMOCRATS COULD AND SHOULD HAVE GONE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY TO GET AN EXPEDITED COURT ORDER COMPELLING THE DOCUMENTS REQUESTED.

THAT'S WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST.

THEY DIDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THESE DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE TIME FOR IT.

THEY'RE TRYING TO MEET THEIR OWN RECKLESS AND MACHIAVELLIAN TIME LINE TO TAKE DOWN A PRESIDENT THAT THEY LOATHE.

THE REAL ABUSE OF POWER HERE IS ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS THAT THEY'VE FEVERISHLY PRUELSED IMPEACHMENT 20 TIMES FASTER THAN THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF BILL CLINTON.

THEY'VE TRIED TO REACH THEIR PRE-DETERMINED OUTCOME AND STEAM ROLLED OVER DUE PROCESS.

>> GENTLEMAN'S TIME EXPIRED.

>> AND FOR THE COUNTRY.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER THE GENTLEMAN NLS THE IMPEACHMENT WAS PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION AS DEFENSE OF A REPUBLIC BETWEEN ELECTIONS.

>> I YIELD TO THE DISTINGUISHED LADY FROM WASHINGTON.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS A DAY OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY.

THE FACTS IN FRONT OF US ARE CLEAR.

THIS PRESIDENT, DONALD J. TRUMP COERCED A FRAGILE FOREIGN ALLY TO INVESTIGATE HIS PRESIDENT OPPONENT AND INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTION, AND HE LEVERAGED CRITICALLY NEEDED CONGRESSIONALALLY APPROVED MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

THE PRESIDENT'S ALLIES WANT TO CLAIM HE DID THIS BECAUSE HE CARED ABOUT CORRUPTION.

BUT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP TRULY CARED ABOUT CRUMBS, HE WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE TALKING POINTS THAT WERE PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ON ANTI-CORRUPTION.

HE DID NOT.

IN FACT, ON THOSE TWO CALLS WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HE NEVER MENTIONED THE WORD CORRUPTION.

HE DID NOT ABIDE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S OWN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT UKRAINE PASSED ALL THE ANTI-CORRUPTION BENCHMARKS AND DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE UNANIMOUS CONCLUSION OF ALL OF HIS TOP ADVISERS THAT HE MUST RELEASE THAT AITD TO UKRAINE.

HE DID RELEASE THE AID IS 2017 AND 2018, BUT OBJECT 2019, WHY?

BECAUSE JOE BIDEN WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

BECAUSE THIS IS NOT HEARSAY.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

THE PRESIDENT TOLD US HIMSELF ON NATIONAL TELEVISION EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED FROM THE PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

HE CAME ON TO THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN AND SAID I WANTED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO OPENON INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

HE SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE BEFORE.

HE IS DOING IT NOW.

AND HE WILL DO IT AGAIN.

THE PRESIDENT THE SMOKING GUN.

OUR FOUNDERS, MR. CHAIRMAN ZOO-MR. SPEAKER, ENTRUSTED US WITH THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY WHICH GETS POWER NOT FROM THE BLOOD LINES OF MONARCHS, BUT FROM THE VOTES OF WE THE PEOPLE.

WITHOUT THAT, WE ARE NO LONGER A DEMOCRACY.

WE ARE A MONARCHERO A DICTATORSHIP.

SO TODAY, TO UPHOLD MY OATH TO THE CONSTITUTIONS AND COUNTRY, I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH DONALD J. TRUMP.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> I REMIND THE CHAIRMAN AND IMPEACHING HAS NEVER BEEN A POLITICAL WEAPON BETWEEN ELECTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

OTHER THAN AUTHORIZING AN ACT OF WAR, IMPEACHMENT IS THE GRAVEST CM WHY TO CONSIDER.

MOVING FORWARD WITH IMPEACHMENT HAS ONLY BEEN DONE THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY IN THE NATION'S HISTORY ALL BASEED ON LEGIT NAT EVIDENCE OF CAIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

MY COLLEAGUELESS HAVE REDUCED THIS TO AN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THE MAN OCCUPYING THE WHITE HOUSE.

MANY HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED WITH IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT SINCE THE DAY HE TOOK OFFICE.

HIS MOLTIVATED BY HATRED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND A PLAN TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.

THE PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT IS UNNECESSARILY HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN A ROOM TO SHARE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

THE RESULT OF THIS DECISION WAS THAT MOST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND ALL AMERICANS WERE BLOCKED FROM HEARING THE FACTS FOR THEMSELVES.

CHAIRMAN SCHIFF WITHHELD INFORMATION FROM THE REPUBLICANS, AND PRECLUDING ANYONE BUT HIMSELF AND STAFF TO SPEAK ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION.

HE WAS CALLED OUT BY MEDIA OUTLETS FROM SPREADING FALSEHOODS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

THE PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE COMPLETE DISREGARD TO HOUSE RULES.

THE REPUBLICANS WERE NOT ALLOW THE TO CALL WITNESSES OR MAKE PARLIAMENTARY MOTIONS.

THE ONLY WITNESSES ALLOWED TO TESTIFY WERE THOSE WHO SET WITHIN THE DEMOCRATS NARRATIVE.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN PRESENTED EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

IF THERE WERE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WHY ARE NO CRIMES LISTED IN THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

WE'RE WEAKENING THIS BODY BY TURNING IMPEACHMENT INTO A POLITICAL WEAPON.

THLT IMPEACHMENT SCHEME IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE A PRESIDENT'S ELECTABILITY HEADING INTO 2020.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SEE RIGHT THROUGH THIS CHARADE AND ARE FED UP.

IT'S TIME FOR THE MADNESS TO STOP AND GET BACK TO THE IMPORTANT WORK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT US HERE TO DO.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN NADLER FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

LET'S START BY MAKEING THIS SIMPLE.

NO ONE IN AMERICA ACCOUNT DO WHAT DONALD TRUMP DID AND GET AWAY WITH IT.

NO AMERICAN OFFICIAL CAN CALL UP A FOREIGN LEADER AND ASK FOR INVESTIGATION OF A POLITICAL OPPONENT.

NO MEMBER OF CONGRESS CAN CALL A FOREIGN OFFICIAL AND ASK FOR HELP IN THE RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

IF WE DO, WE'RE LIKELY TO GET INDICTED.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THEULA, AND THE CONSTITUTION IS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND.

I SWORE AN OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION WHEN I JOINED THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ON ACTIVE DUTY.

AN OATH I TOOK WAS NOT TO POLITICAL PARTY OR TO A PRESIDENT OR TO A KING.

IT WAS A DOCUMENT THAT MADE AMERICA THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

AND THAT DOCUMENT CONTAINS A SAFEGUARD FOR WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER IS SO EXTREME THAT IT WARRANTS IMPEACHMENT.

WE'RE NOT HERE BECAUSE OF Ñ" POLICY DISPUTES.i WITH THE PRES BUT I ACKNOWLEDGE HE HAS THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT A NUMBER OF REFUGEES FROM THEgñ COUNTRY,t(ñ1 ENVIRONMENTALxDe1 EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

HE HAS A RIGHT TO SIGN A BILL GIVINGfá TAX BREAKS TO THE WEALTHY.

BUT NOTjF TO CHEAT OR INTERFERE WITHxD AN ELECTION.

THAT'S ILLEGAL AND NOTÑi WHAT THEr VOTERS ELECTED HIM TOñr DO AND WE WILL NOTq STANDt( FOR IT.

THExD PRESIDENT IN THIS CASExD INSIDIOUS BECAUSE HE ALSO USED gUu GOVERNMENT FOR HIS PRIVATE GAIN.

HE CONDITIONEDÑÜUp, FUNDED MILITARYxDçó AIDjF AND A CRITICc WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITHçóq THE UKRANIAN PRESID UNDER THE REQUIREMENTw3c THAT UKRAINE çóÑi PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE AN Ñi INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OPEENT, i AND BY HARMING UKRANIAN NATIONAL SECURITY, HE ARMED w3 U.S. NATIONAL SECURI ANDq THEN SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE ON THE SOUTHfLJ WHETHER DONALD TRUMP LEAVES IN ONE MONTH, ONE YEAR OR FIVE YEARS, THIS IMPEACHMENT IS PERMANENT.

IT WILL FOLLOW HIM AROUND FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE AND HISTORY BOOKS WILL RECORD IT.

PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHY WE IMPEACHED.S6uwIT'S ALL VERY SIMS ABOVE THE LAW, NOT OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, NOT OUR PRESIDENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN OF NORTH CAROLINA.

>> I THANK MY COLLEAGUE INCH 2016, 63 MILLION AMERICANS WENT TO THE POLLS AND ELECTED DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION EVER SINCE.

IN FACT, THEY HAVE TRIED FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES EVER SINCE.

THEY TRIED FIVE ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THE ONE BEFORE US TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT, INCLUDING IN MAY OF 2017, FIVE MONTHS INTO HIS TERM.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF THIS CHAMBER AND WERE FACEED WITH A CHOICE.

THEY COULD USE THE TOOLS OF THE MAJORITY TO PURSUE PRIORITIES FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, POLICIES THAT COULD IMPACT THEIR LIVES OR USE THE TOOLS TO UNDO THE 2016 ELECTION.

THEY MADE THEIR CHOICE.

SINCE THEN HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE RELEASED MORE SUBPOENAS THAN BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW.

THAT TELLS US ALL WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONGRESS, AND THAT PARTY.

RATHER THAN LAUNCH A LEGITIMATE INVESTIGATION.

THEY WORK SHOP THEIR LANGUAGE TO SEE IF THEY COULD SELL THIS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REJECTED IT.

INSTEAD OF NEGOTIATING, AND ALLOWING COURTS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES HOUSE DEMOCRATS RUSH KNOW AN IMPEACHMENT VOTE.

HERE WE ARE 12 WEEKS LATER VOTING ON WHETHER TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT BASED ON THE THINNEST RECORD IN MODERN HISTORY.

IT'S NO SURPRISE THE SENATE IS ASKING FOR MORE WITNESSES AND MORE DOCUMENTS AND REAL EVIDENCE.

THE BODY OF EVIDENCE IS WEAK, AND WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT FOR IMPEACHMENT.

AND WITH THAT I YIELD BACK ON THIS SAD DAY FOR THIS INSTITUTION.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. NADLER.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. RASKIN.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AMERICAN ELECTIONS BELONG TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, NOT THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, AND NOT FOREIGN POWERS.

NO PRESIDENT MAY CHEAT THE PEOPLE BY WORKING WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO STEAL FROM ULS A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.

AND NO PRESIDENT WHO ATTEMPTS IT MAY COVER UP THAT CHEATING BY SYSTEMATICALLY OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS IN OUR WORK.

ARTICLE 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A PRESIDENT TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS.

THE REASON WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION IS TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT.

IF WE THE PEOPLE LOSE THE CERTAINTY OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL CORRUPTION AND FOREIGN MANIPULATION, THEN WE LOSE OUR DEMOCRACY ITSELF.

THE MOST PRESSURES INHERITANCE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM PRIOR GENERATIONS THAT PLEDGED THEIR SACRED HONOR, AND GAVE EVERYTHING THEY HAD TO DEFEND IT.

THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IS THE MEANING OF AMERICA.

THAT IS WHY WE REMAIN THE LAST BEST HOPE OF A WORLD RAVAGED BY AUTUTHORITARIANISM, AND WE MUST SAFEGUARD CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY FOR THE ENORMOUS UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES THAT STILL LIE AHEAD OF US.

I YIELD K BA.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGE A.

>> AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEWOMAN.

LADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER.

I RISE IN OPPOSITION OF HR 755.

TODAY IS A DISAPPOINTING DAY.

IT IS THE DAY BY COLLEAGUES FROM COOLS THE AISLE CAST THE VOTE THEY'VE SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS OBSESSING OVER.

THE VOTES TO IMPEACH OUR DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

THERE ARE TWO CHARGES CLAIMED BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS, AND ZERO CAUSE FOR EITHER.

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS LED, OUR COUNTRY THRIVED.

DESPITE THE COMMITMENT OF EPG KLS TO OBSTRUCT THE TRUST OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S AGENDA AT EVERY TURN, OUR COUNTRY CONTINUES TO SUCCEED.

IN THIS BODY, HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER ON WHAT AMERICANS WANT AND NEED.

WE STILL HAVE NOT FINISHED SECURING OUR BORDER.

THE OPOID EPIDEMIC STILL RAGES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS STILL IN DIRE NEED OF OVERHAUL.

AND WE STILL HAVE NOT REACHED A BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION ON DRUG PRICING.

IF CONGRESS HADN'T SPENT THE LAST YEAR STUCK IN A DEVICEIVE UGLY IMPEACHMENT BEBALKLE THINK WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE.

THE LIVES SAVED, THE COMMUNITIES IMPROVED, THE CRISIS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER ENDED AND THE POSITIVE WORK WE SHOULD DO FOR OUR COUNTRY.

BUT WE DIDN'T, ALL BECAUSE OF DIVISIVE POLITICAL THEATRICS.

CONGRESS CAN DO BETTER, AND AMERICA DESERVES BETTER.

>> THE Jxá*ENDLE LADY YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST DONALD J. TRUMP, THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

NO ONE RUNS FOR CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, BUT THIS PRESIDENT HAS LEFT US NO CHOICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED ENORMOUS POWERS OF HIS OFFICE WHEN HE SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF HELPING HIM IN HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN 2020.

THE PRESIDENT BETRAYED NATIONAL SECURITY AND UNDERMINED SECURITY OF ELECTIONS PUTTING HIS OWN PERSONALMENT INTERESTS AGAINST OVER THE COUNTRY.

THIS WASN'T AN ATTACK ON BIDEN.

IT WAS AN ATTACK ON PERSONAL LIBERTY.

WE COULD LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE -- EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER FACES EIGHT CHOICE.

WHETHER TO DO WHAT THE STUEG DEMANLDS AND THE EVIDENCE REQUIRES OR TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE PRESIDENT'S GRAVE MISCONDUCT.

BLIND EYE TO THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE OF HIGH SCIEM CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

TO FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING HISTORY.

THIS IS ABOUT HOLDING A LAWLESS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS IS THE TIME TO PUT OUR COUNTRY OVER YOUR PRESIDENT PARTY.

DO NOT SEEK SAFETY AGAINST THE ARTICLES.

SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE YOUR DEVOTION TO THE COUNTRY MORE POWERFUL THAN OUR LOYALTY TO A POLITICAL PARTY.

UNITEDED WE CAN DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY FROM ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN OR DOM.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE BECAUSE IT WILL LEAVE YOU WITH ONLY ONE ANSWER.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MUST BE IMPEACHED.

REMEMBER THESE FACTS.

HE TRIED TO CHEAT.

HE GOT CAUGHT.

HE CONFESSED AND THEN HE OBSTRUCTED THE INVESTIGATION INTOS HAD MISCONDUCT.

FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, FOR OUR CONSTITUTION, FOR THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT, AND FOR ALL WHO WILL INHERIT OUR COUNTRY FROM US, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING.

I >> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALABAMA, MR. ROGERS.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS TO MR. ROGERS.

>> I RISE TO COMPLETE AND TOTAL SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE MATTER BEFORE THE HOUSE IS BASED SOLELY ON FUNDANTAL HATRED OF THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S TANTAMOUNT TO A COUP AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S SAD WHEN ONE POLITICAL PARTY ALONG WITH THEIR COHORTS AND THE DEEP STATE OF THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA HIJACK THE CONSTITUTION.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS IRRESPONSIBLEBLY UNDER ITED THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS INTO A POLITICAL WEAPON, SOMETHING REPUBLICANS REFUESZED TO DO WHEN CALLING FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT OBAMA.

IT'S TIME TO PUT THE NATION FIRST.

THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DOING.

THE UNITED STATES HAS RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, HISTORIC PERFORMANCE IN THE STOCK MARKET.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS REWRITING FAILED TRADE DEALS OF THE PAST TO PUT AMERICA FIRST.

HE'S REBUILDING OUR MILITARY.

HE HELPED CREATE SPACE FORCE, AND THE LIST GOES ON.

I IMPLORE COLLEAGUES TO END THIS SPECTACLE NOW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. NADLER.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I'M HEARING A LOT FROM COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE EXCEPT A DEFENSE OF HIS PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT WHICH IS INDEFENSIBLE.

I NOW YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. DEUTSCH.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RECOGNIZED.

>> SOME SAY THE IMPEACHMENT IS EIGHT LINES IN A CALL.

THIS IS ABOUT A SCHEME THAT LASTED MONTHS AND INVOLVED DOZENS OF ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

LOOK AT THE DIRECT EVIDENCE.

NEXT EVIDENCE, AND CALLS AND MEETING WAY BACK IN MAY.

THE PRESIDENT TOLD HIS TEAM, TALK TO RUDY GIULIANI.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

NO WHITE HOUSE MEETING UNLESS UKRAINE HELPED HIM IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID THERE WAS A PREREQUISITE OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE BIDENS.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR THE UKRANIAN PRESIDENT TO DO WAS COMMIT TO INVESTIGATION OF THE BIDENS.

JUST BEFORE THE JULY 25th CALL, VOLKER TOLD THE UKRANIANS, ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES PRESIDENT TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE, HE WILL NAIL DOWN A VISIT TO WASHINGTON.

THE DIRECT EVIDENCE KEPT COMING.

MORE TEXT, MORE E-MAILS, MORE CALLS WITH THE SAME MESSAGE.

IF UKRAINE DIDN'T ANNOUNCE AN XWAxá*IGZ INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL RIVAL THEY WOULDN'T GET WHAT THEY NEEDED IN THE WAR AGAINST RUSH A.

THE POWER COMES FROM THE PEOPLE THROUGH ELECTIONS.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE, HE WAS CHEATING AMERICAN VOTERS BEFORE THEY EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS FORCE US TO PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS AND THE CONSTITUTION.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, SUPPORT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND REMIND THE WORLD THAT IN AMERICA, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGE A.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I REMIND THE BODY IT'S MORE THAN EIGHT LINES.

NO PRESSURE, NO CONDITIONALITY, AND THEY GOT THE MONEY.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> AS OPPOSITION TO THIS POLITICAL EFFORT TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE.

I'M NOT SURPRISED THIS DAY HAS COME, BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED.

DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE IMPEACHMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS WE CAN MAKE IN THIS BODY, AND IT IMPEACHMENT IS BASED ON PARTISAN MOTIVE.

SPEAKER MROELSY SAID WE SHPT GO DOWN THE PATH UNLESS THEIR BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> INSTEAD LASER FOCUSON THING FOR THREE YEARS.

IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT.

THEY FAILED TO PASS A BUDGET ON TIME.

FAILED TO PASS THE SPENDING BILLS ON TIME.

AND FAILED TO DELIVER BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AMERICANS.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SEE THROUGH THE CHARADE FOR WHAT IT IS.

AN ATTEMPT TO UNDO THE 2016 ELECTION BASEED ON HEARSAY AND OPINION NOT FACTS.

THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE CALL SHOWED NO CONDITIONS MRA PLACED THE AID.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY RECEIVED THE AID WITHOUT TAKING ACTIONS.

THE PRESIDENT CAN ONLY BE IMPEACHED FOR BRIBERY, OR OTHER HIGH CRIMELESS AND MISDEMEANORS.

NOWHERE DOES IT ARGUE THE PRESIDENT HAS COMMITTED TREASON, BRIBERY OR ANY CRIME UNDER THE LAW.

THIS IS NOT OVERWHELMING.

IT IS NOT COMPELLING.

IT IS NOT BIPARTISAN.

BUT THE SPEAKER WAS RIGHT IN THE ONE WAY.

THIS IS DIVISIVE, AND LOWERED THE BAR FOR WHAT FUTURE PRESIDENTS WILL FACE.

I HOPE WE WILL FINALLY MOVE PAST THIS NIGHTMARE AND GET TO WORK TO DELIVER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

>> SPEAKER, THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK ADVANTAGE OF UKRAINE'S VULNERABILITY AND ABUSED THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE TO PRESSURE UKRAINE TO HELP HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST OF HIGH CRIMES AND PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM YIELDING.

AS A MEMBER OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE DANGERS THAT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS PRESENT TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, IT IS MY SWORN DUTY TO SECURE THE NATION FROM ALL THREATS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

AND CONGRESS HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL JOB TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT.

THE CONSTITUTION IS THE HIGHEST LAW OF THE LAND CREATED A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES TO PREVENT THE CREATION OF A KING.

AND CONGRESS IS A BRAFRP OF THE NATION'sP&$CEI GIVEN TO US BY THE FRAMERS.

THIS IS A VERY SAD DAY.

I DO NOT TAKE IMPEACHMENT LIKELY.

YET I'M HERE TO DO MY JOB AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] TODAY I PRAY TO GOD FOR HIS GUIDANCE IN UNITING OUR GREAT NATION.

WITH THAT, I YIELD.

>> THE GENTLEMAN WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A TRANSLATION OF YOUR REMARKS.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

DO YOU RESERVE?

>> RESERVE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES PLSM COLLINS IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER.

I WOULD HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH MY CHAIRMAN.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE'S BEEN WATCHING.

FACTS ARE NOT UNDISPUTEDDABLE THEY ARE DISPUTED BY THE MINORITY AND THE WITNESSES WHO ACTUALLY TESTIFIED.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN OF GEORGIA.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.

MR. SPEAKER I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO THE DEMOCRATS' SHAM PROCESS WHICH MAKES A MOCKERY OF THE RULES OF THE HOUSE AND IS FRANKLY DANGEROUS TO THIS COUNTRY.

SINCE DAY ONE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED TO MOVE TOWARD IMPEACHMENT WELL BEFORE ANY OF THE ACCUSATIONS TOOK PLACE.

WHAT DEMOCRATS UNFORTUNATELY DON'T RECOGNIZE IS THE DAMAGE THIS WILL CAUSE FOR OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND AMERICA'S TRUST FOR YEARS TO COME.

EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED THAT SPEAKER PELOSI DOESN'T CONCERN OUR CITIZENS TO LET THEM DECIDE WHO SHOULD LEAD OUR GREAT COUNTRY.

THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS ISN'T FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING AND PROTECTING OUR POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS BUT SHAPING PUBLIC BEEN.

I ASK YOU, IS IT WORTH THAT?

NOT ONLY IS THE PROCESS ALARMING BUT WASTING TAX PLAYER DOLLARS AND VALUABLE TIME THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN BE USING TO MOVE OUR COUNTRY FORWARD.

THAT INCLUDES ADDRESSING STUDENTS LOOKED DEBT, BRINGING DOWN THE COST OF HEALTHCARE AROUND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO ASK THEMSELVES, WHETHER THIS IS TRULY BEING DONE FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

MR. NADLER, THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> I WOULD REMIND THE GENTLEMAN AFTER RECOVERING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ILL GOTTEN GAINS, THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION WAS A NET PLUS TO THE TAXPAYERS.

I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO, MR. NEGUSE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I WANT TO THANK CHAIRMAN NADLER AND SPEAKER PELOSI FOR THEIR COURAGE.

TODAY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS DEBATING WHETHER TO TAKE THE RARE STEP OF VOTING TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT FOR ONLY A THIRD TIME IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

UNFORTUNATELY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS LEFT US NO CHOICE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE PRESIDENT ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE AND INVITED A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

IN SO DOING, HE UNDERMINED THE SANCTITY OF THE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS UPON WHICH OUR REPUBLIC RESTS.

MAKING MATTERS WORSE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PREVENT CONGRESS FROM UNCOVERING THE TRUTH.

LET US BE CLEAR IN THE HISTORY OF OUR REPUBLIC, NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS LIKE THIS BEFORE.

DURING THE WATERGATE INVESTIGATION, AS MY COLLEAGUES WELL KNOW, PRESIDENT NIXON'S CHIEF OF STAFF TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CHIEF OF STAFF REFUSED.

PRESIDENT NIXON'S COUNSEL TESTIFIED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REFUSED.

WHITE HOUSE AIDES CLOSE TO PRESIDENT NIXON TESTIFIED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO ALLOW ANY AIDE WHO MAY HAVE KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION TO TESTIFY.

SIMPLY PUT, HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ENGAGED IN A WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHY WE'RE CONSIDERING NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY.

EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION TO DEFEND OUR REPUBLIC AND WHEN NECESSARY TO HOLD THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACCOUNTABLE.

WE ARE EXERCISING THAT RESPONSIBILITY TODAY.

SO WITH THAT, AND THEREFORE, I WILL VOTE YES ON BOTH ARTICLES BECAUSE IT'S WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES -- >> GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS EXPIRED.

YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

I NEVER THOUGHT THAT A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION WAS USED AS A MONEY REVENUE PLOT.

WITH THAT, I YIELD TO M MR. NIUEHOUSE, 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> THE SPEAKERS HOUSE SHOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS.

WE SHOULD BE MEMBER.

DURING REMARKS IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE'S IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AND HE STATED "TO MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED DURING THIS WATERSHED MOMENT IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY?

MR. SPEAKER, IT WON'T BE WATCHING SPORTS ON A LAPTOP DURING OFFICIAL JUDICIARY COMMITTING PROCEEDINGS TO IMPEACH A SITTING PRESIDENT.

WON'T BE USING EXPLETIVES TO REFER TO OUR PRESIDENT CALLING FOR HIS IMPEACHMENT HOURS AFTER BEING SWORN IN TO CONGRESS.

IT WON'T BE USING THE CHAIRMAN MANSHIP OF THE ONES RESPECTED INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE TO DISTORT THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS IN ORDER TO MISLEAD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE USING THE MOST SERIOUS AND SOLEMN POWERS OF CONGRESS TO OVERTURN A LEGITIMATE NATIONAL ELECTION FOR POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.

NO, MR. SPEAKER, MY FELLOW REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND I WON'T BE REMEMBERED IN HISTORY FOR DOING ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS IS FAR TOO GRIEVING MATTER FOR SUB VERSION.

WE YIELD BACK.

>> MR. SPEAKER, MAY I INQUIRE HOW MUCH TIME REMAINS ON BOTH SIDES?

MR. NADLER, YOU'RE ADVISED THAT YOU HAVE 156 1/3 MINUTES REMAINING.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS 157 MINUTES REMAINING.

DIVIDE THAT BY 60.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO DISTINGUISHED GENTLE LADY FROM TEXAS, MRS. ESCOBAR.

>> THE GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> WE HAVE WITNESSED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ABUSE HIS PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL GAIN AND INVITE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS, PUTTING THE INTEGRITY OF A GOVERNMENT OF, FOR AROUND BY THE PEOPLE AT GREAT RISK.

THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING AND CLEARLY SHOWS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL CONTINUE TO ABUSE HIS OFFICE AND OBSTRUCT CONGRESS IF LEFT UNCHECKED.

THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CONDUCTED ROBUST INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT.

MEMBERS INTERVIEWED 12 WITNESSES IN PUBLIC HEARINGS TOTALLYING OVER 30 HOURS, CONDUCTED 17 DEPOSITIONS TOTALLING OVER 100 HOURS, EXAMINED TEXT MESSAGES AND E-MAILS, REVIEWED THE PRESIDENT'S OWN WORDS AND ACTIONS AND PUBLISHED A 300-PAGE REPORT DETAILING THEIR FINDINGS.

ALL OF THIS DESPITE THE FACT UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION, 12 CURRENT AND FORMER ADMINISTRATIONS REFUSED TO TESTIFY EVEN IGNORING SUBPOENAS AND 71 DOCUMENT REQUESTS WERE DENIED.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THEN REVIEWED THE EVIDENCE AND CONCLUDED THAT TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT, WHICH I SUPPORT, WERE WARRANTED.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

THE MOST POWERFUL EVIDENCE OF THIS PATTERN HAS COME FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.

IN 2016, WE HEARD HIM WHEN HE CALLED ON RUSSIA TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

HE SAID RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING.

HE THEN REPEATED THIS CALL FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE ON THE JULY 25th CALL WITH THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT AND WE HEARD HIM AGAIN ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN FURTHER ADDING CHINA TO THAT MIX.

I STAND READY TO PROTECT OUR SACRED REPUBLIC, SUPPORT THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND I PRAY THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THE SAME.

WE MUST UPHOLD OUREST OF OFFICE, DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FRAGILE DEMOCRACY BECAUSE NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLE LADY YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.

MR. SPEAKER, 2016, VLADIMIR PUTIN AND HIS CRONIES WAGED A WAR ON OUR ELECTIONS WITH WITH THE GOAL OF SOWING DISCORD AND HIS VERSION IN AMERICA.

YOU THINK HE'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL?

SOMEWHERE IN RUSSIA RIGHT NEW PUTIN IS LAUGHING AT US TODAY.

THE MAJORITY HAS GIVEN HIM EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS.

A DIVIDED AMERICA WITH A PURE PARTISAN POLITICS WITH NASTY POLITICAL RHETORIC AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

TO SOME, ALREADY ACROSS THE AISLE FOR DISCREDITING THE RESULTS OF FUTURE ELECTIONS.

ALREADY.

SEEMS MANY AMERICANS THAT FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS THE HOUSE MAJORITY HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT THE WISHES OF THE KREMLIN.

THE SAD PART IS THE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR SHAM INVESTIGATIONS EVEN AFTER TODAY'S VOTE.

IMPEACHING A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT IN A PURELY PARTISAN MANNER WITH NO CRIMES TO SHOW FOR IT, NOT ONE ELEMENT OF A CRIME TO FIND, DISGRACES THE INTEGRITY OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

NOW IS THE TIME TO END THE PARTISAN POLITICS, COME TOGETHER AND PUT AMERICA FIRST.

I URGE THIS BODY TO VOTE NO TO PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

MR. NADLER?

>> I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. JEFFRIES.

>> GEORGE WASHINGTON IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS COUNSELLED AMERICA THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS SACREDLY OBLIGATORY UPON ALL.

IT'S IN THAT SPIRIT THAT WE PROCEED TODAY.

DONALD TRUMP PRESSURED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO TARGET AN AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR POLITICAL GAIN AND AT THE SAME TIME WITHHELD WITHOUT JUSTIFATION $391 MILLION IN AID TO A VULNERABLE UKRAINE AS PART OF A SCHEME TO SOLICITS FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN AN AMERICAN ELECTION.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE, IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THERE'S SOME THAT ARGUE THAT THE IMPEACHMENT OF THIS PRESIDENT WILL FURTHER DIVIDE AND ALREADY FRACTURED UNION.

BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIVISION AND CLARIFICATION.

SLAVERY ONCE DIVIDED THE NATION BUT EMANCIPATORS ROSE UP TO CLARIFY THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

SERVERAGE ONCE DIVIDED THE NATION.

BUT WOMEN ROSE UP TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE TO BE HEARD.

JIM CROW ONCE DIVIDED THE NATION BUT CIVIL RIGHTS CHAMPIONS ONCE ROSE UP TO CLARIFY THAT ALL ARE ENTITLED TO EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIVISION AND CLARIFICATION.

WE WILL HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS STUNNING ABUSE OF POWER.

WE WILL HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR UNDERMINING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

WE WILL HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR CORRUPTING OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE WILL IMPEACH DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

WE WILL CLARIFY THAT IN AMERICA NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES FROM THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MANY McCLINTOCK.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, NULLIFYING A NATIONAL ELECTION REQUIRES AN OVERWHELMING CASE OF HIGH CRIMES SUPPORTED BY INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE NATION FINDS COMPELLING.

ARTICLE 1 IS A MADE-UP CRIME CALLED ABUSE OF OFFICE.

IT DOES NOT CHARGE THAT THE PRESIDENT BROKE ANY LAW.

CONGRESS DOESN'T LIKE THE WAY HE LAWFULLY DISCHARGED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES.

THIS WOULD REDUCE THE PRESIDENCY TO THAT OF A MINISTER SERVING AT THE PLEASURE OF CONGRESS DESTROYING THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AT THE HEART OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE 2 IS ANOTHER MADE-UP CRIME CALLED OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

IT MEANS THE PRESIDENT SOUGHT TO DEFEND HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND THOSE OF HIS OFFICE.

IT REMOVES THE JUDICIARY FROM OUR CONSTITUTION AND PLACES CONGRESS ALONE IN THE POSITION OF DEFINING THE LIMITS OF ITS OWN POWERS RELATIVE TO THE PRESIDENT.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS GUARANTEES EVERY AMERICAN THE RIGHT TO CONFRONTED THEIR ACCUSER, TO CALL WITNESSES IN THEIR DEFENSE, TO BE PROTECTED FROM HEARSAY AND TO DEFEND THESE RIGHTS IN COURT THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE TRAMPLED THEM ALL IN THEIR STAMPEDE TO IMPEACH.

EVEN IN THIS KANGAROO COURT, THE DEMOCRATS HAND-PICKED WITNESSES PROVIDED NO FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE THE PRESIDENT LEAKED AID TO ACTION.

IN FACT, TWO WITNESSES PROVIDED FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE THAT HE SPECIFICALLY ORDERED IN QUID PRO QUO.

THERE WAS NO LEGALLY ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE.

IT WOULD BE LAUGHED OUT OF COURT IN A HEARTBEAT.

THAT'S THE CASE BEFORE US TODAY.

IT WOULD REDEFINE GROUNDS OF IMPEACHMENT THAT IT WOULD BE A NATIONAL CONSTANT IN OUR LIFE.

NOW WE KNOW HOW RECKLESS THIS CHANT IS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

THIS IS A STUNNING ABUSE OF POWER AND STAIN THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

>> RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES.

MR. NADLER?

>> ABUSE OF POWER IS NO WEAK NOTION TO THE FRAMERS.

IT HAD A SPECIFIC MEANING.

THE USE OF OFFICIAL POWER TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER PERSONAL BENEFIT WHILE IGNORES OR INJURING THE NATIONAL INTERESTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ABUSED HIS OFFICE AND MUST BE REMOVED.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. COHEN, THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER.

FROM OUR FOUNDING, THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN A SPECIAL NATION.

A CITY UPON A HILL.

OUR VALUES ARE ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION.

LIBERTY, QUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE A SELF-GOVERNING PEOPLE, WHERE EVERY PERSON IS EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW.

IN THE UNITED STATES, WE DON'T HAVE A KING.

WE CHOOSE OUR LEADERS.

WE VOTE.

GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE FOUGHT AND SOME HAVE DIED TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS.

THE CONSTITUTION BEGINS "WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES."

THAT'S US.

IT'S NOT "WE THE LEADERS OF RUSSIA, UKRAINE OR CHINA."

OR "WE THE DEMOCRATS OR WE THE REPUBLICANS."

IT'S "WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES" AND ONLY AMERICANS GET TO HAVE A SAY IN OUR ELECTIONS.

DONALD TRUMP USED THE HIGH POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY TO PRESSURE A FOREIGN NATION TO BESMIRCH HIS OPPONENT.

HE CORRUPTED OUR ELECTIONS SO HE COULD KEEP POWER.

NOT POWER FOR THE PEOPLE BUT POWER FOR HIMSELF.

IN 2016, CANDIDATE TRUMP CALLED FOR FOREIGN INTERFERENCE WHEN HE SAID RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, IN 2019, PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE WHEN HE NEEDED A FAVOR FROM UKRAINE TO INTERVENE IN THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ATTACKED AND CONTINUING THREAT TO OUR SYSTEM OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

LIKE ALL OF YOU, I TOOK AN OATH TO DEPEND AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION.

I URGED MY COLLEAGUES TO STAMPED UP TO THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER.

TO MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, APPEAL TO YOUR PATRIOTISM AND PRESERVE THE CONTUSION.

GOD SAVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN AND ALL MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I DO BELIEVE MR. SPEAKER THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE FREE AND FAIR.

I BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL MY HEART.

IN THIS CASE, THIS IMPEACHMENT IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE SPEAKER THAT SAID LAST MONTH IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO LEAVE IT TO THE VOTERS TO DETERMINE MR. TRUMP'S FATE IN OFFICE.

WITH THAT, I YIELD TO GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. HIGGINS.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I HAVE DESCENDED TO THE BELLY OF THE BEAST.

I HAVE WITNESSED THE TERROR WITHIN AND I RISE COMMITTED TO OPPOSE THE INSIDIOUS FORCES WHICH THREATEN OUR REPUBLIC.

AMERICA IS BEING SEVERELY INJURED BY THIS BETRAYAL, BY THIS UNJUST AND WEAPONIZED IMPEACHMENT BROUGHT UPON US BY THE SAME SOCIALISTS THAT THREATEN UNBORN LIFE IN THE WOMB, THAT THREATEN FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF CONSERVATIVES, THAT THREATEN SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS OF EVERY AMERICAN PATRIOT AND WHO HAVE LONG AGO DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD ORGANIZE AND CONSPIRE TO OVERTHROW PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WE DON'T FACE THIS HORROR BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOME CONSTITUTIONALISTS?

WE'RE NOT BEING DEVOURED FROM WITHIN BECAUSE OF SOME SURREAL SOCIALIST NEW FOUND LOVE OF THE VERY FLAG THAT THEY TROT UPON.

WE FACE THIS HORROR BECAUSE OF THIS MAP, THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS FEAR.

THEY FEAR THE TRUE WILL OF WE THE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE DEEP ESTABLISHMENT D.C.

THEY FEAR.

THEY CALL THIS REPUBLICAN MAN FLY OVERCOUNTRY.

THEY CALL US DEPLORABLE.

THEY FEAR OUR FATE.

THEY FEAR OUR STRENGTHS.

THEY FEAR OUR UNITY, VOTE AND OUR PRESIDENT.

WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR NATION TO CAREER D.C.

POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS.

OUR REPUBLIC SHALL SURVIVE THIS THREAT FROM WITHIN, AMERICAN PATRIOTS SHALL PREVAIL.

MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

>> I RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. NADLER.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. JOHNSON.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. JOHNSON IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I WAS NOT AMONG THOSE THAT SUPPORTED IMPEACHMENT BEFORE UKRAINE, BUT I CALLED FOR IMPEACHMENT TIED BECAUSE OUR PRESIDENT IS, AS WE SPEAK, ABUSING HIS POWER AND PLACING HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTEMPT TO SABOTAGE THE 2020 ELECTION IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER ON OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE THE PEOPLE KNOW THIS, AND MORE AMERICANS SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT TODAY SINCE RICHARD NIXON'S FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE.

WE KNOW IT'S WRONG TO ENLIST THE HELP OF FOREIGNERS IN INTERFERING IN OUR ELECTIONS.

WE KNOW IT'S WRONG TO CHEAT.

WE KNOW WHAT IS AT STAKE.

IT'S NOT JUST THAT OUR ELECTIONS WERE ATTACKED.

OUR ELECTIONS ARE UNDER ATTACK RIGHT NOW.

THE VERY DAY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED OUT ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP WELCOMED RUDY GULIANI BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP STILL AT IT.

HE'S DOUBLING DOWN.

HE DOESN'T THINK HE CAN WIN AN ELECTION FAIR AND SQUARE, SO HE'S TRYING TO CHEAT.

TO IGNORE THESE CRIMES IS NOT JUST GIVING THE PRESIDENT A PASS, IT'S GIVING HIM A GREEN LIGHT.

THOSE THAT VOTE AGAINST IMPEACHMENT ARE NOT JUST ENDORSING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PAST ACTIONS BUT FEUTURE ONES AS WEL.

I URGE YOU TO COME DOWN TO GEORGIA, FIND A BLACK MAN OR WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE AND THEY'LL TELL YOU THE DANGER IS REAL.

THEY'LL TELL YOU OF BRAVE AMERICANS, PATRIOTS WILLING TO RISK MORE THAN A POLITICAL CAREER THAT STRUGGLED AND MARCHED AND SOMETIMES DIED SO WE COULD HAVE FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS.

WE'RE NOT EVEN ASKED TO POSSESS A FRACTION OF THEIR COURAGE.

WE'RE CALLED UPON TODAY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

I'M PROUD TO VOTE YES ON IMPEACHMENT.

WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I'M GLAD MY COLLEAGUE JUST MENTIONED GEORGIA, BECAUSE IN THE LAST -- SINCE 2014, THE ACTUAL VOTER PARTICIPATION AMONG MINORS, AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES AND FEMALES HAVE RISEN DOUBLE DIGITS.

I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT GEORGIA IS DOING TO GET EVERYBODY TO THE POLL.

I'M GLAD HE CHOSE TO HIGHLIGHT IT.

HE HIGHLIGHTED IT IN THE WRONG WAY.

I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

MR. MUSER.

>> GENTLEMAN GETS 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> BACK HOME, PEOPLE REFER TO CAPITOL HILL AS A BUBBLE.

THEY'RE RIGHT.

IT'S AS IF WE'RE DETACHED FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS AMERICAN.

MANY HERE DON'T HEAR TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING AND MANY HERE AS WEALTHY THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BENEFITTING GREATLY FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AGENDA.

A BOOMING ECONOMY, SECURITY BORDER, BETTER TRADE DEALS AND A SECURE MILITARY.

UNFORTUNATELY INSIDE THE HALL OF CONGRESS, IMPEACHMENT IS ALL-CONSUMING.

IS IN HOW CONGRESS WILL REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA?

DISREGARDING THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO PREVENT THE PRESIDENT AND THIS CONGRESS FROM DOING THE JOB WE'RE ELECTED TO DO?

AFTER THREE YEARS OF TRYING, MONTHS OF UNFAIR POLITICALLY MOTIVATED PROCEEDINGS, DEMOCRATS HAVE DELIVERED TWO WEAK ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

ABUSE OF POWER?

NOT ACCORDING TO THE UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CONFIRMED MANY TIMES THAT THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO, NO ACTION TAKEN AND SIGNIFICANT MILITARY AID WAS DELIVERED WITHOUT ANYTHING IN RETURN.

OF COURSE, HIS WORDS HAVE BEEN CONVENIENTLY DISMISSED.

OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS?

IS THIS THE NEW STANDARD?

IF THIS IS THE NEW STANDARD, EVERY PRESIDENT SINCE JIMMY CARTER WOULD AND WILL BE IMPEACHED.

LET ME BE CLEAR, IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE IN TODAY'S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BUT I'M DISTRAUGHT TODAY.

DEMOCRATS WILL DISREGARD THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND VOTE TO IMPEACH THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH WILL BE EQUALLY TROUBLING IS THAT THIS HAS ERODED IF NOT WIPED OUT THE TRUST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE IN THE 116th CONGRESS.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> I YIELD BACK.

>> I'LL RESERVE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, PRESIDENT SAID NO QUID PRO QUO ONLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT LEARNED OF T"THE WASHINGTON POST" ARTICLE.

I YIELD TWO MINUTE TOS THE DISTNGUISHED GENTLE LADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. BASS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS A SAD DAY IN U.S. HISTORY.

WHEN WE HAVE TO VOTE ON ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP HAS ABUSED THE POWER OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY IN HIS ATTEMPT TO CHEAT HIS WAY TO RE-ELECTION.

THE FACTS ARE UNCONTESTED.

FACT ONE, THE PRESIDENT ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE BY ATTEMPTING TO SHAKE DOWN THE PRESIDENT OF A COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN OUR ALLY.

TRUMP WANTED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY OF THE UKRAINE TO DIG UP, TO MAKE UP DIRT ON VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN BECAUSE HE SEES HIM AS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO HIS RE-ELECTION.

FACT TWO, TRUMP WANTED ZELENSKY TO GO BEFORE THE PRESS AND ANNOUNCE AN INVESTIGATION OF BIDEN.

HOPING THE MERE ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD CREATE DOUBT ABOUT BIDEN AND STRENGTHEN TRUMP'S HAND IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

FACT THREE, TRUMP OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS BY ENGAGING IN A COVER-UP.

TRUMP HAS REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS AND BLOCKED CURRENT AND PAST EMPLOYEES FROM TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.

CONGRESS IS A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT AND ONE OF OUR CENTRAL RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

THE VERY CHECKS AND BALANCES THE FRAMERS BUILT INTO THE CONSTITUTION IS SO NO ONE BRANCH WOULD HAVE UNCHECKED POWER.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO VOTE AND PASS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ABUSED HIS POWER AND OBSTRUCTED THE ABILITY OF CONGRESS FROM PERFORMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

THE URGENCY TO MOVE FORWARD IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP WON'T CONTINUE TO ABUSE THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE.

NO REASON TO BELIEVE HE WON'T CONTINUE TO PUT HIS FOOT ON THE SCALE IN THIS RE-ELECTION.

HIS ATTORNEY JUST RETURNED FROM THE UKRAINE AND AN ARTICLE RELEASED IN NEW YORKER MAGAZINE CONFESSES THE EFFORT TO INTERFERE IN THE ELECTION.

WE WORRY ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION AND SCHEMES THAT PURGE LEGITIMATE VOTERS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ELECTION.

OR WE WORRY ABOUT RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE.

IT'S A SAD DAY IN AMERICA WHERE WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF INTERFERING IN THE ELECTION IN ORDER TO BE RE-ELECTED.

ELECTIONS SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

IT'S MY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO FULL MIDDLE -- >> THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. STEWART.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> I DISCOVERED SOMETHING RECENTLY.

IT'S SHOCKING, I KNOW.

BUT TURNS OUT THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THEY THINK HE'S LOUD, THEY THINK HE CAN BE ARROGANT.

SOMETIMES HE'S RUDE TO PEOPLE.

THEY'VE BEEN OFFENDED.

I GET THAT.

I DO.

LET'S BE CLEAR.

THIS VOTE, THIS DAY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH UKRAINE.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ABUSE OF POWER OR OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

THIS VOTE THIS DAY IS ABOUT ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY.

THEY HATE THIS PRESIDENT.

THEY HATE THOSE OF US THAT VOTED FOR HIM.

THEY THINK WE'RE STUPID.

THEY THINK WE MADE A MISTAKE.

THEY THINK HILLARY CLINTON SHOULD BE THE PRESIDENT AND THEY WANT TO FIX THAT.

THAT'S WHAT THIS VOTE IS ABOUT.

THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY MY VOTE AND THROW IT IN THE TRASH.

THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY MY PRESIDENT AND DELEGITIMIZE HIM.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

FOR THOSE THINK THAT THIS STARTED WITH THIS INVEST COMBINATION, WHAT NONSENSE.

YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT SINCE BEFORE HE WAS SWORN IN TO OFFICE.

SOME OF YOU INTRODUCED ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE HE WAS SWORN IN TO OFFICE.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING YOU'RE APPROACHING PRAYERFULLY AND SADLY.

OH, THE CHAOS, OH, THE SADNESS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE GLEEFUL ABOUT.

YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IT FOR THREE YEARS.

IT'S VERY CLEAR.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GOOGLE VERY MUCH TO FIND OUT THAT IS THE TRUTH.

I CAN GIVE YOU PAGES OF EXAMPLES OF THINGS YOU'VE SAID FOR THREE YEARS ABOUT THIS PRESIDENT.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

IF YOU THINK THIS IMPEACHMENT IS SUCCESSFUL, THE NEXT PRESIDENT I PROMISE YOU WILL BE IMPEACHED AND THE NEXT PRESIDENT AFTER THAT.

IF YOU SET THIS BAR AS THE IMPEACHMENT, EVERY PRESIDENT IN OUR FUTURE WILL BE IMPEACHED.

IT ERODED THE PUBLIC.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS GOT IT RIGHT.

HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO -- >> GENTLEMAN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> LET THE PEOPLE -- >> MEMBERS ARY MINDED TO DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR.

>> I REMIND THE GENTLEMAN THAT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS IMPEACHED AND REMOVED, THE NEW PRESIDENT WILL BE MIKE PENCE, NOT HILLARY CLINTON.

I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLE LADY FROM FLORIDA.

>> I'M SORRY.

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS TWO MINUTES?

>> TWO MINUTES.

>> THE GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MENS.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I DID NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING BORN INTO THIS COUNTRY.

MY MOTHER BROUGHT ME FROM ECUADOR LOOKING FOR FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY, BUT THAT'S NOT MY STORY ALONE.

THIS IS A STORY THAT I SHARE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN FLORIDA'S 26th DISTRICT AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE LEFT AN EXPERIENCED CORRUPTION IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE BRUTAL DICTATORSHIPS HAVE CHOKED THEIR POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT THOSE IN POWER.

THIS PRESIDENT-ELECTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE AND VIOLATED THE RULE OF LAW.

THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING THAT HE WAS HELD MILITARY AID, APPROVED BY CONGRESS AND LEVERAGED THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO EXTRACT A POLITICAL FAVOR FROM A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT.

THE PRESIDENT ACTIVELY SOUGHT FOREIGN ELECTION INTERFERENCE TO BENEFIT HIMSELF.

IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT HE HAS ABUSED HIS POWER AND OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS.

HE PRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

AS AN IMMIGRANT, I STILL GET CHILLS BECAUSE I FEEL SO FOR IT IN TO LIVE IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY COUNTRY.

THE GENIUS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY LIES IN OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE DEDICATION TO THE RULE OF LAW.

I WANT MY CHILDREN AND ALL OF OUR CHILDREN TO FEEL THE SAME WAY WHEN THEY GROW UP.

HOWEVER, IF WE SIT IDLY BY AS CRACKS BEGIN TO APPEAR IN OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION, OUR CHILDREN WILL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION LIKE SO MANY OF US EXPERIENCED WHEN WE LEFT COUNTRIES WHOSE LEADERS DESTROY DEMOCRACY.

WE IN CONGRESS MUST ABIDE BY OUR OATH TO DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION.

THAT IS MY DUTY AS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY.

THAT IS MY DUTY AS A MOTHER.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO MR. KING.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AS CHAIRMAN NADLER MUST RECALL EXACTLY 21 YEARS AGO TODAY, I SPOKE ON THIS FLOOR IN OPPOSITION TO THE IMPEACHMENT OF.

CLINTON.

21 YEARS AGO TOMORROW, I VOTED AGAINST ALL FOUR ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THE ARTICLES ARE AN ASSAULT ON OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT FOR A PHONE CALL FOR WHICH NO CRIME IS CHARGED NEVER MIND A HIGH CRIME AND ASSERTING HIS CONSTITUTIONAL PROGATIVES AS PRESIDENT IS A CLEAR ABUSE OF POWER BY THE CONGRESS.

IT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT OF WEAPONIZING IMPEACHMENT TO UNDUE THE SOLEMN DECISION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND I GREW UP IN THE SAME BOROUGH OF NEW YORK CITY.

I URGE A NO VOTE ON THESE HORRIBLE ACTS OF IMPEACHMENT AND THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TEAM AND STRONGLY URGE A NO VOTE.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

>> I'LL RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> I YIELD 2 1/2 MINUTING TO THE GENTLE LADY OF CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS EACH TAKE AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT ABUSES HIS PRESIDENTIAL POWER TO UPEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO LIVE UP TO OUR OATH OF OFFICE.

WE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH DIRECT EVIDENCE ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS.

THEY THREATEN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE NEXT ELECTION.

WE VOTE ON ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT FOR ABUSE OF POWER AND CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS AS A RESULT OF THAT EVIDENCE.

I'VE WORKED ON PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENTS AS PART OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TWICE BEFORE.

THIS THIRD TIME BRINGS ME NO JOY.

PRESIDENT NIXON ATTEMPTED TO CORRUPT ELECTIONS.

HE TRIED TO GET A LEG UP ON THE ELECTION SHUN AND LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP AND RESIGNED.

THIS IS WORSE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP NOT ONLY ABUSED HIS POWER TO HELP HIS RE-ELECTION, HE USED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO DO IT.

HE USED MILITARY AID PROVIDED TO FIGHT THE RUSSIANS AS LEVERAGE SOLELY TO BENEFIT HIS OWN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD BE ASTONISHED SINCE HE WARNED OF THE WILDS OF FOREIGN INFLUENCE.

THE DIRECT EVIDENCE IS DAMNING, THE PRESIDENT HASN'T OFFERED ANY EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.

THESE ACTS CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT.

WHAT IS BEFORE US IS A SERIOUS ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

THESE ABUSES STRIKE AT THE HEART OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

THE PRESIDENT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABUSE OF POWER, HIGH CRIME AND MISDEMEANOR IS ON GOING.

HE TOTALLY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO CONGRESS RELATED TO THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THE TOOL OUR FOUNDERS GAVE US IN THE CONSTITUTION TO PRESERVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER.

WE MUST IMPEACH.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, "THE WASHINGTON POST" HEADLINED THE STORY FOLLOWING PRESIDENT TRUMP TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE STATING "THE CAMPAIGN TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEGUN."

HOUSE ACCURATE THEY WERE.

HERE WE ARE ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER AND WHAT WE'RE WITNESSING IS UNPRECEDENTED IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

A PARTISAN BASED IMPEACHMENT WITH NO FACTS THAT WARRANT IT.

THIS IS AN IMPEACHMENT BASED ON HEARSAY AND SPECULATION ROOTED IN A DEEP-SEEDED HATRED FOR A MAN THAT MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE DETEST.

NOT ALL, BUT MANY.

NOWHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION DOES IT SAY THAT PERSONAL DISDAIN IS GROUNDS FOR IMPEACHMENT.

AT EVERY TURN, THE CLAIMS MADE BY MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE.

EARLY ON, IT WAS CLAIMED THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF RUSSIAN COLLUSION.

THERE WAS NONE.

WE WERE TOLD THE FBI DIDN'T ABUSE THE FISA PROCESS AND'S INVESTIGATION IN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

THAT TOO HAS NOW BEEN PROVEN COMPLETELY FALSE.

THEN WHEN THE RUSSIAN COLLUSION HOAX COLLAPSED, WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HEAR FROM A WHISTLE-BLOWER THAT HAD A NEFARIOUS CALL BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE.

WHEN WE FIND OUT THEY WEREN'T ON THE CALL.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHO THE WHISTLE-BLOWER IS.

WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF A QUID PRO QUO FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

AFTER READING THE TRANSCRIPT, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WOULDN'T EVEN STAND UP IN TRAFFIC COURT TO COME TO THAT CONCLUSION.

INSTEAD, THE INDISPUTABLE FACTS OF RECORD DESTROY THEIR CASE.

THOUGH THEY ALLEGE TREESON AND BRIBERY BY THE PRESIDENT, THE ARTICLESER WITH CONSIDERING TODAY ONLY MAKE VAGUE ACCUSATIONS OF ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

BECAUSE THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF TREASON OR BRIBERY OR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, TODAY -- >> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> THE COUNTRY IS MORE DIVIDED THAN IT EVER HAS BEEN IN MY LIFETIME.

THE TRUTH IS TRAMPLED BY THIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND BECAUSE OF THE ABUSES AT THE FBI AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, MORE AMERICANS HAVE AN EVEN DIMMER VIEW OF VERY IMPORTANT AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.

THANKFULLY THE LENS OF HISTORY WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRUTH IS TOLD AND WILL ENDURE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, ONE SPECIFIC CONCERN OF THE FRAMERS IS A PRESIDENT THAT WOULD CORRUPT OUR ELECTIONS AND ABUSE THE POWERS TO ASSURE HIS OWN ELECTION.

THE IMPEACHMENT CHOIRRY IS A REAFFIRMATION THAT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NO PERSON, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT, IS ABOVE THE LAW AND OUR DEMOCRACY CANNOT ALLOW A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT TO USE HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN.

I YIELD 2 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLE LADY FROM TEXAS.

MRS. JACKSON LEE.

>> THE GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR 2 1/2 MINUTES.

>> I HATE NO WOMAN OR MAN.

TODAY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD RECEIVE CLARITY AND TRUTH.

THE CONSTITUTION IS THE HIGHEST LAW OF THE LAND.

THE PRESIDENT BREACHED AND VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED CONSTITUTIONAL CRIMES.

THE PRESIDENT'S CRIMES ARE IMPEACHABLE.

JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID IF THIS COUNTRY SHOULD REACH THE POINT WHERE A MAN OR GROUP OF MEN BY FORCE OR THREAT OF FORCE COULD DEFY THE COMMANDS OF OUR COURTS AND CONSTITUTION, THEN NO LAW WOULD STAND FREE FROM DOUBT AND NO CITIZEN WOULD BE SAFE FROM HIS NEIGHBORS.

THE FACTS ARE INDISPUTED.

FIRST PRESIDENT TRUMP VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE BY PLACING HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL INTERESTS ABOVE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS BY SCHEMING TO COOERS UKRAINE INTO INVESTIGATING AN ELECTION OPPONENT.

THE PRESIDENT BETRAYED THE NATION BY WITHHOLDING THE CONGRESSIONALLY AGREED $391 MILLION TO A FRAGILE ALLY AGAINST A VERY STRONG FOE, RUSSIA PRESIDENT THE THIRD PART OF THE SCHEME WAS TO LIST A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO HELP IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

THESE ACTS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL CRIMES AND ABUSE OF POWER.

THE TRUTH IS, THE PRESIDENT DID ASK FOR A FAVOR.

THOSE WERE HIS OWN WORDS.

IN THE JULY 25th CALL, NO MENTION OF CORRUPTION, ONLY THE MENTION OF THE BIDENS.

THE PRESIDENT IS INVOLVED IN WRONG DOING.

HE'S A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER.

HE HAS A PATTERN AND A THREAT TO AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

THAT ABUSE OF POWER DOES VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION WHILE CHEATING OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

HIS ACTS BETRAYED THE NATION.

HE MUST TAKE CARE TO EXECUTE LAWS FAITHFULLY.

THIS IS THE TRUTH.

WHY DOES THE TRUTH MATTER?

BECAUSE IT MATTERS TO THE FARMER AT HIS OR HER PLOW AND TO THE STEEL WORKER BUILDING AMERICA, MATTERS TO THE TEACHER IN A FIFTH GRADE CLASS, MATTERS TO A MOTHER KISSING OFF HER MILITARY RECRUIT GOING TO WAR.

THE CONSTITUTION MUST BE PRESERVED.

OUR LAWS MUST BE HONORED AND RESPECTED.

THE BLOOD SHED AND SACRIFICE OF FELLOW AMERICANS CANNOT WITH IGNORED OR TRAMPLED.

OUR ACTIONS ON THE VOTE TAKEN TODAY MUST BE FOR NO PERSONAL GAIN OR GRANDEUR.

THE TRUTH IS, NO LONGER FOR ALL, IT IS NOR ONE MAN, DONALD J. TRUMP.

HIS TRUTH, HIS WAY, WE MUST REJECT THAT ABUSE OF POWER BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AMERICA.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON SAID IMPEACHMENT -- >> THE GENTLE LADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THE GENTLE LADY'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> A PLEASURE TO YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO MR. MITCHELL.

>> GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> TODAY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTES ON TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ALL AMERICAN RECOGNIZED THAT IMPEACHMENT IS A SAFETY VALVE, RARELY USED, ONLY WHEN A PRESIDENT ACTS IN A MANNER TO THREATEN THE BASIS OF OUR REPUBLIC.

AS WE CAST VOTES, THE FUTURE TONE OF THIS HOUSE AND POLITICS IN THIS NATION MUST BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.

THIS IS NOT WHETHER WE AGREE WITH OR LIKE THE PRESIDENT'S RHETORIC, POLITICAL TACTICS, USE OF TWITTER, POLICY CHOICES OR HIS POLITICAL RALLIES.

ONE OF OUR FOUNDERS, ALEXANDER HAMILTON WARNED THE RISKS OF IMPEACHMENT BECOMING A SOLELY PARTISAN ACT IN THE FEDERALIST PAPERS.

THIS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY AND THESE ARTICLES DO NOT HEED THAT WARNING.

THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE WEAPONIZING IMPEACHMENT AND MAKING IT AN ELECTION TOOL.

I CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE EVIDENCE AND CONTRARY TO SOME CONSIDERED OUR HISTORY, FOUNDING DOCUMENTS AND OUR FUTURE.

IT'S CAR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THESE ARTICLES DO NOT CONSTITUTE TREASON, BRIBERY OR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

SIMPLY DON'T LIKE HIM.

I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THESE ARTICLES AND HOPE SOME DAY WE RETURN TO SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MR. RICHMOND.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, PRESIDENT TRUMP ON JANUARY 20th, 2017 RAISED HIS HAND AND SWORN TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

NOW WE MUST PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION FROM HIM.

MAD DOM SPEAKER, I RISE NOT TO DISPARAGE AND EMBARRASS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BUT TO DEFEND OUR PRECIOUS DEMOCRACY.

I SPEAK TODAY NOT BECAUSE I HATE THIS PRESIDENT BUT BECAUSE I LOVE THIS BODY, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

I HAVE HEARD REPUBLICANS SAY WHY ARE WE RUSHING TO JUDGMENT?

THIS IS NOT A RUSH TO JUDGMENT.

ITS A RUSH TO JUSTICE.

WE MUST NOT DELAY.

CORRUPTION IS CORROSIVE.

EATS LIKE ACID.

THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE MORE TIME WE ALLOW FOR THIS PRESIDENT TO DO HARM TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR DEMOCRACY.

JUST LAST WEEK RUDY GULIANI WAS BACK AT IT IN UKRAINE.

SO PLEASE DON'T TELL US TO WAIT BECAUSE THE CORRUPTION CONTINUES.

THERE'S A FAMOUS QUOTE THAT SAYS, POLITICIANS WORRY ABOUT THE NEXT ELECTION.

STATESMAN WORRY ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION.

TODAY CALLS UPON US TO BE STATESMEN AND STATES WOMEN.

DEMOCRAT, REPUBICAN AND INDEPENDENT.

OUR ELECTION IS UNDER ATTACK FROM WITHIN.

SO TO MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, MANY OF WHOM SPEND A LIFETIME TRY TOING BUILD A REPUTATION OF HONESTY AND COURAGE.

I BEG YOU, DON'T THROW THAT AWAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT, NOR WILL HE APPRECIATE IT PAST THE NEXT TWEET OR NEXT WEEK.

MY FEAR, MY PREDICTION IS THAT HIS ACTIONS WILL CONTINUE.

MADAM SPEAKER, DONALD TRUMP SAID I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT.

HE ALSO BRAGGED THAT HE COULD SHOOT SOMEONE ON FIFTH AVENUE AND GET AWAY WITH.

HIS SHOOTING HOLES IN OUR CONSTITUTION ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, IN OUR HOUSE, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE MUST DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION FROM A DOMESTIC ENEMY TO THE RULE OF LAW, DONALD TRUMP.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT GENERATIONS TO COME TO BLAME ME FOR LETTING OUR DEMOCRACY DIE.

I THEREFORE RISE IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHING DONALD TRUMP.

WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

AT THIS POINT I YIELD 1 1/2 MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSOURI.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS CHARADE.

IF THERE WAS EVER ANY DOUBT THAT THIS ENTIRE INVESTIGATION IS 100% POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, EARLIER THIS MONTH SPEAKER PELOSI ADMITTED THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS BEGAN 2 1/2 YEARS AGO.

LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAID THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REMOVE FROM OFFICE SINCE THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE OUTCOME THEY WANTED.

ANOTHER DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUE ADMITTED IN MAY THAT THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THEIR ACTIONS IS "IF WE DON'T IMPEACH HIM, HE WILL GET RE-ELECTED."

THIS IS A POLITICAL CRUSADE.

TO ARRIVE AT THEIR PREDETERMINED CONCLUSION, HOUSE DEMOCRATS SPENT MONTHS WITH WELL-REHEARSED GROUP FUELED BY STAFF.

EVEN WITH THE ODDS SO STACKED, DEMOCRATS STILL CAME UP WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

AWHILE AGO, THE SPEAKER SPOKE ON THE PLEDGE O ALLEGIANCE.

THE LAST PHRASE OF THE PLEDGE IS "JUSTICE FOR ALL."

JUSTICE IS NOT SOMETHING AFORKEDED THE PRESIDENT DURING AN INVESTIGATION.

HE WAS DENIED DUE PROCESS.

SOMETHING THE SUPREME COURT SAID SHOULD BE AFFORDED IN ALL CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT MAKES THIS PROCESS ILLEGAL AND ILLEGITIMATE.

WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A SHAM.

WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK.

>> RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLE LADY FROM TEXAS, MRS. GARCIA.

>> GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> I DIDN'T COME TO CONGRESS TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

EVEN WHEN HE SEPARATED BABIES FROM THEIR PARENTS AT THE BORDER.

EVEN WHEN HE TOOK MONEY FROM OUR TROOPS TO BUILD HIS WALL.

NO, I DIDN'T CALL FOR IMPEACHMENT.

BECAUSE I'M HERE TO MAKE A DITCHES IN THE LIVES OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

YET HERE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A NSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.

AS A FORMER JUDGE, I TOOK MY RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY TO WEIGH THE EVIDENCE AND DETERMINE IF THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS ARE IMPEACHABLE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE EVIDENCE IN THE INTELLIGENCE AND JUDICIARY REPORTS LEAVES US WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT.

SO I STAND ON MY OATH THAT I HAVE SWORN TO THE CONSTITUTION AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND TODAY I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO STAND BY THEY OATHS, TOO.

THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION INCLUDED IMPEACHMENT AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST A CORRUPT RESPECT WHOSE MISCONDUCT COULD DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF OUR COUNTRY.

DONALD J. TRUMP ABUSED HIS POWER WHEN HE OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS AND ORDERED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS NOT TO APPEAR BEFORE US.

DONALD TRUMP CORRUPTED OUR ELECTION WHEN HE ASKED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE FOR HIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN.

TODAY SADLY, I ASKED MY COLLEAGUES, WILL YOU PUT YOUR PARTY OVER OUR COUNTRY?

OR WILL YOU HELP SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY AND VOTE YES ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE YOU.

I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES.

I YIELD BACK.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE AN INQUIRY AS TO THE TIME REMAINING FOR BOTH SIDES.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS 2 HOURS AND 22 1/2 MINUTES.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS 2 HOURS AND 27 1/2 MINUTES LEFT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS POINT, I YIELD NOW TO 1 1/2 MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM IOWA, MR. KING.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I START OFF FIRST THAT THIS IS THE LARGEST AND MOST MASSIVE COVER-UP OF SUCH A LIST OF CRIMES AGAINST OUR COUNTRY AND IT GOES SO FAR TO BRING IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS TO TRY TO COVER THIS UP.

I WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO OCTOBER 2015 WHEN BARACK OBAMA SAID HILLARY CLINTON WOULD NEVER JEOPARDIZE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

YET PETER STRZOK WROTE THE STATEMENT DEIVERED TO JAMES COMEY.

JOE BIDEN GOES TO UKRAINE AND MAKES A STATEMENT HERE'S A BILLION DOLLARS BUT YOU MUST DO WHAT I TELL YOU TO DO.

YOU'RE ACCUSING DONALD TRUMP OF DOING THAT WHICH JOE BIDEN HAS CONFESSED TO DOING.

BY THE WAY, JOE BIDEN WAS NOT THE OPPONENT OF DONALD TRUMP.

HE'S IN A 21-WAY PRIMARY.

HE'S RUNS THIRD.

HOW WOULD ANYBODY DECIDE HE'S GOING OVERSEAS AND PAL THIS MANEUVER?

YOU HAVE TO ASSIGN HIM A MOW TENT.

YOU CREATE THE DOTS GO DOT TO DOT.

THE REALITY IS IT WAS BIDEN DOING THE EXTORTION OF THE POWER PLAY IN ORDER TO PROTECT HIS OWN SON.

IT WAS DONALD TRUMP THAT WAS FOLLOWING THE LAW THAT SAID YOU HAVE TO ENSURE THERE'S NOT CORRUPTION HERE BEFORE THIS MONEY IS HANDED OVER.

BY THE WAY, THERE WAS A VIOLENT WAR GOING ON IN UKRAINE.

THAT'S WHEN WE SENT BLANKETS AND MREs OVER THERE UNDER BARACK OBAMA.

BUT WHEN I HEAR FROM THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. JOHNSON, HE DOESN'T THINK HE CAN WIN THE ELECTION FAIR AND SQUARE, SO HE WILL CHEAT I HEARD THAT HEAR ON THIS FLOOR.

NO, IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

YOUR NUMBER 1 PROPONENT IS AL GREEN OF TEXAS.

HE SAID THOSE VERY SAME THINGS AND THEY BROUGHT THIS CASE NOVEMBER 9 THE DAY AFTER TRUMP WAS ELECTED.

I YIELD BACK.

>> I YIELD.

>> RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLE LADY FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, WORDS MATTER.

WE'VE HEARD MANY WORDS OVER THE COURSE OF THESE LAST WEEKS.

STILL WHAT STRIKES ME ARE THE WORDS THAT ARE MISSING FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

A GAPPING HOLE IN THIS CONVERSATION.

THE WORDS THAT THEY CANNOT OR WILL NOT MOUTH.

DEFENDING A PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT.

CONDUCT THAT THREATENS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER.

SO SPEAKER, I ASK, WHEN IS IT EVER RIGHT FOR A PRESIDENT TO CO COERCE A FOREIGN POWER?

WHEN IS IT RIGHT FOR A PRESIDENT TO INTIMIDATE A LEADER BY ANNOUNCING INVESTIGATIONS INTO A POLITICAL RIVAL?

WHEN IS IT RIGHT FOR HIM TO WITHHOLD CONGRESSIONALL LY APPROPRIATED AT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY?

WHEN IS IT RIGHT FOR A PRESIDENT TO BLOCK A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT?

THAT ANSWER IS NEVER.

THAT DOESN'T COME FROM THE TONGUES OF THOSE MAKING THE CHOICE TO STAND BEHIND A MAN WHOSE BEHAVIOR IS NOT WORTHY OF YOUR TORTURED WORDS.

BUT OUR VOTE TODAY, WE'RE SPEAKING TO FUTURE PRESIDENTS AND TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.

WE'RE DECLARING THAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

AMERICANS ALONE WILL DETERMINE THE OUTCOME.

WE WILL NOT PERMIT A PRESIDENT TO ORDER THE COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

IN THE END, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS IMPEACHMENT, THE PRESIDENT'S TEN YOUR WILL END IN THIS BODY AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE LEFT WITH WHAT WE DID HERE TODAY.

OURS IS A SOMBER GENERATIONAL DUTY ABOUT LOVE OF COUNTRY AND LIFTING A CONSTITUTION TO ITS GRAVEST PROTECTIONS AND HIGHEST ASPIRATIONS.

IT'S A MATTER OF CONSCIOUS.

BY VOTING TO SAFEGUARD OUR CONTUSION, MINE IS CLEAR.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLE LADY YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> WE'VE FOLLOWED A SHAM PROCESS AND FOLLOWING THE FACTS IN ONE VOTE.

LY REMIND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THAT SAID WE CAN'T TRUST THE VOTERS, IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.

GENTLE LADY FROM ARIZONA.

>> GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> AS YOU KNOW, I SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND RULES COMMITTEE.

I SPENT HOURS, HOURS POURING OVER TESTIMONY, LOOKING AT DOCUMENTS, SITTING IN HEARINGS.

YOU KNOW THE CONCLUSION THAT I GOT FROM ALL OF THAT, THIS IMPEACHMENT IS A TOTAL JOKE AND A TOTAL SHAM.

AND LET ME TELL YOU ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THINK THAT.

ALL OF THOSE WITNESSES, THE 17 WITNESSES THAT THE DEMOCRATS BROUGHT FORWARD, NOT ONE OF THEM ESTABLISHED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP COMMITTED BRIBERY, TREASON, HIGH CRIMES OR MISDEMEANORS, WHICH IS REQUIRED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

AND AGAIN, 17 OUT OF 24 DEMOCRAT MEMBERS ON JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED ON THIS FLOOR TO MOVE FORWARD ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE THE PHONE CALL.

AND FIVE OUT OF NINE RULE COMMITTEE DEMOCRAT MEMBERS DID THE SAME THING.

SO IF THE MAIN PART OF YOUR IMPEACHMENT IS THE CALL, WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT PRIOR TO THE CALL?

I ALSO WANT TO REMIND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND OTHERS THAT FOR TWO YEARS ADAM SCHIFF CLAIMS HE HAD PROOF, PROOF THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD COLLUDED WITH RUSSIA.

THAT TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE.

OVERNIGHT, IT WAS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

THEN QUID PRO QUO, THEN BRIBERY, THEN EXTORTION.

THE LIST GOES ON.

BUT YET NOT ONE OF THOSE IS LISTED IN THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

TO MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES, MADAM CHAIR, I SAY PLEASE STOP TEARING THE COUNTRY APART.

STOP THIS SHAM.

I YIELD BACK.

>> RESERVE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> THE GENTLE LADY IS CORRECT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR IS NOT NEW.

HE HAS A PATTEN OF ENGAGING IN MISCONDUCT AND OBSTRUCTIONS INVESTIGATIONS TO COVER HIS ACTIONS AND HIDE THE TRUTH FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I YIELD TO THE GENTLE LADY FROM CALIFORNIA FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUESTS.

>> GENTLE LADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I RISE IN SUPPORT OF TODAY'S IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AND ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND MY REMARKS.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>> 1 MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM RHODE ISLAND.

, MR. LANGEVIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YIELDING.

OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON CERTAIN PRINCIPLES, THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE OF, BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

A SYSTEM OF THREE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE CHECKS AND BALANCES NECESSARY TO ENJOY THE PEOPLE'S VOICES ARE HEARD AND THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

TODAY SADLY WE'RE VOTING TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE HE'S PROVE HIS COVENANT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

IN DOING SO, WE'RE USING THE POWERS THE FOUNDING FATHERS INSHINED IN THE CONTUSION.

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR AND THE FACTS ARE NOT IN QUESTION.

THE PRESIDENT ENGAGED IN A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR AND UNDERMINED THE CHECKS AND BALANCES WE RELY ON BY OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS IN EVERY TURN.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE'S ABUSED THE POWER TO SOLICIT FOREIGN POWERS.

I WILL DO WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS SO OFT FAILED TO DO.

I WILL FULFILL MY OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> TODAY IS A SAD DAY.HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE POISED TO APPROACH ON A STRICTLY PARTY-LINE VOTE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BASED ON CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLAR JONATHAN TURLEY CALLED WAFER THIN EVIDENCE.

THIS WILL SET A DANGEROUS PRESENT WHERE IMPEACHMENT IS THE NORM.

THAT'S NOT WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS INTENDED.

THEY WANTED IMPEACHMENT TO BE , HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

ALLEGED ABUSE OF POWER, THE FIRST ARTICLE IS NOT A HIGH CRIME AND MISDEMEANOR.

IN FACT IT'S NOT EVEN A CRIME.

SINCE THERE'S NO CONCISE LEGAL DEFINITION OF ABUSE OF POWER, THE IMAGINITY PARTY IN THE HOUSE CAN DESIGNATED NEARLY ANY DISAGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT FROM NOW ON ONLY IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

THE SECOND ARTICLE ALLEGED OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WOULD PRODUCE A SIMILARLY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT, ASSERTING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, A PRACTICE THAT BEGAN WITH GEORGE WASHINGTON IS NOT OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

RATHER, IT'S A FUNCTION OF THE ESSENTIAL CHECKS AND BALANCES CONTEMPLATED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

HERE'S WHAT NEARLY EVERY GRADE-SCHOOL STUDENT IN AMERICA KNOWS BUT APPARENTLY HOUSE DEMOCRATS DO NOT.

IF CONGRESS DISAGREES WITH THE PRESIDENT, IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT, TAKE IT TO COURT.

LET THE THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT DECIDE.

THEY'RE THE REFS.

THE PRESIDENT HAS NEVER ABUSED OBSTRUCTION OF POWER FOR IMPEACHMENT.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY.

THEY HAVE A LACKLY THEORY WHICH ALL FOUR PRESIDENTS ON MT.

RUSHMORE COULD A IMPEACHED.

IF THIS SOUNDS ABSURD IT'S BECAUSE IT'S ABSURD.

IN FACT THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS ABSURD AND HAS BEEN FROM THE OUTSET.

BUT HERE'S WHAT'S NOT ABSURD BUT RATHER FRIGHTENING.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS TODAY ARE SETTING A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT UNDER WHICH NO FUTURE PRESIDENT WILL BE IMMUNE FROM EMME.

AND THAT WILL -- IMPEACHMENT AND THAT FOREVER NEGATIVELY TARNISH THE HISTORY OF THIS HOUSE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT CONSTITUTED THE HIGHEST OF HIGH CRIMES AGAINST OUR COUNTRY.

AN OFFENSE DOES NOT HAVE TO VIOLATE A CRIMINAL STATUTE TO BE IMPEACHABLE.

THAT WAS AFFIRMED IN PRESIDENT NIXON'S CASE AND AGAIN IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S.

THERE'S NO HIGHER CRIME THAN FOR THE PRESIDENT TO USE THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO CORRUPT OUR ELECTION.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN.

>> THE GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS JULY PRESIDENT TRUMP BLOCKED 400 MILLION IN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED AID THAT UKRAINE GUESS PARETOLY NEEDED TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIA BECAUSE HE NEEDED UKRAINE TO DO HIM A FAVOR FIRST.

HE ASKED THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO LAUNCH A PUBLIC INVESTIGATION INTO A POLITICAL RIVAL, MILITARY AIDS AND OTHER BENEFITS WOULD ONLY COME AFTER BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT A SINGLE CALL OR A SINGLE TRANSCRIPT.

THIS IS ABOUT A PERFORM, MONTHS -- PERFECT STORM FOR THE PRESIDENT TO HIS SENIOR CABINETS AND POLITICAL APPOINTEE, A PLAN TO PROMOTE A FOREIGN POWER INTERFERE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP BETRAYED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HE ABUSE THE POWER OF HIS FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN AND HAS REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH THE CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS A VOTE OF THE CONSTITUTION SETTING THE FUTURE FOR DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS.

DONALD TRUMP MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS.

TODAY WE SEND A CLEAR SIGNAL TO THIS PRESIDENT AND ALL FUTURE PRESIDENTS, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

I YALD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM KANSAS MR. MARSHALL.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE LEGITIMATELY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

ENOUGH.

MADAM SPEAKER, FOR THE LOVE OF THIS COUNTRY, ENOUGH.

ENOUGH OF THIS IMPEACHMENT CIRCUS, ENOUGH OF THESE SHAM WITCH HUNDREDS.

I'M VOTING NO BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.

THE ONLY THING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GUILTY OF IS DOING THE THINGS HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

AND IF MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES WERE HONEST, THEY TELL US THE ONLY THING PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GUILTY OF IS NOT BEING HILLARY CLINTON.

THE ONLY GUILTY PARTY OF OBSTRUCTION ABUSE OF POWER OR WHATEVER FOCUS GROUPS ARE USING TODAY IS THE PARTY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS AISLE.

THEY ARE OBSTRUCTING THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THEY ARE OBSTRUCTING THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF OUR COUNTRY BY POLITICALLY WEAPONNIZING IMPEACHMENT, THEY HE HAVE DANGEROUSLY SHATTERED THE PRESIDENT AND ABUSED OUR CONSTITUTION.

THEY ALONE WILL BEAR THIS RESPONSIBILITY.

MADAM SPEAKER, THEY'LL FAIL AND IT'S NO WONDER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THIS BODY.

IT'S PAST TIME BE DONE WITH THIS CIRCUS AND GET TO THING WORK THAT MATTERS LIKE SECURING OUR BORDERS AND PASSING TRADE DEALS.

I WILL VOTE NO AND ENCOURAGE THIS BODY TO MOVE ON FROM THIS HEART BREAKING DISGRACEFUL DAY TO THINGS THAT ACTUALLY MATTER.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN IN NORTH CAROLINA MR. PRICE.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THE MOMENT OUR FOUNDERS ANTICIPATED IN ESTABLISHING THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT HAS ARRIVED.

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED HIS POWER BY ASKING A VULNERABLE FOREIGN LEADER TO INVESTIGATE BOTH HIS POLITICAL RIVAL AND A BASELESS RUSSIAN CONSPIRACY THEORY.

WHILE WITHHOLDING CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED DEFENSE AID AND A COVETED WHITE HOUSE VISIT.

HE THEN BLOCKS CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ABUSES.

THESE ABUSES THREATEN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, THEY CORRUPT OUR DIPLOMACY AND THEY UNDERMIND NATIONAL SECURITY.

WE SOMETIMES REGARD CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES AS THE INDESTRUCTIBLE UNDER PINNINGS OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

IN FACT THEY'RE NOT FIXED, THEY'RE NOT INDESTRUCTIBLE.

THE PRESIDENT HAS DUMPED DENIED THIS BEYOND OUR DOUBT.

IT'S UP TO THE -- DEMGD THIS BEYOND OUR -- DEMONSTRATED THIS BEYOND OUR DOUBT.

THE THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY ARE REAL AND PRESENT.

WITH THIS VOTE WE AFFIRM THAT NO ONE, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, IS ABOVE THE LAW.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY IT'S TROUBLING TO SEE THE DIVISIVE WAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE CARRIED OUT THIS INTERIOR PROCESS.

I GUE -- ENTIRE PROCESS.

THEY WANTED TO UNSEAT THIS PRESIDENT SINCE THE DAY HE TOOK HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

FROM THE START, THIS HAS BEEN A BASELESS ATTEMPT TO UNDO THE WILL OF 63 MILLION AMERICANS WHO VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I CAN TELL YOU, THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT IN KENTUCKY, THE VERY PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THIS PRESIDENT TO ENACT CHANGE AND FIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE APPALLED AT THE CHARADE THEY'VE SEEN IN THE HOUSE IN RECENT MONTHS.

THEY ARE APPALLED AT THE ACTIONS FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE FAILED TO EVEN COME CLOSE TO PROVING THEIR CASE.

I HOPE ALL OF MY CONGRESSIONAL COLLEAGUES CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE PRECEDENT THEY ARE SETTING BY VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS SHAM PROCESS AND THESE ILLEGITIMATE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THESE ARTICLES WERE WRITTEN AND BUILT UNDER A REPORT THAT WAS DRAFTED WITH BIAS PRESUMPTIONS, CHERRY-PICKED WITNESSES AND VASTLY DISPUTED FACTS.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT COMMIT ANY IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

AND IT'S CLEAR FOR ALL OF US TO SEE THROUGH THE NOW VERY WELL-KNOWN TRANSCRIPT THIS RIGGED PROCESS SETS A CONCERTING PRECEDENT FOR IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES MOVING FORWARD.

AND I WHOLEHEARTEDLY OPPOSE THESE BASELESS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. PETERS.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MANY HAVE LAMENTED THIS THE IS NOT BIPARTISAN BUT THAT'S FROM MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.

THEY HAVE NOT SOUGHT THE TRUTH.

THEY HAVE DEMEANED WITNESSES, PATRIOTS, CAREER WARRIORS AND DIPLOMATS WHO HAVE PROVIDED EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

NO HOUSE REPUBLICAN HAVE JOINED US TO DEMAND THE DOCUMENTS AND WITNESSES THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS REFUSED TO PRODUCE.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS THIS WEEK HAS ANNOUNCED PRECEDE TRUMP HIMSELF CAN SET THE RULES OF HIS OWN TRIAL AND THERE WILL BE NO FACT WITNESSES.

REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO SEEK THE TRUTH AND CONDEMN LEADERS OF POWER NOR TO WORK WITH US TO PREVENT THIS ONGOING BEHAVIOR IN THE FUTURE AND THAT'S THE TRAGEDY OF TODAY'S EVENT.

IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS HAVE GONE INTO BATTLE WITHOUT RESERVATION TO FIGHT FOR OUR REPUBLIC AS THEY STILL DO TODAY.

HAVE BEEN GRAVELY INJURED AND SOME HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BUT TODAY IN CONTRAST FOR FEAR OF LOSING AN ELECTION, MY COLLEAGUES WILL NOT SPEAK UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW OR AGAINST PRESIDENTIAL ABUSE OF POWER.

VOTERS MAY GIVE THEM A PASS BUT HISTORY WILL JUDGE THEM HARSHLY.

I WILL VOTE FOR THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE NOW TO YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM GEORGIA AND FRIEND MR. COLLINS.

MADAM SPEAKER I RISE SEWED IN OPPOSITION NOT ONLY TO THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BUT TO THE PROCESS THAT'S BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT.

OUR CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS ARE ALL ABOUT PROCESS.

OUR FOUNDERS KNEW THAT A GOVERNMENT WITHOUT CONSTRAINTS COULD ACCUSE ANYONE OF ANY CRIME AT ANY TIME EVEN WITHOUT COMPELLING EVIDENCE.

THAT'S WHY THE FIFTH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS ESTABLISHED A BED ROCK PRINCIPLE OF INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

ON NOVEMBER 14TH, SPEAKER PELOSI INFORMED THE PRIEST THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD -- THE PRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD PROVE HIS INNOCENCE.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW YOUR INNOCENCE THEN HE SHOULD MAKE THAT KNOWN.

THE CONSTITUTION ALSO GUARANTEES THAT THE ACCUSED CAN CALL WITNESSES TO TESTIFY ON THEIR BEHALF BUT THE REPUBLICANS AND 9 PRESIDENT WERE TYPICALLY DENIED THAT RIGHT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

THE 6TH AMENDMENT GUARANTEES THE RIGHT OF THE DEFENDANT TO CE THEIR ACCUSER BUT NOT ONLY HAVE THE DEMOCRATS PROHIBITED THE REPUBLICANS AND THE PRESIDENT FROM QUESTIONING THE SO-CALLED WHISTLEBLOWER HIS IDENTITY HAS BEEN KEPT SECRET.

BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS HISTORIC VOTE TODAY ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS I WANT YOU TO KEEP THIS IN MIND.

WHEN JESUS WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF TREASON, PONTIUS PILATE GAVE JESUS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FACE HIS ACCUSERS.

DURING THAT SHAM TRIAL PONTIUS PILATE AFFORDED MORE RIGHT TO JESUS THAN THE DEMOCRATS HAVE AFFORDED THIS PRESIDENT IN THIS PROCESS.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> THE PRESIDENT WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND TESTIFY BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO SEND HIS COUNSEL, TO QUESTION WITNESSES, HE DECLINED TO DO SO.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.

>> ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.

THE PRESIDENT HAS ABUSED THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE, BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST AND UNDERMINDED AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY BY PRESSURING A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL GAIN.

IN THIS MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY, THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR.

THE REMEDY FOR SUCH MISCONDUCT BY A PRESIDENT IS IMPEACHMENT.

I DIDN'T COME HERE TO CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BUT SADLY THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT LEAVES US NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION.

I HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN.

MY GRANDDAUGHTER KATLYN IS EIGHT AND MY GRANDSON COLLIN IS FOUR.

SOME DAY, A LONG TIME FROM NOW, THEY'LL ASK ME ABOUT THIS DAY.

THEY'LL ASK ABOUT THE TIME A PRESIDENT PUT HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW.

AND THEY'LL WANT TO KNOW WHAT I DID TO STOP HIM.

AND I WILL HAVE AN ANS ANSWER FR THEM.

TODAY I WILL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS SUPPOSEDLY GIVEN RIGHTS TO THE COMMITTEE BUT WHO WOULD HE ASK QUESTIONS OF, THREE LAW SCHOOL PROFESSORS AND A STAFF MEMBER.

NOT A LAW OF DUE PROCESS THERE.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> THE GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> MADAM SPEAKER WE ARE HOLD TODAY BECAUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE SPEND UPWARDS OF $30 MILLION DOLLARS TRYING TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND COME UP WITH NOTHING.

BECAUSE OF THE RADICAL LEFT WING DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO MAKE UP FUTURE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS INVALID UNTIL JUDGED WORTHY BY THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PERHAPS THE GREATEST DENIAL OF REALITY REGARDING PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT UNDER HIS POLICIES, THINGS ARE ACTUALLY GOING MUCH BETTER THAN THEY HAVE IN DECADES FOR WORKING AMERICANS.

WE'RE A DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC IN WHICH POWER FLOWS FROM WE THE PEOPLE TO OUR PRESIDENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY THINKS OTHERWISE.

THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE ENTITLED TO RULE US EVEN IN THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE RULE TO INVALIDATE THE VOTE AND WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY IT DOES NOT MATTER IN THIS CHARADE OF IMPEACHMENT.

I BELIEVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE RECOGNIZE AND SHARE MY URGENCY ABOUT WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE.

MADAM SPEAKER, YOU AND YOUR MAJORITY MAY DECIDE TODAY BUT I HAVE FAITH THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DECIDE OTHERWISE NEXT NOVEMBER.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM WASHINGTON.

>> GENTLELADY'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION.

AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING ALL OF EVIDENCE AND THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEFORE US, IT IS CLEAR THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY AND OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS.

I DID NOT COME TO THIS CONCLUSION LIGHTLY.

IMPEACHMENT IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER BUT NO PRESIDENT CAN BE ALLOWED TO PRESSURE A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN.

NO PRESIDENT IS ABOVE THE LAW.

HIS BEHAVIOR HAS JEOPARDIZED THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, PUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK AND PLACED HIS PERSONAL INTERESTS ABOVE THOSE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

HIS OBSTRUCTION HAS PREVENT THE HOUSE FROM CONDUCTING ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY OF OVERSIGHT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BY FAILING TO UPHOLD HIS OATH OF OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP FORCES EACH OF US AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO UPHOLD OURS.

I URGE MEYER CO MY COLLEAGUES TT THAT AND DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MILLION AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I OPPOSE THIS IMPEACHMENT EFFORT AND VOTE NO.

I REPRESENT THE FIFTH DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA WHO HAS SHAPED THE GREAT COUNTRY WE ARE LIVING IN TODAY.

THOMAS JEFFERSON AND JAMES MADISON ARE NOT AROUND TO SEE WHAT THEIR CREATION HAS BECOME BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD BE PLEASED TO SEE CONGRESS SUBVERTING THE WILL OF DEMOCRACY BY HOLDING AN IMPEACHMENT VOTE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY PARTY SIMPLY CANNOT ACT CEPT THE 2016 ELECTION.

INSTEAD OF WASTING THE TAXPAYER'S TIME AND MONEY WE COULD HAVE FASTED LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLING, SECURE THE BORDER, ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, REDUCE STUDENT DEBT AND LIFT KNEE THAT OTHER AMERICANS ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT.

TODAY WE MIGHT HAVE A VOTE ON THE USMCA WE SHOULD HAVE PASSED MONTHS AGO IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE DELAYS FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

DELAYS LIKE THE ONE TODAY THAT HAS LED UP TO TODAY'S VOTE THE NATURE AND ENTIRE PROCESS REEKS OF BUREAUCRATS AND POLITICIANS THAT PUT POLITIC OVER PEOPLE.

I WAS NOT ELECTED TO TAKE POLITICAL VOTES IN AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I RAN FOR OFFICE TO SERVE MY CONSTITUENTS LET'S REMEMBER THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE.

WEWEAPON NAYSING IS NOT A WAY -- TO ARGUE WITH A PERSON WHO HAS RENOUNCED THE USE OF REASON IS LIKE ADMINISTERING MEDICINE TO THE DEAD.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD REMIND THE GENTLEMAN THAT THE HOUSE HAS PASSED OVER 400 BILLS.

275 BIPARTISAN BILLS.

DRIVING DOWN COSTS OF HEALTHCARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, RAISING WAGES, REBUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THESE ARE SITTING ON MR. INCOME COUNSEL'S DESK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I THANK YOU FOR YIELDING.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SWEAR A SOLEMN OATH TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AND TODAY WE FULFILL OUR OATHS BY DEFENDING LIBERTY.

THE CENTRAL FIGURE TESTING AMERICA'S RESOLVE IS NOT HERE IN WASHINGTON TODAY.

RAFT THE CLOSETED VILLAIN SITS IN MOSCOW WITH THE KREMLIN.

VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS COORDINATED MURDERS, ELECTION HACKING, PROPAGANDA, THE ENTRAPMENT OF WILLING FOOLS AND GREEDING UNDERLINGS WHO PUT THEIR OWN SELFISH INTEREST OVER LIBERTY.

PUTIN SEEKS TO DISARRAY AND DESTABILIZE DEMOCRACIES AND THE NATO ALLIANCE.

AT PUTIN'S DIRECTION RUSSIA ILLEGALLY INVADED UKRAINE IN 2014 AND AS UKRAINE DEFENDS EUROPE'S YEARN FLANK 14,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH OVER 2 MILLION DISPLACED.

PRESIDENTS ESTABLISHED UP TO PUTIN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS MINIONS AIDED PUTIN FIRST IN THE 2016 ELECTIONS AND THEN MORE RECENTLY WITHHOLDING VITAL MILITARY AID FROM UKRAINE TO OWE URLS INTERFARYNLZ FOR MR. TRUMP'S PERSONAL GAIN.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> VOTE FOR ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THESE BASELESS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND UNPRECEDENTED PROCESS THAT'S BEEN USED TO IMPEACH THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A MOCKERY OF AMERICAN JUSTICE.

IN 1788, ONE OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS ALEXANDER HAMILTON WROTE IN THE FEDERALISTS PAPERS IN MANY CASES IMPEACHMENT WILL CONNECT ITSELF WITH THE PREEXISTING FACTIONS.

IN SUCH CASES THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE GREATEST DANGER THAT THE DECISION WILL BE REGULATED MORE BY THE COMPARABLE STRENGTH OF PARTIES MAJORITY AND MINORITY THAN BY REAL DEMONSTRATIONS OF INNOCENCE OR GUILT.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

IT MEANS THE MAJORITY CAN EXERT ITS INFLUENCE REGARDLESS OF JUSTICE.

IN THIS STATEMENT, HAMILTON WARNED US ABOUT THE DANGER OF MOB RULE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A CRIMINAL AND HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A CRIME FOR THREE YEARS.

BUT THIS PRESIDENT HAS NOT COMMITTED A CRIME.

AS THE LEADER OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, THE PRESIDENT HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION IN COUNTRIES TO WHICH WE PROVIDE AID.

THIS IS NOT AN ABUSE OF POWER, IT IS HIS JOB.

ONE OF THE ARTICLE IS OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

THE ONLY THING THAT'S BEEN OBSTRUCTED IS THIS PRESIDENT'S RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS.

I DON'T BLAME THE PRESIDENT FOR REFUSING TO FULLY PARTICIPATE AND IS GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT CIRCUS.

THIS IS NOT HOW OUR FOUNDING FATHERS FRAMED AMERICAN JUSTICE.

THIS IS A STRATEGIC DAY IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT HATE THIS PRESIDENT MORE THAN THEY LOVE THIS COUNTRY.

OUR COUNTRY NEEDS PRAYER AND NOT THIS DESTRUCTIVE PARTISANSHIP.

THANK YOU.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER THE PRESIDENT'S OBSTRUCTION IS UNPRESS DENTED AND CATEGORICAL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CLAIMS THAT THE HOUSE CANNOT INVESTIGATE HIS MISCONDUCT OUTSIDE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

HE DEFIES THE SUBPOENAS AND THEN SUES TO BLOCK THIRD PARTIES FROM COMPLYING WITH SUCH SUBPOENAS.

EVEN AS HE PURSUES HIS OWN INTEREST IN COURT HIS ADMINISTRATION SIMULTANEOUSLY ARGUE THAT CONGRESS IS BARRED FROM OBTAINING JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT WHEN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS DISREGARDED SUBPOENAS.

SO WHEN CAN THE PRESIDENT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS WRONGDOING.

IN HIS MIND NEVER.

THE CONSTITUTION HOWEVER DISAGREES.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

>> GENTLELADY'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER.

MY WORDS ARE MY ONLY RECOMMEND DETODAY INSPITE OF THE UPCOMING D.C. STATEHOOD VOTE WE EXPECT SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE NO VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT OR ON ANY OTHER MATTER ON THIS FLOOR NOW.

I SPOKE ON THIS FLOOR ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON 20 YEARS AGO.

UNLIKE THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT, ON PERJURY CONCERNING AN AFFAIR WITH AN INTERN, TWRUM'S IMPEACHMENT TURNS ON SABOTAGE OF NATIONAL SECURITY TO GET HIMSELF RE-ELECTED.

CLINTON REPENTED.

TRUMP INSISTS THAT HE DID NOTHING WRONG.

THAT'S A PROMISE TO CONTINUE HIS LONG PATTERN OF ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

IMPEACHMENT IS OUR ONLY RECOURSE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD TWO MINUTES FROM THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO AND THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> GENTLEMAN RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> TODAY DEMOCRATS LOWER THE BAR FOR IMPEACHMENT.

UNDER THE STANDARD A PRESIDENT CAN BE IMPEACHED IN THE ABSENCE OF A CRIME WITHOUT DUE PROCESS AND FOR ASSERTING A LEGALLY CONSTITUTIONALLY RECOGNIZED PRIVILEGE.

HISTORY SHOWS DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTS HAVE ABUSED POWER TO UNDERMIND DEMOCRACY AND WIN ELECTIONS AND YET THEY HAVE BEEN BEEN IMPEACHED.

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT USED THE IRS TO TARGET HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

HIS SON LATER ADMITTED FDR USED QUOTE THE IRS AS A POLITICAL RETRIBUTION.

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY USEDDED FBI TO WIRE TAP AND MONITOR POLITICAL OPPONENTS INCLUDING CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.

HE DEPORTED ONE OF HIS MISS TREFSZ TO AVOID SCANDAL.

PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON SPID ON GOLDWATER'S CAMPAIGN SIGNING OFF AND WIRETAPPING HIS OPPONENT AND GOLDWATER'S AIRPLANE AND USING A CII SPY TO OBTAIN COPIES OF GOLDWATER'S SPEECHES.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA REFUSED TO FASHION AND FURIOUS.

HIS UNCONSTITUTIOL APPOINTMENTS WERE UNANIMOUSLY STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT.

HE USED NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCIES TO LIE TO PEOPLE ABOUT BENGHAZI TO WIN THE 2012 ELECTION.

HE SPEC SPIED ON REPORTS.

HE SUBMITTED SERIES VIOLATIONS BEFORE THE THEY SPIED ON THE CAMPAIGN ASSOCIATES.

DESPITE ALL THIS REPUBLICANS DID NOT IMPEACH.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE FRAMERS DID NOT WANT A LOBAR FOR IMPEACHMENT.

THEY WANT CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES.

WHEN I ASKED PROFESSOR TURLEY IN A JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING IF ANY PRESIDENT COULD AVOID IMPEACHMENT WITH A LOW STANDARD, HE SAID NO.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I WOULD REMIND THE GENTLEMAN THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF INFORMATION TO CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER AND OTHERS TESTIFIED.

UNLIKE NOW.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM ILLINOIS MS. KELLY.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> STOWED IS A SOLEMN DAY IN AMERICA A DAY NONE OF US HOPED FOR WHEN WE CAME TO CONGRESS BUT EVENTS OF TODAY ARE SOMETHING EACH OF US SWORE THAT WE WERE PRESENTED TO EXECUTE IN DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

THIS IS THE OATH THAT BONDS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 116TH CONGRESS AS OUR DEMOCRACY IMPLORES WE DEFEND HER.

A CLEAR AND PRESENT THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS WHAT BRINGS US HERE.

THE ARCHITECT, A PRESIDENT WHO ASKS THAT A FOREIGN NATION INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTION.

THIS WAS OUR FOUNDING FATHERS GREATEST FEAR.

I PASS THIS SOLEMN VOTE FOR THE MANY INDIVIDUALS IN MY DISTRICT WHO ENTRUSTED ME TO BE THEIR VOICE IN CONGRESS.

THEY ENTRUSTED ME TO UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION FOR THEM.

I VOTE FOR SARAH IN CHICAGO, DOUG, DIANE, FOR KATHY, KATHRYN AND JIMMY.

THE FACTS ARE SIMPLE.

THE FAST FORWARD IS CLEAR.

IMPEACHMENT IS NOT AN OPTION, IT IS AN OBLIGATION BECAUSE NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU MAD U SPEAKER AND RANKING MEMBER COLLINS.

IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WE HAD A SAYING BLUFF.

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT.

I'LL GIVE YOU THE BOTTOM LINE.

DEMOCRATS ARE TERRIFIED THE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOING TO WIN RE-ELECTION.

THEY CAN'T BEAT HIM ON THE MERITS.

SO DEMOCRATS ARE CAVING TO THE FAR LEFT RATHER CULL BASE AND ARE USING THE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS AND ASSUMPTIONS OF UNNAMED BUREAUCRATS RATHER THAN RELYING ON FACTS AND LAW TO IMPEACH A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

LET ME BE CLEAR.

THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A POLITICAL HIT JOB.

I'VE BEEN ON ALL SIDES OF THE COURTROOM, I WAS A PROSECUTOR IN THE NAVY, I WAS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN THE NAVY AND I WAS A DISTRICT JUDGE IN MY HOME TOWN.

AS A LAWYER, I WOULD DEFEND THIS CASE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

AS A JUDGE, I WOULD DISMISS THIS ON DAY ONE FOR LACK OF MERITS.

THERE'S NO PRIME FACIA CASE HERE.

I'LL TELL YOU WHO I'D PROSECUTE THERE THOUGH.

I WOULD PROSECUTE ADAM SCHIFF FOR ABUSE OF POWER.

WHY?

HOW ABOUT THE FAX HE USED HIS POSITION OF CHAIRMAN TO HAVE SPHON RECORDS OF DENTURE NUNES.

HE DUMPED OVER 8,000 PAGES OF DOCUMENTS ON REPUBLICANS LESS THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE A HEARING.

THAT IS THE ABUSE OF POWER.

AN OBSTRUCTION?

I'D PROSECUTE THE DEMOCRATS FOR AWK SOBSTRUCTION.

DEMOCRATS VOTED DOWN MY REQUEST TO SUBPOENA THE WHISTLEBLOWER.

HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT CHAIRMAN NADLER REFUSED EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN REQUEST FOR A FACT WITNESS.

THAT IS OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

SO AGAIN, LET ME BE CLEAR.

TODAY IS NOTHING MORE THAN A POLITICAL HIT JOB.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN KWR5E8DZ BACK.

GENTT -- YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER ONCE AGAIN I HERE ATTACK ON DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BUT NOT ONE SINGLE WORD OF SUBSIVE DEFENSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA, MR. CONNELLY.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MAD U SPEAKER, EACH OF US HERE TOOK AN TOTE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOT THE PRESIDENT AND NOT OUR POLITICAL PARTY.

TODAY HISTORY WILL JUDGE, DID WE ABIDE THAT OATH.

TO EXTORT A FOREIGN COUNTRY, TO INVESTIGATE YOUR POLITICAL OPPONENT IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABUSE OF POWER.

TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN AN AMERICAN ELECTION IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABUSE OF POWER.

THE NEED TO PROTECT AGAINST JUST SUCH ABUSES PROMPTED OUR FATHERS TO GRANT THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT TO THIS HOUSE.

THE DELICATE P BALANCE OF POWER UNDER MINDS OUR DEMOCRACY WHEN THE PRESIDENT DISREGARDS THE CONSTITUTION BY OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS' POWER TO COVER UP ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR.

IN DOING THAT, PRESIDENT TRUMP VIOLATED HIS OATH.

STOAFD WE MUST COUNTRY OVER PARTY, OVER COMPLICITY.

TODAY WE ASSERT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

TODAY WEARISOMENED BY HISTORY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY NOT TRUE BUT I THINK THE SPEAKER'S ARE NOT WORKING ON THE MIN DECIDE BECAUSE I'VE TALKED ABOUT.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING REALLY FAST, NO COUPLITY, NOTHING WAS DENIED THEM THEY ACTUALLY GOT THE MONEY AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR IT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT'S A DISTRACTION AND DOESN'T NEED TO HAPPEN.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OH.

OHIO.>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZEDA MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROCEEDINGS BEGAN AFTER THE FOURTH VOTE TO LAUNCH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TODAY'S VOTE IS INEVITABLE.

OF THEM CAMPAIGNED ON IT.

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY WITH A SOLDIER'S PASSION.

I CAME HERE TO DEFEND FREEDOM NOT TO DENY DUE PROCESS TO ANYONE.

I CAME HERE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND CHANGE THE BROKEN STATUS QUO, NOT TO DISTRACT OR DISRESULT THOSE LIKE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WHO DELIVER ON PROMISES TO PUT AMERICA BACK ON THE PATH OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY THAT HAS MADE AND KEPT OUR COUNTRY FREE.

FOR MONTH NOW AMERICANS HAVE HEARD SPECULATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S MOTIVES IN UKRAINE.

DESPITE MONTHS OF EFFORTS DOZENS OF HEARINGS AND COUNTLESS DOCUMENTS AMERICANS HAVE NOT SEEN PROOF THAT THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED A HIGH CRIME OR A MISDEMEANOR.

WE HAVE A RENDIC IF WE CAN KEEP IT.

THIS IS DISGRACEFUL DISHONEST PROCESS.

IT'S A DISCREDIT TO THIS BODY AND TO OUR NATION.

I URGE THE HOUSE TO DROP THESE DEVICIVE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND GET TO WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I YIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, HOW MUCH, WOULD YOU TELL ME HOW MUCH TIME BOTH SIDES FROM LEFT, PLEASE?

>> FROM NEW YORK HAS TWO HOURS AND TWO MINUTES.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES.

>> MAD UNSPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZESSED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER IT IS CLEAR.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WITHHELD MILLION DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID TO AN ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO HELD BACK A WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO COMPEL A FOREIGN NATION TO INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

AT THE EXACT TIME THE PRESIDENT WAS DOING THIS, UKRAINE WAS ENGAGED IN A BATTLE FOR ITS VERY EXISTENCE WITH ONE OF AMERICA'S ADVERSADVERSARIES, RUSSIA.

THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER TO FORCE A FOREIGN NATION TO INVESTIGATE A POLITICAL -- THIS WAS A POLITICAL SHAKEDOWN.

THE PRESIDENT THEN TRIED TO BLOCK CONGRESS FROM EXERCISING ITS CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED DUTY TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US TODAY FACES A STARK CHOICE.

IF WE CHOOSE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO PUT POLITICAL EXPEED YOUNGY BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION, THEN WE ARE COM COMPLICIT IN THIS SUBVEN OF DEMOCRACY.

IF WE DO NOT HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE WE HAVE FAILED THE PEOPLE -- WE HAVE ABDICATED OUR OWN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALABAMA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZESSED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, IN THREE MONTHS, WE'VE GONE FROM AN UNSUBSTANTIATED HEARSAY AND DISCREDIT TO WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT TO THE PRODUCTION OF ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOT SINCE ANDREW JOHNSON HAS A HOUSE ENGAGED IN SUCH A PARTISAN POLITICAL STANT.

FROM THE BEGINNING, THIS HAS BEEN A SHAM AND THIS HOUSE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A STAR CHAIN BORROW.

THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY LITERALLY LOCKED THEMSELVES IN THE BASEMENT OF THIS BUILDING HIDING FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WHEN MY LEAGUES AND I REFUSED TO STAND FOR IT, DEMOCRATS MOVED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS BUT DENIED US QUESTIONS, DENIED US WITNESSES AND DENIED THE PRESIDENT ANY MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

WITH THIS COMPLETE ABUSE OF PROCESS THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HAS PRODUCED THE FLIIEST AND MOST LEGALLY UNSOUND ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THIS NATION.

NEVER BEFORE HAS THE HOUSE REPORTED AN ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT THAT DOES NOT ALLEGE AN UNDERLYING CRIME YET THIS MAJORITY WILL DO SO TODAY.

READ THE TRANSCRIPTS.

THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO, NO BRIBELY BREA, NO EXTORTION, CRIME OR ABUSE OF POWER.

THEY DENIAL ALLEGE A CRIME IN THE AFERLZ OF IMPEACHMENT.

THE PRESIDENT AND UKRAINIAN CORRUPTION IS NOT AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

IF THE DEAL, ARE HUNTER BIDEN WERE SO ABOVE BOARD YOU WOULD THINK THE MAJORITY WOULD BE JUST FINE LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.

YET THEY HAVEN'T MOVED MY RESOLUTION ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND OUR SUBPOENAS FOR HUNTER BIDEN HAVE ALL BEEN DENIED.

HUNTER BIDEN DOESN'T GET A PASS BECAUSE HIS DAD WAS VINE.

I AM PROUD TO HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST THIS CHARADE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND I WOULD PROUDLY VOTE NO TODAY AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MISS ONE CANE.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER THE FACTS ARE UNCONTESTING THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING.

THE PRESIDENT GROSSLY MISUSED THE OFFICE OF PRIDE AND OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS AND JUSTICE REQUIRES THEM PEACHMENT.

I FEEL COMPELLED TO RESPOND TO THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE USING THIS PROCESS TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION.

I AGREE.

ELECTIONS ARE THE APPROPRIATE VENUE FOR PUBLIC PAULIE DISPUTES.

HOWEVER WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A PUBLIC POLICY DISPUTE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PRESIDENT WHO SUBVERTED NATIONAL SECURITY BY SOLICITING INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

THE EXACT THING OUR FOUNDING FATHERS FEARED AND THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCE FOR WHICH THEY DRAFTED THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE.

OUR DEMOCRACY OUR CONSTITUTION DESERVES STANDING UP FOR NOT DONALD JOHN TRUMP AND I WILL LEAVE MY COLLEAGUES WITH THIS LAST THOUGHT WHEN THEY DECIDE HOW TO CAST THIS HISTORIC VOTE.

WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD ONLY TO LOSE HIS OWN SOUL.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS IS THE DAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS FEARED WHEN THEY GRANTED CONGRESS THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT WHERE WE HAVE A POLITICAL PARTY SO DEAD SET AGAINST THE PRESIDENT THAT THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO IMPEACH HIM AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO GET AWAY WITH IT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE VOTES.

THAT'S NOW HOW THIS PROCESS IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE DICTATED BY A THIN PARTISAN MAJORITY NOR IS IT MEANT TO BE USED WHEN AN ELECTION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THAT BETTER THAN OUR SPEAKER WHO I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR AND I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS SHE MADE ON MARCH 6 OF JUST THIS YEAR.

IMPEACHMENT IS SO DIVISIVE TO THE COUNTRY THAT UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING SO COMPELLING AND OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO DOWN THAT PATH BECAUSE IT DIVIDES THE NATION AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENED.

WHEN WE WALKED OUT OF HERE TONIGHT WE KNOW HOW THIS RESULT IS GOING TO GO.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE VOTING FOR THIS NOT ONE REPUBLICAN IS BREAKING THIS IS NOT BIPARTISAN.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTED WITH THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND WE BRING SHAME UPON THIS BODY TODAY BY MOVING FORWARD TODAY WITH THIS IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I KWR YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

THE FACTS IN THIS CASE ARE AS SIMPLE AS THEY ARE TRAGIC.

WITNESS AFTER WITNESS ATTESTED TO THESE FACTS.

NO ONE HAS CREDIBLY REFUTED THEM.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TRIED TO COERCE UKRAINE TO INTERFERE IN THE 202020 ELECTIONS.

HE USED THE POWER OF HIS FOFS FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL GAIN BY WITHHOLDING AID TO UKRAINE THE PRESIDENT HAS ENDANGRD OUR ALLY UKRAINE AND UNDERMINED OUR OWN NATIONAL SECURITY.

WHEN HE GOT CAUGHT, THE PRESIDENT ATTEMPTED TO COVER UP THE CRIME AND SHUT DOWN ANY INVESTIGATION BY OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS.

WE HAVE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT THIS PRESIDENT POSES AN URGENT THREAT TO OUR ELECTIONS, TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND TO THE RULE OF LAW.

CONGRESS MUST VOTE TO IMPEACH HIM TO PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.

THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

THE ONLY URGENT THREAT TO THIS BODY IS THE CLOCK AND CALENDAR AND TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT BEFORE WE GO HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.

I NOW RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM TENNESSEE.

>> THIS IS A SAD DAY IN THE HOUSE.

SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ELECTED IN 2016 THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN ON A CRUSADE TO STOP HIM.

THE FAIR I WAS PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY IF YOU THE LAW NO MATTER WHAT STATION YOU OCCUPY IN LIFE WHICH FOR A FACTORY WORKER IS FAIR.

THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT FAIR.

FOR TWO YEARS WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THEN CANDIDATE DROPPED CLEUPPECOLLUDED WITH RUSSIANS TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

TWO YEARS ROBERT MUELLER SPENT, NO COLLUSION.

AFTER BEING THAT WRONG DEMOCRATS WOULD FINALLY WORK ON THE PROBLEMS AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT US HERE TO DO, YOU WOULD BE WRONG AGAIN.

THEN WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD MONEY TO THE UKRAINIANS IN A QUID PRO QUO, NO, BRIBERY, NO ABUSE OF POWER, WHATEVER POLLS BEST TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT A POTENTIAL RIVAL.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED.

FACT NUMBER ONE THE PHONE CALL OF JULY 25 SHOWS NO PRESSURE.

FACT NUMBER TWO, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DID NOT KNOW THE MONEY WAS WITHHELD.

FACT NUMBER THREE, NO INVESTIGATION OCCURRED OR WAS AANNOUNCED.

FACT NUMBER IMPORTANT THE MONEY WAS RELEASED SEPTEMBER 19.

MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE SAID I'M CONCERNED IF WE DON'T IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT HE WILL GET RE-ELECTED.

END QUOTE.

THAT MADAM SPEAKER SAYS IT ALL.

I YIELD BACK.

>> JACK YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM OREGON.

>> GIME IS RECOGNIZED FOR -- GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I TOOK AN OATH TO UP HOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

I DO NOT TAKE TODAY PROCEEDINGS LIKELY.

THE FOUNDING FATHERS UP HOLD OUR VALUES AND BATTLE THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO SEPARATIONS OF POWERS AND TO DEMOCRACY.

THEY KNEW WAY BACK IN 1787 THAT THE PRESIDENT COULD ABUSE THE POWER OF THE OFFICE.

IN FACT THEY ADOPTED THE PHRASE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDAWES MARINES FROM A PLAY THAT HAD BEEN USED IN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT SINCE 1836 INTENDED TO COVER SITUATIONS WHERE AN OFFICIAL ABUSED HIS POWER AND INCLUDED AND DISOBEYING AN ORDER FROM THE PARLIAMENT.

DONALD TRUMP HAS ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE BY INVITING A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE IN THE U.S.

ELECTIONS AND HE DID THIS NOT TO HELP THE UNITED STATES BUT TO BENEFIT HIMSELF.

THAT'S WRONG AND IT'S AN IMPEACHMENTABLE OFFENSE.

WHEN CONGRESS EXERCISED OUR CONGRESSIONAL DUTIES TO INVESTIGATE THESE WRONG DOINGS HE OBSTRUCTED THE INVESTIGATION EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THAT IS ALSO WRONG AND IT'S ALSO AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

IN OUR COUNTRY NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, THAT INCLUDES THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> I YIELD A MINUTE AND-A-HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> DECEMBER IS A GREAT MONTH AND WE TALK ABOUT WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER'S OF THE PAST.

IN ADDITION TO CHRISTMAS BEING SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE THE BOSTON TEA PARTY TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER BUT ALSO IN DECEMBER 1941 A HORRIFIC ACT HAPPENED IN THE UNITED STATES AND ONE THAT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SAID THIS IS A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN EVEN FA ME.

TODAY DECEMBER 18, 2019 IS ANOTHER DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN EMFA ME.

JUST BECAUSE YOU HATE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND YOU CAN FIND NO OTHER THAN THE FACT YOU'RE BLINDED BY YOUR HATE YOU CAN'T SEE STRAIGHT YOU'VE DECIDED THE ONLY WAY WE CAN MAKE SURE THIS PRESIDENT DOESN'T GET ELECTED AGAIN IS TO IMPEACH HIM.

ON THE FLOOR OF THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

HOUSEWE HAVE KEY SIDED THE POLITICAL POWER IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRINCIPLE.

I WOULD URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO VOTE NO ON IMPEACHMENT AND TO LOOK THEIR VOTERS IN THE EYE AND LISTEN LET ME TELL YOU, THE VOTERS WILL REMEMBER NEXT NOVEMBER WHAT YOU'RE DOING THIS DECEMBER.

FD INFA ME THIS WILL LIVE INEN FA ME.

I YIELD BACK.

>> PLEASE MAKE YOUR REMARKS TO THE CHAIR.

>> I YIELD TO THE GENTLELADY.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> AT THE CONCLUSIONED OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WATD ASKED DO WE HAVE A RENDIC OR MONARCHY.

HE RESPONDED A REPUBLIC IF YOU KEEP IT.

MADAM SPEAKER REPUBLIC IS A FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH THE COUNTRY IS CONSIDERED A PUBLIC MATTER NOT THE PRIVATE CONDITIONER OR PROPERTY OF THE RULINGS.

IN A REPUBLIC, NO PERSON IS ABOVE THE LAW.

IN A REPUBLIC THE PRESIDENT CANNOT WITHHOLD FOREIGN AID FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL GAIN MORE MAY HE STOP WITNESSES FROM TALKING.

I DID NOT COME TO CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT BUT I CAN TAKE AN TOYOTA TO KEEP THE REPUBLIC FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRAND CHILDREN, WE SHOULD DO NOTHING LESS.

ONE DAY I WILL TELL MY TBRANLD SON THAT I STOOD UP FOR -- GRANDSON THAT I STOOD UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.

I VOTE YES TO PEACH THE PRESIDENT AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> I YIELD A MINUTE 40 SECONDS TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM WIS CON.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE 40 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS WHY WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT HERE BECAUSE OF A MISQUOTED PHONE COBBLE OF JULY 2019.

"THE WASHINGTON POST" RAN AN ARTICLE HEAD LINED THE CAMPAIGN TO IMPEACHMENT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEGUN THE DAY HE WAS SWORN IN.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND WHO SPOKE EARLIER TODAY CALLED FOR IMPEACHMENT TWO DAYS BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP SWORN IN.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS WAS INTRODUCING IMPEACHMENT RHESUS LOSES TWO YEARS AGO AND SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULD BE IMPEACHED SO HE COULDN'T GET RE-ELECTED.

THIS IMPEACHMENT IS NOT ABOUT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED ON A PHONE CALL, THIS IMPEACHMENT IS ABOUT WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE.

THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE APPREHENDED AND DON'T HAVE LEGAL AUTHORITY FELL FROM 100,000 PEOPLE IN MAY TO UNDER 5,000 PEOPLE IN NOVEMBER AND YOU HATE HIM FOR IT.

BEN CARSON THINKS LOW INCOME HOUSING SHOULD BE USED BY AMERICAN CITIZENS AND NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE IMLEGALLY AND YOU HATE HIM FOR IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE COMING HERE AND GOING ON WELFARE AND YOU HATE HIM FOR IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS ABLED BODIED ON FOOD STAMPS TO TRY TO WORK AND HE'S HATED FOR IT.

HE NEGOTIATED THAT RIP-OFF TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO AND CANADA THAT WAS LAID IN PLACE BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT OBAMA AND YOU HATE HIM FOR IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIDES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTEAD OF CRIMINALS AND MURDERS DROPPED A THOUSAND PEOPLE LAST YEAR AND YOU HATE HIM FOR SIDING WITH THE POLICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP LET'S CHRISTIAN ADOPTION INDUSTRY CHOOSE WHO WANT TO BE PARENTS AND YOU DON'T LIKE HIM FOR THAT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WON'T ALLOW MONEY TO GO TO AGENCIES WHO PERFORM ABORTIONS.

HE'S DISLIKED FOR THAT.

HE'S KEEPING HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES AND YOU HATE HIM FOR THAT.

I YIELD THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME.

>> MEMBERS WILL ONCE AGAIN REMINDED TO KEEP THEIR REMARKS TO THE CHAIR.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER WE DO NOT HATE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL CONTINUE TO THREATEN THE NATION'S SECURITY, DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM IF HE IS ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE.

THAT THREAT IS NOT HYPOTHETICAL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS PERSISTED DURING THIS IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY IN SOLICITING FOREIGN POWERS TO VEX HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

THE PRESIDENT SPREAD FASTLY INSISTS HE DID NOTHING WRONG AND IS FREE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN.

THAT THREATENS OUR NEXT ELECTION AS WELL AS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE BY THE CONSTITUTION WITH THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT, TO BALANCE THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY.

WITHOUT THIS ESSENTIAL DUTY, THE PRESIDENT COULD EXPLOIT HIS SACRED OFFICE WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR THE LAW.

ON JANUARY 3RD, 2019, EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE SWORE AN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THIS WEEK WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO JUST THAT.

WHEN ALLEGATIONS AROSE THAT THE PRESIDENT TRIED TO COERCE A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO HELP UNDERMINED THE 2020 ELECTION, THE HOUSE CARRIED OUT ITS DUTY TO INVESTIGATE A POTENTIAL ABUSE OF POWER.

BUT THE PRESIDENT REFUSED TO COOPERATE AND FORBADE HIS ADMINISTRATRIX TO DOING SO OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS FROM CARRYING OUT OUR SWORN RESPONSIBILITY.

THESE ACTIONS THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCE.

FUTURE PRESIDENTS MAY ACT WITHOUT THE STRENGTH AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WILL BE AT AN END.

THEREFORE COMPELLED BY MY SWORN DUTY TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD TO MY FRIEND FROM FLOOR A MINUTE AND-A-HALF.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTEAND-A-HALF.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE I AISLE AND RIFT RATE PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S -- REITERATE PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S WARNING TO THE REPUBLIC 223 YEARS AGO.

THE CONSTITUTION RIGHTLY SETS A HIGH BAR FOR IMPEACHMENT BUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS ALSO DEPENDS ON THE ABILITY OF THE LEGISLATORS TO VOTE THEIR MINDS INDEPENDENT OF PARTY POLITICS.

REMOVING A PRESIDENT IS TOO IMPORTANT AND LAWMAKERS ARE GIVEN TOO MUCH LATITUDE TO DEFINE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS FOR IT TO BE ANY OTHER WAY.

OTHERWISE PARTISAN POLITICIANS COULD OVERTURN AN ELECTION SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT IS A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE AND OPPOSING PARTY.

IT IS IN REGARDS TO THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS PRESIDENT WASHINGTON FOREWARNED US OF THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY.

WHEN POLITICAL PARTIES MAY NOW AND THEN ENTER POPULAR NLDZ THEY BECOME POETENT ENGINES WHICH CONNING, AMBITIOUS AND UNPRINCIPLED MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE NEIGHBORHOOD TO SUB1RUR9 THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE TO YEW SURGE THE REINS OF GOVERNMENT.

HOW WISE HE WAS THE INSULT TO OUR REPUBLIC THE CONSTITUTION AND TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM ERIC, JOHN ADAMS WARNED IN A LETTER TO THOMAS JEFFERSON THAT THESE RISKS ARE UNAVOIDABLE AND MIGHT TIMES OVERLAP.

QUOTE USUAL APPREHENSIVE OF FOREIGN INTER FERENCE INTRIGUE INFLUENCE.

SO AM I.

AS OFTEN AS ELECTIONS HAPPEN THE DANGER OF FLOOR INFLUENCE RECURS, CLOSE QUOTE.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MICHIGAN.

>> GENTLELADY 'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, TODAY HISTORY IS BEING WRITTEN.

THE FACTS ARE CONCLUSIVE.

THE PRESIDENT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE POWER OF THE POWERFUL OFFICE OF PRESIDENT TO FORCE UKRAINE TO INFLUENCE OUR 2020 ELECTION.

IN THE PROCESS THE PRESIDENT HAS JEOPARDIZE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND WITHHELD VITAL MILITARY ASSISTANCE INTENDED TO PREVENT RUSSIAN AGGRESSION TO OUR REGION.

HOWEVER, AS OUR COMMITTEES INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT WHICH I SIT ON AND WHICH OUR MEMBERS SOUGHT TO INTERVIEW ADDITIONAL WITNESSES AND OBTAIN DOCUMENTS THE PRESIDENT ORDERED FROM THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO NOT PARTICIPATE AND OBSTRUCT THE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.

ARTICLE ONE PROVIDES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AS WELL AS THE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT YOUR SIDE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WHAT DID HE HAVE TO HIDE.

WHEN THE FRAMERS MET OVER 200 YEARS AGO THEY WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ENSURE FUTURE PRESIDENTS WOULD BE FORCED TO ANSWER TO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

I STAND TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> MOCK HADAL SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

TODAY IS A SAD DAY FOR THIS BODY FOR THE VOTERS WHO SENT ME HERE LAST NOVEMBER AND OUR NATION.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CAUTIONED WHEN ASKED WHAT HE HAD GIVEN US A REPUBLIC IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.

TODAY WE TAKE A STEP FURTHER TOWARD LOSING THE RENDIC THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS ENVISION BY ENGAGING IN ACTIVITY THEY SPECIFICALLY WARNED AGAINST THE MISUSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWER ON IMPEACHMENT FOR ONE PARTY'S POLITICAL GAIN.

OUR CONSTITUTION IS THE VERY FOUNDATION OF THE RENDIC THAT THE ASSURANCE OF SELF DETERMINATION IS THE SHINING BEACON WHICH OUR NATION HAS CHARTERED ITS COURSE FROM A NEW DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE TO THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH AMERICA HAS BEEN POWERED OVER THE YEARS NOT BY GOVERNMENT BUT BY THE AGE NEWITY AND BRAVERY AND FAITH OF THE PEOPLE.

CONFIDENT AS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

SO IT IS WE THE PEOPLE WHO DETERMINE OUR PRESIDENT NOT WE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE NOR WE THE CONGRESS.

THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR IT'S ONLY WHEN WE SEE IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES IN ARTICLE TWO SECTION FOUR TREASON BRIBERY OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS WE ARE TO CHALLENGE THE DECISION OF THE VOTERS BREAK THE FIGURATIVE GLASS AND PULL THE EMERGENCY RIPCORD THAT IS IMPEACHMENT.

WE DO NOT HAVE THAT PROOF TODAY.

THOMAS JEFFERSON I KNOW OF MY ULTIMATE POWER OF SOCIETY BUT THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

IF WE THINK THEY ARE NOT ENLIGHTENED ENOUGH TO EXERCISE THEIR CONTROL THE REMEDY IS NOT TO TAKE IT FROM THEM BUT TO INFORM THEIR DISCRETION BY EDUCATION BUT RATHER THAN EDUCATE THIS MAJORITY HAS CHOSEN TODAY TO OBFUSCATE WITH HEARSAY, INNUENDO AND SPECULATION.

WHEN HISTORY LOOKS BACK ON THIS SHAMEFUL PERIOD IT WILL JUDGE IT FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS THE UGLY HIJACKING BY THE MAJOR THEY OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE POWERS ENTRUSTED TO US TO ENGAGE IN A BLATANTLY POLITICAL PROCESS TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY COULD NOT ACHIEVE AT THE BALLOT BOX THE REMOVAL OF A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

COMPELLED BY MY SWORN DUTY TO UPHOLD THIS CONSTITUTION AND FOR THE PEOPLE, I VOTE NO ON IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER AS WE TAKE THIS SALAL NECESSARY STEP OF IMPEACHING PRESIDENT TRUMP MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE MADE UP THERE MINDS.

WE CAN'T PERSUADE THEM TO DO THE RIGHT THING SO I'LADDRESS MY REMARKS TO THE FUTURE.

TODAY'S VOTE WILL BE JUDGED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS INCLUDING MY PRECIOUS CHILDREN ABBEY AND NATHAN, MAYBE GRANDKIDS.

HISTORIAN WILL STUDY WHAT MEMBERS OF THIS CONGRESS DID WHEN OUR DEMOCRACY WAS TESTED LIKE NEVER BEFORE BY A PRESIDENT WHO PUT PERSONAL INTEREST ABOVE COUNTRY WHO COMPROMISED NATIONAL SECURITY TO CHEAT HIS WAY TO RE-ELECTION AND WHEN CAUGHT NOT ONLY LIED AND REFUSED TO ADMIT WRONGDOING BUT F FLOUTED CONGRE' AUTHORITY HE CALLED THE CONSTITUTIONAL IMPEACHMENT MECHANISM UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

HISTORIANS WILL MARVEL HOW SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CONTINUE TO STAND BY THIS MAN PUT BLIND PARTISAN LOYALTY OR FEAR OF DONALD TRUMP ABOVE THEIR DUTY TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

HOW THEY MADE ABSURD PARTISAN ARGUMENTS AND TRIED TO OBSTRUCT THESE PROCEEDINGS AND HOW INSTEAD OF PUSHING BAG WHEN THEIR PARTY FELL UNDER THE DARK SPELL OF AUTHORITARIANISM THEY EMBRACED IT AS IF THE CONSTITUTION, THE RULE OF LAW AND OUR OATH OF OFFICE MEAN NOTHING.

FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS OUR CHILDREN AND JUDGMENT OF HISTORY LET ME BE CLEAR I STAND WITH OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW AND OUR DEMOCRACY I WILL BE VOTING YES TO IMPEACHMENT DONAL.

TRUMP.

>> TODAY'S VOTE TO IMPEACHMENT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRULY HISTORICAL.

THE UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY IS NOT FOR THE REASONS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THEIR MAINSTREAM MEDIA OVERLORDS ARE SO DESPERATELY TRYING TO CONVEY.

TODAY WE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS THE DIFFICULT THAT THE DEMOCRATS CLAIMING A FALSE MORAL SUPREMACY OVER THE DESIRE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EXECUTED A DELIBERATE AND ORCHESTRATED PLAN TO OVERTURN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THAT A PARTY PARADED OUT THEIR IVY LEAGUE ACT DIGITS IN 31 STATES AND ALMOST 63 MILLION PEOPLE THAT THEIR VOICE SHOULD NOT BE HEARD AND WHY THEIR VOTES SHOULD BE COUNTED.

I PRAY FOR OUR NATION EVERY DAY BUT TODAY I'M PRAYING FOR MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE WHO AWE INDIVIDUAL AT THIS PARTISAN AND SELF DIRECTED FORK IN THE ROAD AND CHOSE THE ROAD NEVER BEFORE TRAVELED AND ONE THAT HAS A DEAD END.

DONALD J. TRUMP IS OUR PRESIDENT CHOSEN BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FAIR AND SQUARE AS WE SAY IN TEXAS IT'S A DONE DEAL.

DEMOCRATS ATTEMPT TO CHANGE HISTORY WILL NEVER UNDO THAT.

GOD BLESS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I YIELD BACK MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I WILL REMIND THE GENTLEMAN THAT THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE IS PLACED IN THE CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST A PRESIDENT WHO WOULD SUBVERT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES IN BETWEEN ELECTIONS.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GISHED GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. GREEN.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I RAISE MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE BECAUSE I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND MADAM SPEAKER SHALL ANY MAN BE BEYOND JUSTICE.

THIS IS THE QUESTION POSED IN 1787 BY GEORGE MASON AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

SHALL ANY MAN BE BEYOND JUSTICE.

MADAM SPEAKER IF THIS PRESIDENT IS ALLOWED TO THWART THE EFFORTS OF CONGRESS WITH A LEGITIMATE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, THE PRESIDENT WILL NOT ONLY BE ABOVE THE LAW HE WILL BE BEYOND JUSTICE.

WE CANNOT ALLOW ANY PERSON TO BE BEYOND JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY ON BEHALF OF THE REPUBLIC AND FOR THE SAKE OF THE MANY WHO ARE SUFFERING, I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH AND I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO SO AS WELL.

NO ONE IS BEYOND JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MAD U78G9 SPEAKER I REMIND MY CHAIRMAN THE IMPEACHMENT WAS NOT USED TO DEFEAT A SITTING PRESIDENT WHO YOU THINK WILL BE RE-ELECTED.

WITH THAT I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLOOR.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER I WILL VOTE TODAY AGAINST BOTH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE WE ARE WITHOUT MERIT AND SETTING A DING RUSS PRECEDENT -- DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

THIS VENDETTA AND ABUSE OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AND WOULD SUBVERT THE VOTES OF 63 MILLION AMERICANS.

JUST BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT'S OPPONENTS ARE AFRAID HE'LL WIN RE-ELECTION IS NO EXCUSE FOR WEAPONNIZING IMPEACHMENT.

NO PRESIDENT IN HISTORY HAS EVER BEEN IMPEACHED TEN MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION.

ELECTIONS ARE THE HEART OF FOUNS TO REMOVE A PRESIDENT IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THEM.

IT'S CALLED AN ELECTION.

WE HAVE ONE COMING UP IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

LET'S LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE THIS NEXT NOVEMBER I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER ARE, I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I RISE IN SUPPORT OF IMPEACHMENT: I LEARNED SO MUCH EVERY SINGLE DID I FROM MY RESIDENCE AT HOME.

THEY ARE COMMON SENSE ENUNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS CENTERED ON WHY THEY OPPOSE ANY PERSON USING THE MOST POWERFUL POSITION IN THE WORLD FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

WE HONOR OUR VETERANS IN THIS CHAMBER ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS.

BUT DO WE EVER FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.

WHERE WE SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND UPHOLD THE NSTITUTION NOT AS REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS BUT AS AMERICANS.

WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THEIR SENSE OF DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY THE COUNTRY AND DEMOCRACY NOT POLITICAL PARTY.

DOING NOTHING HERE, MADAM SPEAKER NOT AN OPTION.

LOOKING AWAY FROM THESE CRIMES AGAINST OUR COUNTRY IS NOT AN OPTION.

THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION AND OUR DEMOCRACY FROM CORRUPTION, ABUSE OF POWER, CRIMINAL COVER UP AND BRIBERY.

IN THIS, MADAM SPEAKER, THIS VOTE IS ALSO FOR MY SON AND THE FUTURE.

OF SO MANY GENERATIONS SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PLEASE VOTE YES ON THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

WITH THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND HALF.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY ON THIS DARK DAY IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE SHAMEFUL IMPEACHMENT PROCESS THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE DO NOT LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE THEY PROUDLY BOASTED ABOUT THEIR INTENTION TO IMPEACH OUR PRESIDENT BEFORE HE WAS EVEN SWORN INTO OFFICE.

OUT OF DISDAIN FOR THE PRESIDENT AND FOR KNOWS OF US WHO ELECTED HIM, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS CONSIDERING TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT ARE SO VERY WEAK THAT THEY EVEN FAIL TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC CRIMES.

THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA KNOW THE TRUTH.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUTH.

THIS IMPEACHMENT CIRCUS HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT THE FACTS.

THIS PROCESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT SEEKING REVENGE FOR THE PRESIDENT'S ELECTION IN 20126 AND ATTEMPTING TO PREVENT HIM FROM WINNING AGAIN IN 2020.

MADAM SPEAKER, I WHOLEHEARTEDDED LEO POSE THIS PARTISAN AND SHAMEFUL EFFORT TO IMPEACH OUR DEMOCRATICALLY AND DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR NATION.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN WITH ME AND VOTE NO ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THANK YOU.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> WE DO NOT HEAR THAT WE CANNOT HEAR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ARTICULATE A REAL DEFENSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION.

I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

>> ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE TAKE A STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION AND ABUSES OF POWER.

WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY IS NOT ONLY PATRIOTIC, IT IS UNIQUELY AMERICAN.

AMERICA IS A STORY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE FRONTING ABUSES OF POWER WITH STEADFAST PURSUIT OF JUSTICE.

THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY THE OPPRESSED HAVE BEEN RELEGATED TO THE MARGINS BY THE POWERFUL AND EACH TIME WE HAVE FOUGHT BACK.

DELIBERATE IN OUR APPROACH, CLEAR EYE.

EACH GENERATION HAS FOUGHT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY THAT IS WHAT BRINGS US TO THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY.

EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IN THE PURSUIT OF OUR TRUTH.

CONGRESS HAS DONE ITS DUE DILIGENCE.

TODAY WE SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE, WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSES OF POWER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION RESTS IN OUR HANDS.

IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART BUT RESOLVED ONE AND BECAUSE I BELIEVE OUR DEMOCRACY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH DONALD J. TRUMP I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AGAIN, IN MY CHAIRMAN HEARS HE DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE.

WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING BUT PROCESS THAT WAS COMPLETELY AMUCK YOU TALK A BOUT -- I'VE ALREADY DEBUNKED, DO IT ONE MORE TIME.

NO PRESSURE, IN FACT REALLY JUST HORRIFIES CONTINUATION TO SAY THAT MR. SAM HAS SAID THERE IS NO PRESSURE.

MAJORITY DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING HIM A LIAR, WEAKENING HIS OWN COUNTRY.

NO CONDITIONALITY IN THE TRANSCRIPT AFTER THAT, FIVE MEETINGS, PROVE THAT ALL HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS, TWO OF THOSE MEETINGS WERE OF A II THE UKRAINIANS KNEW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF AID BEING HELD.

THEY NEVER ADDRESSED BEFORE TRUTH.

ALSO AFTER THERE WAS NOTHING DONE TO GET THE MONEY, GUESS WHAT, THEY GOT THE MONEY.

THAT IS THE FACT.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.

LET'S CONTINUE OUT SHAM WAS PERPETRATED.

THAT'S WHAT MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE TALKING ABOUT, I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.

NEED TO BE LOOKED IN THE EYE BY OUGHT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, TODAY IS CULMINATION OF THE DEMOCRATS THREE-YEAR LONG QUEST TO DELEGITIMIZE THE PRESIDENT.

THIS HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE NOVEMBER 2016.

AND WAS ALL BUT PROMISED WHEN DEMOCRATS TOOK THE MAJORITY.

THIS SHAM PROCESS BEGIN WITHOUT A FORMAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE AND WAS CONTINUED OVER THESE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS WILLFULLY TRAMPLE KNOWLEDGE ON DECADES OF BIPARTISAN PRECEDENT.

NO DUE PROCESS, CLOSED DOOR DEPOSITIONS, NOTHING IN THIS INVESTIGATION WAS CLASSIFIED.

AND LEAKING ONLY DETAILS THAT FITS THEIR NARRATIVE.

IF THIS ISN'T PARTISAN POLITICS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

HOLDING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE IS A JOB I TAKE EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY.

BUT THE IMPEACHMENT VOTES TODAY REPRESENT THE WORST OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

YET ANOTHER REASON MY CONSTITUENTS ARE SO DISILLUSIONED WITH THE PROCESS AND DISAPPOINTED BY THE CONGRESS.

MICHIGAN'S FIRST DISTRICT SENT ME TO WASHINGTON TO GET THINGS DONE, TO GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF THEIR BACK AND TO HELP RURAL MICHIGAN ANDERS AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD EARNED CURRENCY NOT TO IMPEACH OUR DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

WITH THAT, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE AGAINST ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, IT IS WITH A SOLEMN SENSE OF DUTY THAT I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF IMPEACHMENT.

AS THIS CHAMBER DEBATES TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS I WANT HISTORY TO KNOW THAT I STOOD UP TO SAY, THAT I STAND FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR DIM MAC:SEE.

WHEN MY IMMIGRANT MOM BECAME A UNITED STATES CITIZEN SHE TOOK AN EARTH AND ALLEGIANCE TO OUR COUNTRY.

WHEN I STOOD ON THIS FLOOR AS NEW MEMBER OF CONGRESS, I TOOK AN EARTH TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION.

THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER WHEN HE USED HIS OFFICIAL OFFICE AND POWER TO ASK A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

WHEN HE ASKED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT FOR A PERSONAL FAVOR TO DIG UP DIRT ON HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT SO HE COULD CHEAT THE PRESIDENT GOT CAUGHT.

THEN HE TRIED TO COVER IT UP.

TODAY WE SAY NO MORE.

TODAY WE SAY WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS PRESIDENT TO ABUSE HIS POWER AND ENDANGER OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

I STAND TO SAY, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

NOT EVEN THIS PRESIDENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD A MINUTE AND HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM.

>> SINCE BEFORE INAUGURATION, PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THIS CONGRESS HAVE BEEN MORE I AM FEEL.

MEMBERS REFUSE TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION.

THEY VOTE FOR I AM IMPEACHMENT.

WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE THEY VOTED FOR IMPEACHMENT CREATING AND MANUFACTURING EVIDENCE.

RECALL AND VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN OR CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON.

OUR SYSTEM DEMANDS EVIDENCE OF HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

IF IT EX IED THERE WOULD BE AN AGREEMENT BUT THERE'S NOT.

THERE IS NOT AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT EVIDENCE.

MADISON AND HAMILTON WARNED US THIS MIGHT HAPPEN THAT IMPEACHMENT WOULD VEER TOWARD POLITICAL FACTION THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS S. THIS IS BITTERLY AND NAKEDLY PARTISAN.

MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AIS HAVE MADE A MOCKERY OF THIS PROCESS AND THIS GOVERNMENT.

THEY DESPISE THE PRESIDENT ARE THEMSELVES ABUSING THE POWER OF THIS OFFICE.

ALL TO SETTLE THE POLITICAL SCORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE AT THE BALLOT BOX.

MADAM SPEAKER, THEY HOPE THAT IF THEY REPEAT THEM OVER AND OVER AND STAY ON MESSAGE YOU WILL BELIEVE THEIR CHARGES.

REPEATING THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE DOES NOT MAKE THEM TRUE.

THE CALL RECORD BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS IS CLEAR.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS INTERESTED IN GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

HE ASKED UKRAINIAN TO WORK WITH OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE UKRAINIANS WERE ALREADY GETTING MILITARY HARD WARD AND GOT THE MEETING THEY DESIRED.

THESE ARE NOT CRIMES.

THESE ARE DISAGREEMENTS OVER FOREIGN POLICY AND FACT THAT THIS PRESIDENT IS CONDUCTING IT.

IF IT WEREN'T SO SAD IT WOULD BE LAUGHABLE.

MY COLLEAGUES ARE NOT DRIVEN BY QUEST FOR FACTS OR TRUTH THEY ARE DRIVEN BY THEIR PART MUSS AND TIMETABLE.

THESE ARE THE RECKLESS IRRESPONSIBLE ACTS OF ELITISTS IN THE SWAMP AND THEY UNDERLINE THE FABRIC OF OUR REPUBLIC.

I URGE A NO VOTE AND I YIELD.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD REMIND THE GENTLEMAN THAT THERE IS IN FACT EXTENSIVE DIRECT EVIDENCE INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S OWN WORDS AND ACTIONS WHICH IS CORROBORATED AND SUPPORTED BY INDIRECT AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

RECORD LEADS FOLLOWING KEY FACT INDISPUTABLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PERSONAL LAWYER, RUDY GUILIANI, PUSHED UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND DEBUNK CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT THE 2016 ELECTION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DIRECTED U.S. OFFICIALS AND P HIMSELF TO WORK WITH MR. GUILIANI TO FULFILL HIS DEMAND.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD CRITICAL MILITARY AID FOR UKRAINE.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STONEWALLED CONGRESS TO COVER UP HIS MISCONDUCT.

I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN VOTE.

THIS IS A VOTE ABOUT AMERICA.

A VOTE ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY AND OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION WE ALSO TOOK AN OATH TO PROTECT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID WAS WRONG.

WE ALL KNOW IT'S WRONG TO WITHHOLD FOREIGN AID AS A POLITICAL -- FOR A POLITICAL FAVOR.

WE KNOW IT'S WRONG TO IGNORE CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS.

AND WE KNOW IT'S WRONG TO DEFAULT SILLY PARTISAN PROCESS ARGUMENTS RATHER THAN TO RISE AND DEFEND THIS BEAUTIFUL BUT ALL TOO FRAGILE DEMOCRACY.

WHEN THOSE IN ELECTED POWER ABUSE THEIR POSITION FOR PERSONAL ADVANTAGE, IT'S ON US TO SOMBERLY UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT FOUNDERS BESTOWED ON US.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PARTISANSHIP I'D REMIND YOU OF THE GREAT WORDS OF LINCOLN, PARAPHRASING HIM SLIGHTLY WHEN ONE PARTY TO INFLAME THAN LET THE NATION, I'M PROUD TO BE THE PORT THAT WOULD ACCEPT THE PARTISANSHIP RATHER THAN LET THE NATION PARISH.

THE ANSWER IS CLEAR NOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO IMPEACH BUT BECAUSE WE MUST.

WHEN YOU VOTE IN FEW HOURS DON'T VOTE YOUR PARTY.

VOTE YOUR CHARACTER.

THAT IS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE JUDGED THAT'S HOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE JUDGED.

GENTLEMAN GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> I ASK FOR A TIME CHECK FOR BOTH.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS AN HOUR AND 44.5 MINUTES.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK HAS AN HOUR AND 47.5 MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I YIELD MINUTE AND HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

MADAM SPEAKER I RIDE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS PROCESS DID NOT BEGIN WITH WHISTLEBLOWER REPORT.

IN FACT.

IMPEACHMENT EFFORTS BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT WAS EYE COMPLECTED.

THE THEATRICS, POLITICAL POSTURING HAVE INSURED THAT THIS BODY IS NOT ACTUALLY PURSUING TO PURSUE CHECKS AND BALANCES RATHER THIS PROCESS ECHOES CALLS BY SOME THAT REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE 2016 ELECTION RESULTS.

THE ARTICLES RECEIVING A VOTE JUSTIFY REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE.

THE FIRST ARTICLE SUGGESTS THAT THE PRESIDENT PRESSURED FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN UPCOMING ELECTION.

UKRAINE RECEIVED, WITHOUT A PREARRANGED AGREEMENT.

THAT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED.

SECOND ARTICLE IS PREMISED OP OBSTRUCTION OCCURRED WHEN WHITE HOUSE IGNORED SUBPOENAS ISSUED BY THE HOUSE.

OUR FEDERAL COURTS ARE THE ULTIMATE ARBITORS OF THESE DECISIONS.

IN FACT PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT VOTE HAVE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES AND AIMED EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

MR. SPEAKER -- MADAM SPEAKER, THE ARTICLES THAT ARE BEFORE THIS HOUSE ARE UNSUBSTANTIATED.

I IN TONIGHT VOTE NO ON THESE ARTICLES AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TDO THE SAME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, TODAY I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP FOR ABUSE OF POWER.

THOSE STILL DEFENDING THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION ARE DESPERATELY GAPING AT STRAWS WHILE LIVING IN ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE WHERE FACTS DON'T EXIST.

TO THOSE STILL UNWILLING TO SEARCH THEIR SOULS ASK YOURSELF, WOULD YOU SUPPORT A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PRESSURE A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, TO INVESTIGATE REPUBLICAN POLITICAL OPPONENT BASED ON FALSE RUSSIAN CONSPIRACY THEORIES?

OF COURSE NOT.

THAT IS ABSURD.

ANY PRESIDENT DOES THAT HAVE ABUSED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY FOR PERSONAL GAIN AND UNDERMINE OUR MOST SACRED TRADITION, OUR ELECTIONS.

IN A FEW HOURS, EVERY MEMBER WILL MAKE A CHOICE.

WILL YOU FALL INTO THE AGE OLD POLITICAL TRAP OF THINKING BLIND PARTISANSHIP IS ALL THAT MATT MATTERS.

WILL YOU VOTE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR DEMOCRACY SO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND EVERY FUTURE PRESIDENT WILL KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

AND WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

I HAVE MADE MY CHOICE.

I HOPE EVERY MEMBER PITS THE DEFENSE OF OUR NATION FIRST AND JOINS ME.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I NEED TO YIELD MINUTE AND HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEBRASKA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I RISE TODAY TO SPEAK OUT AINST THIS ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I AM IMPEACHMENT IS IMPORTANTLY ESTABLISHED IN OUR CONSTITUTION, IMPEACHMENT OF A PRESIDENT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TWICE IN OUR COUNTRY 243 YEAR HISTORY.

YET TODAY FOR HIGHLY POLITICAL PURPOSES, THE HOUSEAJORITY IS TRYING TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE BASED ON SECOND HAND INDIRECT ACCOUNTS.

THE ARTIES OF IMPEACHMENT WE ARE VOTING ON TODAY OFFER NO EVIDENCE OF A CRIME BUT INSTEAD ARE PURPOSELY BROAD TO FIT THE MAJORITY'S NARRATIVE.

LESS THAN ONE YEAR UNTIL THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO OVERRIDE THE CHOICE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THIS LOB SIDED AND HYPER PARTISAN BIASED I AM IMPEACHMENT PROCESS HAS BEEN PREDETERMINED AS AN OUTCOME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE DAY IN THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT COU COUNTRY.

WE MUST HOPE POLITICAL GAIN DOES NOT SET PRECEDENT FOR WHICH TO FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE.

SURELY THERE WILL BE DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN A PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

INSTEAD OF UNNECESSARILY DIVIDING OUR COUNTRY AS WE ARE SEEING TODAY, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO BRING OUR COUNTRY TOGETHER.

THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS ARE BOTH IMPEACHABLE AND CRIMINAL ALTHOUGH THE VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL STATUTE IS NEITHER NECESSARY FOR SUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY IMPEACHMENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CONDUCT VILE LAID ANTI-BRIBERY STATUTE VERY CLEARLY.

MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS ROYED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I THANK THE CHAIR.

TODAY I VOTE TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP.

I DON'T HAVE HATE THE PRESIDENT.

BUT I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.

VOTED FOR THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IS THE ONLY MORAL COURSE OF ACTION.

THE ONLY WAY TO HONOR OUR OATH OF OFFICE.

I'VE NO DOUBT THAT THE VOTES I CAST TODAY WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

THIS HAS NOTHINGDO TO DO WITH THE 12016 ELECTION.

I'M SO DISAPPOINTED REPUBLICAN FRIENDS APPROVE THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSES OF POWER SOLICITATION OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTION.

THAT IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF THE WILL.

SUSPENSION.

THEY KNOW IN THEIR HEARTS WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE IS DEEPLY WRONG.

THEY KNOW THAT THEY WOULD VOTE WITHOUT HESITATION TO IMPEACH A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT WHO HAD DONE THESE THINGS.

REMIND ALL AMERICANS, PRESIDENT DID NOT REBUT THE FACTS.

MANY FACTS WHICH HAVE LED TO THIS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

FOR SAKE OF OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR CONSTITUTION AND OUR COUNTRY, MUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I WAS JUST AMAZED WHAT THE CHAIRMAN JUST SAID IF IT WAS OBVIOUSLY VIOLATED BRIBERY STATUTE WHY ISN'T THAT AN ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.

YIELD A MINUTE AND HALF FROM MISSISSIPPI.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ARTICLE 2, SECTION 4 OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION STATES THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MAY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE FOR TREASON, BRIBERY, HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR, I AM CONFIDENT THAT NO COURT WOULD ACCEPT THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AS HAVING MET THE STANDARD SET FORTH BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS.

THE IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES RELY ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON HEARSAY AND OPINION TESTIMONY AND THEY PRESENT NO DIRECT EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING.

AS A FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY, I AM DISMAYED THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SUBMITTED ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST A SITTING PRESIDENT USING CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT FAILS TO OFFER PROOF OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

ADDITIONALLY THE CHARGES LEVIED AGAINST THE PRESIDENT AND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT LACK HISTORICAL PRECEDENT ARE MOTIVATED BY PURE POLITICAL REASONS.

IF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT BY DOING AMERICA'S VOTES FOR PRESIDENT BECAUSE A SINGLE PARTY DISAGREED WITH THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND I YIELD BACK.

>> THE I CAN'T GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE TRISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I FIND NO PLEASURE COMING ON THE FLOOR TO CONSIDER IMPEACHMENT.

I RAN FOR CONGRESS TO REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY AND TO SERVE THE COUNTRY I LOVE.

AS A COMBAT VETERAN HAVING SERVED EIGHT YEARS ON INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, I UNDERSTAND THE THREAT THAT FOREIGN ACTORS CAN PLAY IN OUR ELECTION.

EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL MUST DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY.

NO ONE SHOULD INVITE A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO INTERFERE WITH OUR MOST SACRED ACT OF VOTING.

IT WAS ABUSE OF POWER BY THE PRESIDENT TO ASK A FOREIGN NATION TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTION TO BENEFIT HIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL INTEREST AND CONDITION BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED AID ON THAT INTERFERENCE.

UNCHECKED THESE ACTIONS COULD LEAD US DOWN A PATH THAT WILL UNRAVEL THE FABRIC OF OUR NATION.

I'M SADDENED WE'RE HERE TODAY.

BUT IN THE INTEREST OF DEFENDING OUR NATION, I WILL VOTE FOR THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS TIME I YIELD MINUTE AND HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> MR. SPEAKER OUR FOUNDERS DID NOT EMBRACE RECALLS AND VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE RATHE WE DEMAND CONGRESS.

MY COLLEAGUES ARE FREE TO DISLIKE THE PRESIDENT AND WHILE THEY MAY REASONABLY VIEW INFAMOUS PHONE CALL AS SOMETHING LESS THAN PERFECT, THEY ARE NOT FREE TO IMPEACH SOMETHING LESS THAN A HIGH CRIME AND MISDEMEANOR.

IN JUST OVER TEN MONTHS THE PEOPLE ARE FREE TO DECIDE AND WE SHOULD LET THEM.

THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE UPON US, MADAM SPEAKER, THE PRESS GALLERIES ARE FULL, OUR FLOOR IS FILLED WITH MEMBERS.

WHEN WILL WE GIVE THE WORLD SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS?

MY COLLEAGUES GO ABOUT CONSTITUTION THEY FOUND UNDER MOTH BALLS.

WHERE IS RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION WHEN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE DAILY REFUSES TO DO ITS ACTUAL JOB WHILE SHREDDING FEDERALISM AND LIMITING GOVERNMENT.

TODAY IN MEXICO A YOUNG GIRL WILL BE ABUSED WHILE BEING TRAFFICKED TOWARD OUR OPEN BORDERS.

TODAY IN NEW YORK A YOUNG MOTHER WILL BE COERCED INTO ABORTION BY TAXPAYER FUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD WHILE WE ALLOW THE G,NOCIDE OF THE UNBORN.

TODAY ACROSS AMERICA, DIABETICS WILL RAVAGED BY GOVERNMENT AND INSURANCE BUREAUCRATS EMPOWERED IN THE FALSE NAME OF COVERAGE.

TODAY OUR CHILDREN INHERIT $100 MILLION OF DEBT AN HOUR BORROWED INTO FALSE NAME OF WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE.

IN THIS CONDUCT BY CONGRESS FAILING TO DO ITS JOB, THAT SHOULD BE IMPEACHED AND ONE MIGHT ASK IF AMERICA WOULD BE BETTER OFF TAKING THE FIRST 435 NAMES OUT OF THE PHONE BOOK TO REPRESENT US IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE THAN WHAT IS ON DISPLAY HERE TODAY.

TODAY IS NOT A DARK DAY.

BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW THIS, AMERICA IS GREAT.

WASHINGTON IS BROKEN.

AND WE'RE TAKING OUR COUNTRY BACK.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO DISTINGUISHED GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY WITH A HEAVY HEART.

I CAME TO CONGRESS TO SERVE THE GREAT PEOPLE OF SACRAMENTO AND TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AROUND GRANDCHILDREN INCLUDING MY GRANDKIDS ANNA AND ROBBY.

THE FACT BEFORE US ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR.

WE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM 17 PATRIOTS WHO VALUE OUR DEMOCRACY AND THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY TESTIFIED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP THREATENED TO WITHHOLD CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR DIRT ON A POLITICAL RIVAL.

AND WORSE, IT CONTINUES TO INVITE FOREIGN POWERS TO VIOLATE OUR SOVEREIGNTY EVEN TODAY.

ON ITS FACE, THESE ARE IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES THAT REPRESENT A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO OUR COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHY THE ONLY ANSWER IS TO ACT NOW.

WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER AND STOP PRESIDENT TRUMP IMMEDIATELY SO THAT HE CANNOT VIOLATE THE NEXT ELECTION.

FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COUNTRY, OUR DEMOCRACY I WILL VOTE YES TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT AND I YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN J.

FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU GO, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD A MINUTE AND HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, HOW MUCH IS THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WORTH?

WHEN AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR GOVERNMENT, THE PRIMARY TOOL THAT CONSTITUTION GIVES THEM TO MAKE A CHANGE IS THEIR VOTE.

ON NOVEMBER 8th, 2016, AMERICANS FROM EVERY PART OF THIS NATION PACKED THE POLLS TO ELECT DONALD J. TRUMP TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE COUNTRY WANTED A DISRUPTER, A FIGHTER, A DEAL MAKER, A PRESIDENT THAT WOULD PUT AMERICA FIRST.

BUT SADLY ON THAT VERY SAME DAY DEMOCRATS HAD NO PLAN OR INTEREST IN HONORING THE VOTE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THEY WERE GOING TO ATTEMPT FROM DAY ONE TO DELEGITIMIZE THIS PRESIDENT AND ULTIMATELY REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.

RIGHT AFTER THE PRESIDENT WAS SWORN IN THE "WASHINGTON POST" WROTE, THE CAMPAIGN TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEGUN.

EVEN BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE A POLITICO ARTICLE HEADLINE READ, COULD TRUMP BE IMPEACHED SHORTLY AFTER HE TAKES OFFICE?

SO, HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR THIS DAY SINCE JANUARY 2017.

ITS CLEAR THAT FACTS HAVE NEVER MATTERED TO THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

THEY NEVER PLANNED TO WORK WITH THE PRESIDENT INSTEAD THEY INTENDED ONLY TO FULFILL THEIR DEVISE I HAVE PARTISAN 'GENERAL D. AGAIN I ASK, HOW MUCH IS THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WORTH.

BECAUSE AFTER THE VOTE TODAY, WHAT YOU THINK IS A SHORT-TERM PARTISAN GAME YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL HAVE LOST THEIR TRUST IN OUR -- >> GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> LOST THEIR TRUST IN CONGRESS MOST -- >> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, IMPEACHING A PRESIDENT IS ONE OF THE MOST SOLEMN AND CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS CAN MAKE.

IT'S NOT AN ACTION THAT I OR MY FELLOW HOUSE COLLEAGUES TAKE LIGHTLY.

INVESTIGATIONS IN HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSE PROVE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED HIS POWER AND ENDANGERED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO ISSUED A BLANKET ORDER PROHIBITING ALL EXECUTIVE OFFICE PERSONNEL FROM TESTIFYING, RESPONDING TO SUBPOENAS OR TURNING OVER DOCUMENTS.

THERE FOR HE HAS OBSTRUCTED THE LEGITIMATE CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION OF OFFICE.

THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS LEAVE ME NO CHOICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE, NOW I WILL UPHOLD MY OATH OF OFFICE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION.

AND MY PROMISE TO MY CONSTITUENTS TO CAREFULLY ANALYZE ALL ISSUES BEFORE ME.

I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF BOTH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO GENTLEMAN.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY A DISAPPOINTED MAN.

I HAVE DISAPPOINTED IN A BROKEN AND PARTISAN PROCESS THAT HAS CONSUMED THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

WE WERE TOLD THIS INVESTIGATION WAS GOING TO BE BIPARTISAN AND TRANSPARENT.

INSTEAD THE PROCEEDINGS WERE HELD SECRET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH NO ATTEMPT AT A FAIR HEARING.

ALL THIS WAS DONE DELIBERATELY IN AN EFFORT TO UNDO THE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION.

MADAM SPEAKER, MY CONSTITUENTS IN FLORIDA WANT TO SEE US GET TO WORK.

THEY WANT US -- THEY'RE COUNTING ON US TO ACTUALLY SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLING TO, LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

INSTEAD WE'RE HERE A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS VOTING TO IMPEACH THE LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT, DONALD J. TRUMP.

ON THE STRENGTH OF NOTHING BUT RUMORS.

WE'VE WASTED ALMOST A YEAR ON THIS PROCESS WHILE HOUSE DEMOCRATS SERVED POLITICAL THEATER OVER SERVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THIS SHAMEFUL VOTE 20 IMPEACH OUR PRESIDENT WILL BE A LASTING STAIN ON OUR HOUSE.

I URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK THANK THE GENTLEMAN.

IT'S CLEAR CUT, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE AND BETRAYED THE CONSTITUTION AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

HE ADMITTED TO SOLICITING ASSISTANCE FROM FOREIGN LEADER TO INTERFERE IN THE U.S. ELECTION AND AID HIS POLITICAL REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THAT'S A VIOLATION OF LAW, VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BETRAYAL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE ALSO DEMONSTRATES PRESIDENT WITHOUT CONGRESSIONALLY PROVED TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO BLACKMAIL THE YOUNG NEW PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE UNDER ATTACK FROM RUSSIA.

NOW THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA SAYS, UKRAINE DIDN'T FEEL ANY PRESSURE, THEY'RE BEING INVADED BY RUSSIA.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, TRUMP'S FRIEND AND HE WITHHELD THAT AID UNTIL THE WHISTLE BLOWER REPORT CAME OUT THEN THE AID WAS RELEASED.

IT WASN'T RELEASED FOR ANY GOOD PURPOSE.

CONGRESS VOTED FOR THAT AID, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE BILL, THAT IS ANOTHER IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE AND THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAS PUT TOGETHER EXTENSIVE DOCUMENT WHICH SHOWS THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF NUMEROUS OTHER FEDERAL CRIMES INCLUDING BRIBERY AND WIRE FRAUD.

THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS CONTINUATION OF REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRACY I'M PROUDLY VOTING FOR I AM IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT MR. TRUMP WAS GIVING THEM LETHAL AID SOMETHING TO FIGHT BACK WITH, THERE WAS AGAIN FROM THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF NO PRESSURE PUT ON HIM F. YOUR WHOLE CASE COERCING SOMEBODY, NO PRESSURE FELT.

YET WE DON'T SEEM TO GET THAT PART ON THIS FLOOR TODAY.

WITH THAT I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MONTANA.

>> GENTLEMAN ISRECOGNIZED FOR MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> TODAY THIS CHAMBER IS PUSHING THROUGH THE MOST PARTISAN, BASELESS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IN OUR HISTORY.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HYPER PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT HAS BEEN A SHAM SINCE DAY ONE.

DRIVEN BY THOSE WHOSE BITTER AGE AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BLINDED THEIR BETTER JUDGMENT.

THE FACT IS THEY RESOLVED TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION THE DAY PRESIDENT TRUMP WON.

EARLIERIER THIS YEAR SPEAKER PELOSI SAID, IMPEACHMENT IS SO DIVISIVE TO THE COUNTRY THAT UNPOLICE THERE'S SOMETHING SO COMPELLING AND OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO DOWN THAT PATH.

NONE OF THOSE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MET, NONE.

THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS WERE A SCRIPTED, SUBSTANCE FREE, MADE FOR TV SHOW.

THEY WOULD BE COMEDY IF IMPEACHMENT WEREN'T SO SERIOUS AND GRAVE.

WITNESSES DENIED AWARENESS OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

BECAUSE THE MAJORITY HAS FAILED TO MAKE THE CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT, THERE IS NO BIPARTISANSHIP.

COMPELLING, OVERWHELMING, BIPARTISAN, SPEAKER PELOSI HAS NOT MET HER OWN CRITERIA FOR IMPEACHMENT BUT HERE WE ARE.

DESPITE DEMOCRATS TESTING AND TWEAKING THEIR IMPEACHMENT MESSAGE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE REJECTED IT.

I WILL VOTE AGAINST THIS PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT SHAM, LET'S GET BACK TO THE WORK THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT US HERE.

ON THIS SAD DAY OF AN IMPEACHMENT CHARADE, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE ON A SAD DAY FOR AMERICA, A SAD DAY FOR TEXAS AND VERY SAD DAY FOR THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT.

I'M NOT GLEEFUL FOR TODAY.

I CAME TO CONGRESS TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, FIGHT FOR A DEBT-FREE EDUCATION, IMPROVED THE COST OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN OUR SENIORS AND VETERANS.

I DID NOT COME TO CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A SITTING PRESIDENT.

BUT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN NO CHOICE.

HE HAS ERODED THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR DEMOCRACY USED THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS FEAR THAT ONE DAY THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY WOULD STRETCH BEYOND ITS LIMITS THUS THEY ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT LOWER THE ETHICAL STANDARDS OF OUR PRESIDENCY, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WITHER LIKE A CHEAP FLOWER IN BAD WEATHER WATCHING OUR DEMOCRACY CRUMB WELL AND ROT FROM WITHIN.

THAT IS NOT THE AMERICA THE WORLD KNOWS AND LOVES.

AND CERTAINLY NOT THE AMERICA WE WOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS INHERIT.

AND THAT IS WHY TODAY I MUST VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND FULFILL MY OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO MY FRIEND FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE LEARNED OF FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS.

BUT WE HAVE NOT HEARD EVIDENCE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT OF BRIBERY OR EXTORTION.

ALLEGATIONS OF THESE TWO CRIMES AREN'T EVEN MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BEING DEBATED TODAY.

BUT TODAY WE HAVE SEEN A RUSHED PROCESS DIVIDE OUR COUNTRY, TODAY ACCUSATIONS HAVE BEEN HURLED AT EACH OTHER QUESTIONING ONE ANOTHER'S INTEGRITY.

TODAY A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT WILL BE SET, IMPEACHMENT BECOMING A WEAPONIZED POLITICAL TOOL.

WE KNOW HOW THIS PARTISAN PROCESS WILL END THIS EVENING BUT WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW.

CAN THIS CHAMBER PUT DOWN OUR SWORDS AND GET BACK TO WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THIS INSTITUTION HAS A FABLED HISTORY OF PASSING LEGISLATION THAT HAS NOT ONLY CHANGED OUR COUNTRY, BUT HAS INSPIRED THE WORLD.

THIS FEAT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS EXPERIMENT WE CALL AMERICA HAS WON PERPETUAL GOAL.

MAKE A MORE PERFECT UNION.

WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS HISTORY IF BEE RECOGNIZE THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WAY MORE UNITES OUR COUNTRY THAN DIVIDES US.

TOMORROW CAN WE START FOCUSING ON THAT.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS IS INDEED A SAD DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY.

THIS IS INDEED A SAD DAY FOR AMERICA.

BUT IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR OUR CONSTITUTION.

IT IS A SAD DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DEFINED OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR RULES, OUR REQUIREMENTS AND OUR EXPECTATIONS.

IT IS CLEAR THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PLACES HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW.

ABOVE OUR CONSTITUTION.

AND ABOVE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AT MY LAST TOWN HALL MEETING WHICH WAS HELD SATURDAY DECEMBER 15th IN MALCOLM X COLLEGE IN CHICAGO, SOMEONE ASKED THE QUESTION, WHAT IS OUR POSITION ON I AM IMPEACHMENT.

MADAM SPEAKER, EVERY PERSON THERE ROSE AND SAID, IMPEACH.

WHEN I SPEAK I SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE 7th DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS AND MY VOTE WILL BE IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH.

AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY FRIEND FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

IN 1998, SENATOR SCHUMER SAID, AND I QUOTE, THIS I AM IMPEACHMENT WILL BE USED AS A ROUTINE TOOL TO FIGHT POLITICAL BATTLES, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A PREDICTION.

IT W A PROMISE.

NOW IT'S PLAYING OUT.

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S BEING DONE HERE FOR THOSE THAT SAY WE DON'T ADDRESS THE DEFENSE AS FACT, HERE YOU GO.

THE I AM IMPEACHMENTS ARE TWO PURPOSES.

NUMBER ONE, STOP THE INVESTIGATION BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND UKRAINE INTO THE CORRUPTION OF UKRAINE'S INTERFERENCE IN THE U.S. ELECTION IN 2016.

YOU SAID THIS WAS ABOUT, THIS TERRIBLE RUSSIA COLLUSION, THAT FELL THROUGH.

IT'S ABOUT BRIBERY, IT'S ABOUT EXTORTION IT'S CHANGED -- ONE THING HASN'T CHANGED THAT IS THE INTENT TO IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

BUT LET'S BE HONEST, THE PRESIDENT TURNING HIS BACK ON UKRAINE, THAT HAPPENED IN 2009 BECAUSE IN 2008 UKRAINE INVADED GEORGIA.

WHAT HAPPENED, BUSH PUT -- TO TEACH THEM A LESSON, WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT.

IN MARCH OF 2009 HILLARY CLINTON WAS SENT OVER TO RUSSIA WITH A RESET BUTTON TO SAY, BUSH OVERREACTED, WE'RE OKAY THAT YOU INVADED GEORGIA.

IT WAS A GREEN LIGHT TO RUSSIA TO INVADE UKRAINE AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

YOU SEND BLANKETS AND MREs THAT YOU EAT AND BE WARM WHILE THE RUSSIANS ARE KILLING THEM.

THAT IS WHAT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DID.

THIS IS A TRAVESTY.

AND WE'RE IN BIG TROUBLE BECAUSE SCHUMER WAS RIGHT.

NOW LOWERED EVEN FARTHER, THE BAR, IT WILL BE USED FOR POLITICAL BATTLES AND THIS COUNSEL TREE'S END IS NOW INSIDE, I HOPE I DON'T LIVE TO SEE IT.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE WOULD SPOUT RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR -- HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED -- >> THANK YOU -- >> HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MADAM SPEAKER.

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS EXPLICIT.

BRIBERY IS AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

BRIBERY INVOLVES THE ABUSE OF POWER.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE.

BY SOLICITING A BRIBE OF FOREIGN LEADER TO INTERFERE IN AN ELECTION HE WAS AFRAID HE COULD NOT WIHONORABLY, FAIRLY OR FREELY.

PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE ANNOUNCED INVESTIGATION OF MY POLITICAL RIVAL I PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL RELEASE $391 MILLION IN MILITARY AID AND GIVE YOU THE STATURE AMPLIFYING WHITE HOUSE MEETING THAT YOU NEED.

THIS IS -- THIS FOR THAT, SOMETHING FOR SOMETHING TRANSACTION.

SOLICITING A BRIBE FROM FOREIGN LEAD SIR AN ABUSE OF POWER AND A FEDERAL CRIME.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I WANTED TO THANK MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SERVED HONORABLY UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, MADAM SPEAKER.

YOU KNOW, MADAM SPEAKER, IT'S A DARN SHAME THAT WE HAVE FOUND OURSELVES IN THIS POSITION TOD TODAY.

EVERY TIME I STEP INTO THIS CHAMBER I'M HUMBLED TO BE SERVING IN THE GREATEST LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

HOWEVER, IT'S DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING THAT THE HYPER PARTISANSHIP THAT HAS GRIPPED THIS COUNTRY HAS MADE ITS WAY INTO THIS CHAMBER.

I PRIDE MYSELF ON BOGOTA CONSENSUS BUILDER WHO WORKS ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MATTER OF I AM IMPEACHMENT, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP COMMITTED AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE, WHICH IS WHY I WILL VOTE NO.

THIS WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN A PLOY TO CIRCUMVENT THE WHEEL OF THE PEOPLE BY REMOVING A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE AND SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

BUT WE ARE A GREAT NATION.

WE WILL SURVIVE THIS INDIGNITY.

LET'S PUT THIS UGLY CHAPTER BEHIND US, MADAM SPEAKER AND GET TO WORK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM SPEAKER.

MADAM SPEAKER, THE QUESTION THAT WILL BE ANSWERED TODAY IS WILL MEMBERS HONOR THEIR OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

DEMOCRATS ARE NOT SUPPORTING IMPEACHMENT BASED ON A POLICY DISAGREEMENT OR ELECTION RESULTS OF 2016.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

THE PRESIDENT MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

A CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS IS NOT A HOAX OR A WITCH HUNT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST OPPOSES IT.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

NOT EVEN PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS POWER BY PRESSING UKRAINE TO HELP HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

IF PETE SMITH IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY, TRUMP BETRAYED HIS OATH, BETRAYED THE CONSTITUTION AND UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION.

THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY ARE WILLING TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT.

AS A NATION, WE HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE, WE MUST PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

IN HIS OWN WORDS, NO INTELLIGENT PERSON BELIEVES WHAT HE IS SAYING.

>> GENTLEMAN'S TIME IS EXPIRED.

GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF 20 THE GENTLEMAN FROM INDIANA.

>> JOY IS RECOGNIZED FOR MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THE TOTALITY OF THIS PROCESS IS JUST ANOTHER REMINDER THAT MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON POLITICS THAN POLICY.

AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER.

OUR REPUBLIC DESERVES BETTER.

THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR MILITARY, MYSELF INCLUDED, HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

YET TODAY MY COLLEAGUES ARE ERODING THOSE FREEDOMS THROUGH A PROCESS THAT IGNORED FACTS, ABUSED POWER WAS SHROUDED IN SECRECY.

THOSE FACTS COULD NOT BE MORE CLEAR THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED NO CRIME, BROKE NO LAWS AND THERE S NO QUID PRO QUO.

I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE RIGHT THING, REPRESENTING THE HOOSIERS IN MY DISTRICT AND VOTING AGAINST THIS IMPEACHMENT CHARADE.

I STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING POLICIES AND CONTINUE TO MOVE OUR COUNTRY FORWARD.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF OUR COMMITTEES, LEADERSHIP OF THE SPEAKER WE FOUND OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE, TRUMP INVITED FOREIGN INTERESTS TO INTERFREER IN OUR ELECTIONS FOR HIS PERSONAL GAIN.

HE THEN TOOK UNPRECEDENTED EFFORTS TO COVER IT UP.

OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS.

I AM PROUD OF THE COURAGE OF MEMBERS TO DO THEIR DUTY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS PRIVILEGED LIFE, DONALD TRUMP WILL BE FINALLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS RECKLESS PERSONAL BEHAVIOR AND BUSINESS PRACTICES.

I VOTE PROUDLY FOR THESE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THEN I HOPE THE HOUSE RETAINS CONTROL OF THE ARTICLES UNTIL THE SPEAKER AND LEADER SCHUMER CAN NEGOTIATE AGREEMENT ON PROCESS AND WITNESSES FROM McCONNELL SO THAT THE NEXT STAGE WILL BE OPEN AND FAIR SO THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL ULTIMATELY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD ONE AND HALF MINUTES TO MY FRIEND FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE AND A HALF MINUTES.

>> PUBLIC HEARINGS BEGAN NOVEMBER 13th.

LESS THAN A MONTH LATER SPEAKER PELOSI ANNOUNCED ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT DECEMBER 5 SAYING INVESTIGATION HAD REVEALED ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IMPEACHMENT.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT, 22 DAY INVESTIGATION, SIX OF THOSE DAYS WERE WEEKENDS, HEARINGS WEREN'T HAPPEN THE HOUSE WAS NOT IN SECTION.

SEVEN OF THOSE DAYS THAT HOUSE WAS IN RECESS INCLUDING THE WEEK OF THINK THANKSGIVING.

TWO WERE IN BLIND DAYS WHERE CONGRESS DOESN'T HOLD HEARINGS.

OUT OF THE 22 DAYS JUST SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN DAYS WERE USED TO INVESTIGATE, DEBATE AND VOTE ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE DULY ELECTED LEADER OFF OUR TUNE TREE.

NO WONDER MY CONSTILT WANTS ARE UPSET.

SEVEN DAYS TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOT TO MENTION THE INVESTIGATION UNCOVERED ZERO FACTS.

I SPENT EVERY MINUTE I HAD IN THERE AS OBSERVER OF THESE HEARINGS ALL I LEARNED IF YOU HATE SOMEONE, SO STRONGLY ENOUGH PEOPLE AGREE WITH YOU, THAT IS GROUND ENOUGH TO BE IMPEACHED.

WE ASK FOR 12 HOURS OF DEBATE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOTTED TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S I AM IMPEACHMENTS HOURS OF DEBATE FOR THE POSSIBLY BIGGEST VOTE I WILL CAST IN MY TENURE AS REPRESENTATIVE.

ISN'T ASKING TOO MUCH.

NO, WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE CHRISTMAS IT'S OKAY TO RUSH THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I'M ASHAMED TO BE PART OF THIS TODAY EVEN AS I VOTE AGAINST THE IMPEACHMENT.

MY CONSTITUENTS ARE CALLING EVERY DAY, MAD AS HELL SAYING WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED THIS THIS HISTORIC CHAMBER HAS FALLEN SO LOW TO ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF TIME AS I MACON SUM.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNID.

>> SOME MADAM SPEAKER, MY FRIEND THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS A TAG LINE ABOUT THE CLOCK AND CALENDAR.

MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR IT IS ABOUT CORRUPTION AND THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS ABOUT A PRESIDENT WHO ABUSED HIS POWER TO COERCE AN ALLY TO INTERVENE IN OUR ELECTION AND POSE AS CONTINUING THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF OUR NEXT ELECTION.

THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE IS BUILT ON THREE PILLARS, WHEN THOSE THREE PILLARS FALL, THE ENTIRE DEFENSE OF THE PRESIDENT COLLAPSES.

FIRST THEY CLAIM THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.

WELL, THE EVIDENCE IS UNDISPUTED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED A WHITE HOUSE VISIT AND MILITARY AID ON PRESIDENT ZELENSKY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

AMBASSADOR WILLIAM TAYLOR WROTE AT THE TIME, I THINK IT'S CRAZY TO WITHHOLD SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR HELP WITH A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

CLOSE QUOTE.

REPORTER ASKED WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF IF THERE HAD BEEN QUID PRO QUO, HE REPLIED, WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME, GET OVER IT.

THE PRESIDENT REFUSED TO HELP OUR ALLY UNTIL HE GOT A PERSONAL POLITICAL FAVOR.

SO THE FIRST DEFENSE FALLS.

SECOND, MINORITY CLAIMS THAT UKRAINIANS DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE HOLD.

THE EVIDENCE AGAIN IS UNDIS UNDISPUTED.

UKRAINE KNEW ABOUT THE HOLD ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE WITHIN HOURS OF THE PRESIDENT'S JULY 25th CALL.

LAURA COOPER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TESTIFIED UNDER OATH ON JULY 25th, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SENT TWO E-MAILS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NOTIFYING THEM THAT UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WERE ASKING, WHERE IS THE AID.

UKRAINIANS UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ASKING.

HE WANTED A PERSONAL POLITICAL FAVOR BEFORE THE AID WAS RELEASED.

AND SO THE SECOND DEFENSE FALLS.

THIRD AND FINALLY MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS SAY, THE AID WAS RELEASED BUT THE AID WAS RELEASED ONLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT GOT CAUGHT.

THIS HOUSE LAUNCHED ITS INVESTIGATION ON SEPTEMBER 9 9th.

THE HOLD ON THE AID WAS LIFTED ON SEPTEMBER 11th.

THIS IS NOT EVIDENCE OF NOTICE, IT IS EVIDENCE OF CULPABILITY.

THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING AND WHEN HE GOT CAUGHT, HE DID EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO PREVENT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM LEARNING THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS ACTIONS BY DEFYING THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION.

BY ORDERING THAT ALL REQUESTS AND DEMANDS FOR INFORMATION BE DENIED.

WITH OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION AT RISK, WE MUST ACT.

NOT BECAUSE OF THE CLOCK AND THE CALENDAR, BUT TO FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND FOR CONTINUED SELF GOVERNANCE BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I YIELD BACK.

I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD JUST POINT OUT THAT TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT WAS JUST SAID YOU HAVE TO ALSO BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IS A PATHOLOGICAL LIAR.

I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, YOU KNOW WE'RE NOT DEBATING IMPEACHMENT OF AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT TODAY YOUR MINDS ARE ALREADY MADE UP.

THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY HAS HAD A VERDICT I AM IMPEACHMENT LOOKING FOR A CRIME SINCE THE INAUGURATION.

THE "WASHINGTON POST" RAN HEADLINE CAMPAIGN TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEGUN JUST 19 MINUTES AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE.

19 MINUTES.

FRESHMAN CONGRESSWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN TOLD A GROUP OF SUPPORTERS WE'RE GOING TO IMPEACH THE MOTHER BLANK SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS SWORN IN.

EVEN SPEAKER PELOSI ADMITTED LAST WEEK THAT THE IMPEACHMENT EFFORT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS LONG BEFORE ANY PHONE CALL BETWEEN TWO WORLD LEADERS.

IN FACT 71% OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUPPORTED IMPEACHMENT BEFORE THE PHONE CALL.

IMPEACHMENT SHAM IS BASED ON HEARSAY, CONJECTURE AND OPINION.

YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN'T EVEN GET A SPEEDING TICKET IN THIS COUNTRY BASED ON HEARSAY.

BUT YET WE'RE GOING TO IMPEACH AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT BASED ON JUST THAT.

WHERE ARE THE CRIMES OF TREE SONS OR MISDEMEANORS HERE, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT CONSTITUTE IMPEACHABLE, NOT HATRED OR POLICY.

CONGRESS TOLD ADMINISTRATION TO WITHHOLD AID TO UKRAINE UNTIL THEY GOT THEIR ACT TOGETHER, ADDRESS CORRUPTION, STRAIGHTENED OUT, THAT WAS MULTIPLE VOTED ON BY BOTH PARTIES IN THIS CHAMBER.

SIMPLEST TERM WE'RE IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT, SOMETHING WE TOLD HIM TO DO.

WE HAVE WASTED PRECIOUS TIME WE'RE GIVEN TO SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

DEPOSITIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND CHAIRMANSHIPS, CHAMBER OF SECRETS.

BUT AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE GREAT SENSE OF FAIRNESS, I PROMISE YOU, THEY SEE PRESIDENT TRUMP AS NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY IN THIS PROCESS, IMPEACHMENT BASED ON HEARSAY AND OPINION, NOT FACTS.

SAD DAY IN THIS CHAMBER.

THE PEOPLE'S HOW.

I YIELD BACK.

>> REMINDED TO ADDRESS THE REMARKS TO THE CHAIR.

GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD NOW INFORM YOU THAT THE GNTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. SCHIFF, THE CHAIR OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE WILL NOW SERVE AS MY DESIGNEE WILL CONTROL REMAINDER OF THE TIME ON THE MAJORITY SIDE.

>> DOES THE GENTLEMAN YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA?

>> HE'S MY DESIGNEE.

>> DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELD TO HIM.

>> YES, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TO MYSELF AS MUCH TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I THINK MY COLLEAGUE CHAIRMAN NADLER I THANK HIM FOR EXTRAORDINARY JOB THAT HE HAS DONE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND THROUGHOUT THESE DIFFICULT PROCEEDINGS.

MADAM SPEAKER, MY COLLEAGUES, MY FELLOW AMERICANS, I RISE TO SUPPORT THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

WHEN A MAN UNPRINCIPLED AND PRIVATE LIFE, DESPERATE IN HIS FORTUNE, BOLD IN HIS TEMPER, POSSESSED OF CONSIDERABLE TALENT, HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY HABITS, DISPOT I CAN IN HIS ORDINARY DEMEANOR KNOWN TO HAVE SCOFFED AT THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, WHEN SUCH A MAN TO SEEN TO MOUNT THE HOBBY HORSE OF POPULARITY TO JOIN IN THE CRY OF DANGER TO LIBERTY, TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF EMBARRASSING THE GOVERNMENT, THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND BRINGING IT UNDER SUSPICIOUS, TO FLATTER AND FALL IN WITH ALL THE NONSENSE OF ZEALOTS OF THE DAY IT MAY JUSTLY BE SUSPECTED TO THROW THINGS INTO CONFUSION THAT HE MAY RISE THE STORM AND DIRECT THE WHIRLWIND.

THESE ARE THE WORDS OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON WRITTEN IN 1792.

COULD WE FIND A MORE PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT DANGER EMANATING FROM 16 0 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

THE FRAMERS CRAFTED A CONSTITUTION THAT CONTEMPLATED FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS FOR THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND.

BUT ALSO AFFORDED THE CONGRESS WITH THE POWER TO REMOVE A PRESIDENT WHO ABUSES THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

WHO COMPROMISED THE PUBLIC TRUST BY DETAILING OUR NATION'S SECURITY OR WHO SOUGHT TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM BY EKING FOREIGN INTERVENTION IN THE CONDUCT OF OUR ELECTION.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE FOUNDERS COULD HAVE LITTLE IMAGINED THAT A SINGLE PRESIDENT MIGHT HAVE DONE ALL OF THESE THINGS EXCEPT THAT THE EVIDENCE HAS SADLY PROVED THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS PRESIDENT HAS DONE.

HAMILTON AMONG OTHERS SEEM TO HAVE PREDICTED THE RISE OF DONALD TRUMP WITH A STAGGERING PRESSURE.

HAVING ONE FREEDOM FROM A KING THE DRAFTERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION DESIGNED A GOVERNMENT IN WHICH AMBITION WAS MADE TO CHECK AMBITION.

IN WHICH NO BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WOULD PREDOMINATE OVER ANOTHER AND NO MAN WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE ABOVE THE LAW, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT.

ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT SINCE WITH WHOM WOULD THE DANGER BE GREATER THAN WITH THE OFFICER CHARGED WITH BEING OUR COMMANDER IN ECONOMY.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST THREE MONTHS, WE HAVE FOUND INCONTROVERTIBLE THAT'S PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED HIS POWER BY PRESSURING THE NEWLY ELECTED OF UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE AN INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL RIVAL, JOE BIDEN, WITH THE HOPES OF DEFEATING MR. BIDEN IN 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND ENHANCING HIS OWN PROSPECTS FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE DIDN'T EVEN NEED THE INVESTIGATION FOB UNDERTAKEN, JUST SIMPLY ANNOUNCED TO THE PUBLIC.

THE SMEAR OF HIS OPPONENTS, THE SMEAR OF HIS OPPONENT WOULD BE ENOUGH.

TO EFFECTUATE THIS, HE HELD TWO ACTS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO A NATION AT WAR WITH OUR ADVER ADVERSARY, VLADIMIR PUTIN'S RUSSIA.

THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD A WHITE HOUSE MEETING THAT UKRAINE DESPERATELY SOUGHT TO BOLSTER ITS STANDING ON THE WORLD STAGE.

AND EVEN MORE PERNICIOUSLY PRESIDENT TRUMP SUSPENDED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY AID APPROVED BY THIS CONGRESS, TO COERCE UKRAINE INTO DOING HIS ELECTORAL DIRTY WORK.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY BY WITHHOLDING SUPPORT FOR A CRITICAL STRATEGIC PARTNER AT WAR IN ORDER TO IMPROVE HIS RE-ELECTION PROSPECTS.

BUT FOR THE COURAGE OF SOMEONE WILLING TO BLOW THE WHISTLE HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT.

INSTEAD, HE GOT CAUGHT.

HE TRIED TO CHEAT AND HE GOT CAUGHT.

NOW THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME AS A CANDIDATE IN 2016, DONALD TRUMP INVITED RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN HIS PRESIDENTIAL EXAM PAIN SAYING AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY, RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, I HOPE YOU'RE ABLE TO FIND THE 30,000 E-MAILS THAT ARE MISSING.

A CLEAR INVITATION TO HACK HILLARY CLINTON'S E-MAILS.

JUST FIVE HOURS LATER, RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT HACKERS TRIED TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

WHAT FOLLOWED WAS AN IMMENSE RUSSIAN HACKING AND DUMPING OPERATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO HELP ELECT DONALD TRUMP.

NOT ONLY DID CANDIDATE TRUMP WELCOME THAT EFFORT BUT HE MADE FULL USE OF IT BUILDING IT INTO HIS CAMPAIGN PLAN, HIS MESSAGING STRATEGY AND THEN HE SOUGHT TO COVER IT UP.

THIS RUSSIAN EFFORT TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS DIDN'T DETER DONALD TRUMP.

IT EMPOWERED HIM.

THE DAY AFTER SPECIAL COUNSEL BOB MUELLER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT RUSSIA'S SWEEPING AND SYSTEMIC EFFORTS TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF OUR LAST ELECTION, THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP BELIEVED THAT THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS FIRST ELECTORAL MISCONDUCT HAD COME TO AN END, THE PRESIDENT WAS BACK ON THE PHONE URGING YET ANOTHER COUNTRY, THIS TIME UKRAINE, TO HELP HIM CHEAT IN ANOTHER ELECTION.

THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN JULY TELLS SO MUCH OF THE STORY.

THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN JULY OF 2019.

JULY 24th, THE DAY THAT SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT TRUMP THOUGHT HE WAS FINALLY IN THE CLEAR.

JULY 235th, THE DAY THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP GOT ON THE PHONE WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT AND IN THE CONTEXT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT MILITARY SUPPORT FOR THAT EMBATTLED NATION THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD RECENTLY FROZEN SAID, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR, THOUGH.

AND ASKED UKRAINE TO DO TWO INVESTIGATIONS TO HELP HIS RE-ELECTION EFFORTS IN 2020.

THAT WAS JULY 25th.

AND THEN WE COME TO JULY 26th.

THE DAY GORDON SONDLAND CALLED PRESIDENT TRUMP ON HIS CELL PHONE FROM A RESTAURANT IN UKRAINE.

GORDON SONDLAND NOT SOME ANONYMOUS NEVER TRUMPER BUT MILLION DOLLAR DONOR TO THE PRESIDENT'S INAUGURATION AND HAND PICKED AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WHAT DOES PRESIDENT TRUMP ASK SONDLAND?

THE DAY AFTER THIS CALL?

WHAT DOES PRESIDENT TRUMP ASK?

WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT WANT TO KNOW?

DID HE ASK ABOUT UKRAINE'S EFFORTS TO BATTLE CORRUPTION?

OF COURSE NOT.

DID HE ASK HOW THE WAR WITH RUSSIA WAS GOING, NOT A CHANCE.

ON THE PHONE HIS VOICE LOUD ENOUGH FOR OTHERS TO HEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED SONDLAND, SO WAS CLEAR, SONDLAND ASSURED TRUMP THAT THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT WAS GOING TO DO IT AND THAT HE WOULD DO ANYTHING YOU ASKED HIM TO.

IF THAT WASN'T TELLING ENOUGH, MY COLLEAGUES, IN A CONVERSATION THAT FOLLOWED, AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT DIME BEING SONDLAND ASKED, IF IT WAS TRUE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T GIVE A BLANK ABOUT UKRAINE.

SONDLAND AGREED SAYING THE PRESIDENT CARED ONLY ABOUT BIG STUFF.

THE DIPLOMAT NOTED THAT THERE WAS BIG STUFF IN UKRAINE, LIKE A WAR WITH RUSSIA, AND SONDLAND REPLIED THAT THE PRESIDENT CARED ONLY ABOUT BIG STUFF THAT BENEFITS HIM PERSONALLY, LIKE THE BIDEN INVESTIGATION THAT MR. GIULIANI WAS PUSHING.

IN THAT SHORT CONVERSATION, WE LEARNED EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT UKRAINE OR THE IMPACT ON OUR NATIONAL SECURITY CAUSED BY WITHHOLDING MILITARY AID TO THAT COUNTRY FIGHTING FOR ITS DEMOCRATIC LIFE.

ALL THAT MATTERS TO THIS PRESIDENT IS WHAT AFFECTS HIM PERSONALLY, AN INVESTIGATION INTO HIS POLITICAL RIVAL AND A CHANCE TO CHEAT IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

AS PROFESSOR GERHART TESTIFIED BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TWO WEEKS AGO, IF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT IMPEACHABLE, THEN NOTHING IS IMPEACHABLE.

EVEN AS THIS BODY UNCOVERED THE FACTS OF THIS UKRAINE SCHEME, EVEN AS WE OPEN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, EVEN AS WE GATHERED EVIDENCE, PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED HIS EFFORTS TO SEEK FOREIGN HELP IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

WELL, I WOULD THINK, HE SAID, FROM THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN ON OCTOBER 3rd, THAT IF THEY'RE BEING HONEST ABOUT IT, THEY'D START A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS, IT'S A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER, HE SAID.

AND HE MADE IT CLEAR, IT'S AN OPEN INVITATION TO OTHER NATIONS, AS WELL, SAYING CHINA SHOULD START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS, TOO.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SENT HIS CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE WHITE HOUSE PODIUM AND HE TOLD THE WORLD THAT, OF COURSE, THEY HAD LINKED AID TO INVESTIGATIONS AND THAT WE SHOULD JUST GET OVER IT.

AND EVEN AS THESE ARTICLES HAVE MADE THEIR WAY TO THIS HOUSE FLOOR, THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY HAS CONTINUED PURSUING THESE SHAM INVESTIGATIONS ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENT, THE PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS MEN PLOT ON.

THE DANGER PERSISTS, THE RISK IS REAL, OUR DEMOCRACY IS AT PERIL.

BUT WE ARE NOT WITHOUT A REMEDY PRESCRIBED BY THE FOUNDERS FOR JUST THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IMPEACHMENT.

THE ONLY QUESTION IS WILL WE USE IT OR HAVE WE FALLEN PREY TO ANOTHER EVIL THAT THE FOUNDERS FOREWARNED, THE EXCESS OF FACTIONALISM, THE ELEVATION OF PARTY OVER COUNTRY.

MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES APPEARED TO HAVE MADE THEIR CHOICE TO PROTECT THE PRESIDENT, TO ENABLE HIM TO BE ABOVE THE LAW, TO EMPOWER THIS PRESIDENT TO CHEAT AGAIN, AS LONG AS IT IS IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR PARTY AND THEIR POWER.

THEY HAVE MADE THEIR CHOICE, DESPITE THIS PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE STONEWALLING EVERY SUBPOENA, EVERY REQUEST FOR WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY FROM THIS CO-EQUAL -- CO-EQUAL -- BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, THEY HAVE MADE THEIR CHOICE THAT TO ALLOW THIS PRESIDENT TO OBSTRUCT CONGRESS WILL EMPOWER HIM AND EVERY OTHER WHO FOLLOWS WILL ALLOW HIM TO BE AS CORRUPT AND NEGLIGENT AND ABUSE OF POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY AS THEY CHOOSE.

THEY HAVE MADE THEIR CHOICE, AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL RUE THE DAY THAT THEY DID.

WHEN DONALD J. TRUMP WAS SWORN IN ON JANUARY 20, 2017, HE REPEATED THESE WORDS -- I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY E CUTE THE OFFICE TO HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

HAS HE LIVED UP TO THAT SACRED OBLIGATION?

HAS HE HONORED HIS OATH OF OFFICE?

HAS HE PRESERVED, PROTECTED AND DEFENDED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE UNCONTESTED EVIDENCE PROVIDES THE SIMPLE YET TRAGIC ANSWER "HE HAS NOT."

IN AMERICA, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

DONALD J. TRUMP SACRIFICED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IN AN EFFORT TO CHEAT IN THE NEXT ELECTION, AND, FOR THAT AND HIS CONTINUED EFFORTS TO SEEK FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS, HE MUST BE IMPEACHED.

I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TI TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

MADAM CHAIR.

NICE TO SEE YOU HERE CHAIRMAN SCHIFF.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE EITHER YOU OR THE WHISTLEBLOWER PRESENT IN EITHER THE JUDICIARY OR THE OVERSIGHT HEARINGS, AND I THINK WE'RE CONTINUING TO NEGLECT THE FOUR KEY FACT OF THIS -- THE TRANSCRIPT IS OUT, EVERYBODY CAN READ IT, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN READ IT, THERE'S NO CONDITION THAT OR AID DISCUSSED ON THAT CALL.

THE TWO PRINCIPALS ON THAT CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SAID THERE IS NO PRESSURE.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HAS BASICALLY SCREAMED FROM THE ROOFTOPS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THERE WAS NO PRESSURE, NO BRIBERY, NO QUID PRO QUO.

THE UKRAINIAN GOT THE MONEY AND DIDN'T KNOW THE AID WAS BEING PAUSED AND NO INVESTIGATION WAS ANNOUNCED AND NO MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT TOOK PLACE AND IT WAS RELEASED.

WITH THAT, I YIELD.

>> -- REMINDED TO ADDRESS THE REMARKS TO THE CHAIR.

>> WITH THAT I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF OF MY TIME FOR MY FRIEND FROM MO MR. SMITH.

>> GENTLEMAN IS REC EYED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I COME FROM A STATE THAT RAISES COTTONS AND DEMOCRATS, YOUR FROTHY EVIDENCE NEITHER CONVINCES NOR SATISFIES ME.

I'M FROM THE "SHOW ME" STATE.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW ME.

THE ONLY THING THAT YOU ALL HAVE SHOWN SO FAR IS THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO IMPEACH A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT WHO HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.

DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED OF OUR REPUBLIC OR THAT HE HAS COMMITTED A CRIME.

THEY ARE IMPEACHING HIM BECAUSE THEY FEAR THE PRESIDENT'S POLICIES AND HOW WELL THEY ARE WORKING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

MOST OF ALL, THEY FEAR THE ELECTION BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN'T BEAT THEM.

IN FACT, ONE OF MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES IS QUOTED, STATING, I'M CONCERNED IF WE DON'T IMPEACH HIM, HE WILL GET REELECTED.

THIS KIND OF RHETORIC IS DISGUSTING.

IMPEACHMENT IS NOT A POLITICAL WEAPON, AND ANY MEMBER WHO VOTES FOR IMPEACHMENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED TODAY.

YOU CANNOT UNDO THE RESULTS OF THE 2016 ELECTION SIMPLY BECAUSE YOUR FLAWED CANDIDATE DID NOT WIN, AND THANK GOD SHE DIDN'T.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, UNEMPLOYMENT HAS DROPPED TO THE LOWEST POINT IN GENERATIONS.

WE ARE SEEING BETTERRER TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH OUR TRADING PARTNERS AND RECORD NUMBERS OF TAXES AND REGULATIONS THAT STIFLE ECONOMIC GROWTH HAVE BEEN ROLLED BACK, ALL THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT.

BUT WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

DEMOCRATS HAVE INTRODUCED ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT -- CAN I HAVE 30 SECONDS?

>> WE YIELD HIM 15 SECONDS.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED DEMOCRATS HAVE INTRODUCE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT IN FIVE OUT OF OUR LAST SIX REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS.

THEY ARE THE PARTY OF IMPEACHMENT.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE PARTY OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

ONCE AGAIN, MEMBERS ARE ADMONISHED TO ADDRESS THEIR REMARKS TO THE CHAIR.

GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> THANK YOU.

I YIELD TO MR. SWALWELL.

>> MR. SWALWELL IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> DONALD TRUMP IS USING THE PRESIDENCY TO PUT HIS OWN PERSONAL GAIN ABOVE OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS.

HE IS USING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE TO CHEAT THE NEXT ELECTION AND IT JEOPARDIZES OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTEGRITY AT THE BALLOT BOX, AND NOT A SINGLE FACT IN THIS CASE IS SERIOUSLY IN DISPUTE.

I ASK MY COLLEAGUES, WHO SENT HIS PERSONAL LAWYER TO UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL RIVAL?

WHO FIRED AN AMBASSADOR WHO STOOD IN HIS WAY?

WHO CONDITIONED A WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON INVESTIGATIONS THAT ONLY PERSONALLY BENEFITED HIM AND NOT THE NATIONAL INTEREST?

WHO CUT OFF MILITARY AID TO AN ALLY THAT DESPERATELY NEEDED IT?

WHO PRESSURED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO CONDUCT THOSE INVESTIGATIONS?

WHO STOOD ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN AND ASKED NOT ONLY UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE HIS RIVAL BUT ALSO CHINA.

WHO HAS BURIED EVIDENCE AND BLOCKED WITNESSES FROM TESTIFYING, AND WHO IS STILL, TODAY, SENDING HIS PERSONAL LAWYER TO UKRAINE TO DIG UP DIRT AND RIG AN ELECTION?

THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS IS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THIS IS A CRIME SPREE IN PROGRESS, BUT WE KNOW HOW TO STOP IT -- COURAGE.

YES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS SHOWN US HOW CORRUPT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS, BUT IT'S ALSO SHOWN US THE COURAGE OF SOME OF OUR FELLOW PATRIOTIC CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAVE USED THEIR COURAGE TO NOT ONLY STAND UP AROUND THE WORLD TO EXTINGUISH CORRUPTION, BUT ALSO TO EXTINGUISH IT AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

HOW?

WELL, MY COLLEAGUES ARGUE, NO HARM, NO FOUL.

UKRAINE GOT THE AID.

WRONG.

TRUMP CHEATED.

PATRIOTS CAUGHT HIM.

THEN UKRAINE GOT THE AID.

STANDING UP, TURNS OUT, WORKS.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SUMMON THE COURAGE OF THOSE PATRIOTS AND THE COURAGE THEY SHOWED AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.

IF THEY CAN RISK THEIR CAREERS, EVEN THEIR LIVES TO DO THE RIGHT THING, CAN MY COLLEAGUES ALSO DO THE SAME?

AFTER ALL, MORE IS ON THE LINE THAN JUST MILITARY AID TO AN ALLY.

OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS AT STAKE.

STAND UP FOR THAT.

OUR ELECTION INTEGRITY IS AT STAKE, STAND UP FOR THAT.

OUR CONSTITUTION IS AT STAKE.

STAND UP FOR THAT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

MAY I INQUIRE AS TO THE TIME REMAINING ON EACH SIDE?

>> THE GENTLEMAN HAS ONE HOUR AND 23.25 MINUTES REMAINING AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS ONE HOUR AND 18 MINUTES REMAINING.

>> APPRECIATE THE DETAIL.

I YIELD ONE AND A HALF MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE AND A HALF MINUTES.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR AMERICA.

THIS PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT SCAM SEEKS TO DISENFRANCHISE 63 MILLION AMERICAN VOTERS.

SO I WANT TO USE MY TIME TO CALL ON THIS CHAMBER FOR MEMBERS TO RISE AND OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION.

TO GIVE EVERY MEMBER HERE THE CHANCE TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND REMEMBER THE VOICES OF THE 63 MILLION AMERICAN VOTERS THE DEMOCRATS TODAY ARE WANTING TO SILENCE.

(SENCE) MADAM SPEAKER, DISENFRANCHISING 63 MILLION VOTERS GIVES ME 63 MILLION REASONS TO VOTE NO, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK, GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MS. SEWELL, G GENTLELADY FROM ALABAMA.

>> IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART AND PROFOUND SENSE OF THE GRAVITY OF THIS MOMENT THAT I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

TO BE CLEAR, I DID NOT RUN FOR CONGRESS TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT.

I CAME TO WORK EVERY DAY ON BEHALF OF THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE OF ALABAMA'S 7 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, BUT THE FACTS ARE UNCONTESTED, THE TRUTH IS CLEAR, AND I HAVE BEEN LEFT NO OTHER CHOICE.

AS A MEMBER OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, I SAT IN SHOCK, IN AWE, AS WITNESS AFTER WITNESS CAME FORWARD, THEIR STORIES PAINTING A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER.

THEY TESTIFIED THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD DIRECT ORDERS TO WITHHOLD VITAL MILITARY AID FOR UKRAINE AND A WHITE HOUSE VISIT IN EXCHANGE FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

TO DATE, ALL THE MILITARY AID HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, AND THERE STILL HAS BEEN NO WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS CLEAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDANGERED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE VERY ESSENCE OF OUR DEMOCRACY FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL POLITICAL GAIN.

THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT TO COVER IT UP BY SUBVERTING THE OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS.

IF PRESIDENTIAL ABUSE OF POWER IS LEFT UNCHECKED, WE ALL BECOME ACCOMPLICES WHEN HE DOES IT AGAIN.

THIS CANNOT BECOME THE NEW NORMAL, NOT ON OUR WATCH!

WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INDEFENSIBLE ACTIONS SET IN MOTION THIS EVENT, MY VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT TODAY IS NOT ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

IT IS ABOUT MY OATH TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO MAKE SURE THAT I UPHOLD AND HONOR THE SACRED TRUST THAT MY CONSTITUENTS GAVE ME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BETRAYED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

LET US NOT BETRAY OURS.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

I'M BACK.

OH, YOU'RE BACK FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I'M BACK.

I NOTICE CHANGES SINCE WE LET.

I NOTICE I HAVE A NEW MANAGER ON THE OTHER SIDE WHO AS I CAME BACK IN FROM GETTING A QUICK BITE GAVE AN ELOQUENT DEFENSE OF HIS SIDE OF THE STORY WE'RE TELLING.

I WISH WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT SAME ELOQUENT DEFENSE BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SO HE COULD BE ASKED QUESTIONS INSTEAD OF JUST GIVING ONE SIDE.

I YIELD MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, TODAY WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED AS A STAIN ON OUR REPUBLIC.

THESE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT BASED ON FACTS, EVIDENCE, REASON OR ANY APPROPRIATE OR IMPEACHABLE ACTIONS BY OUR PRESIDENT.

INSTEAD, THE ACTIONS BEING TAKEN BY THOSE FAVORING IMPEACHMENT ARE A PRODUCT OF THEIR DISDAIN FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, HIS AMERICA-FIRST AGENDA, AND PARTICULARLY A DISDAIN BY THE OTHER PARTY FOR THE 63 MILLION AMERICANS THAT ELECTED HIM AS PRESIDENT.

AGAIN, THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ARE NOT BASED ON ANY FACTS, BUT RATHER ON HEARSAY, PRESUMPTIONS, INNUENDO AND FEELINGS.

FEELINGS BY DEMOCRATS AND CAREER BUREAUCRATS WHO HAVE WANTED PRESIDENT TRUMP REMOVED FROM OFFICE SINCE THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED.

IN DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTION, I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO OPPOSE BOTH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHO WILL JUDGE THOSE VOTING FOR IMPEACHMENT TODAY MORE HARSHLY, HISTORY OR VOTERS.

SO I WANT DEMOCRATS VOTING FOR IMPEACHMENT TODAY TO KNOW I WILL BE PRAYING FOR THEM FROM THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, THE 23 23rd CHAPTER, VERSUS 34, AND JESUS SAID, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE REFERRED TO PATRIOTIC AMERICANS WHO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE INT INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE S CAREER BUREAUCRATS.

THOSE CAREER BUREAUCRATS ARE PEOPLE LIKE BILL TAYLOR WHO SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR DECADES, GRADUATED TOP OF HIS CLASS AT WEST POINT, SERVED DURING VIETNAM IN COMBAT, EARNED A BRONZE STAR.

THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE COLONEL VINDMAN, SERVED IN IRAQ, EARNED A PURPLE HEART.

PEOPLE LIKE AMBASSADOR MARIE YOVANOVITCH, SERVED IN DANGEROUS PLACES ALL OVER THE WORLD, ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED OF ALL OUR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE MY CLOSING WOULD PEJORATIVELY LABEL AS CAREER BUREAUCRATS, AND WHY?

BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THEIR LAWFUL DUTY, TO ANSWER A SUBPOENA, TO COME AND TESTIFY AND, FOR THIS, THEY ARE CALLED CAREER BUREAUCRATS.

WELL, WE SHOULD HAVE MORE CAREER BUREAUCRATS OF THAT CALIBER.

I'M PLEASED TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. COSTA.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

I RISE WITH A HEAVY HEART.

THE TWO MOST DIFFICULT VOTES CONGRESS HAS TO CAST ARE TO VOTE TO GO TO WAR OR TO IMPEACH.

I WILL VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT.

I'VE LISTENED TO CONSTITUENTS AND WEIGHED ALL THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED WRONGDOING.

THERE ARE DISTURBING FACTS INCLUDE TPGHT'S OWN WORDS.

HIS AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION TESTIFIED THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO TO WITHHOLD AID TO UKRAINE FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN, AND THAT EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

HIS OWN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JOHN BOLTON SAID HE WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS DRUG DEAL, AS HE CALLED IT, AND THEN THE PRESIDENT OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT CHINA AND UKRAINE SHOULD INVESTIGATE MR. BIDEN.

THERE'S MUCH MORE EVIDENCE POINTING TO THE PRESIDENT VIOLATING HIS OWN OATH OF OFFICE.

I HAVE NOT MADE THIS DECISION LIGHTLY, BUT I MUST UPHOLD MY OWN OATH OF OFFICE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT HAS FAILED TO UPHOLD HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY AND MY BELIEF IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND OUR OWN NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS HAVE LED ME TO THIS VOTE, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

IT IS INTERESTING TO SAY AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYBODY WHO WOULD COME AND GIVE TESTIMONY BUT IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE SAME CHAIRMAN WHO JUST SPOKE ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THOSE TESTIFIED WOULD COMPLETELY DISMISS ANYTHING BY MR. VOLCKER OR MORRISON, BUT AT LEAST THEY HAD THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO COME AND TESTIFY, UNLIKE THE CHAIRMAN WHO WROTE A REPORT TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND DIDN'T.

>> I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITIONO THE POLITICALLY DRIVEN ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY, FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE VOTERS' CHOICE TO ELECT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THEY'VE USED ANY AND ALL UNDEMOCRATIC AND UNFAIR MEANS NECESSARY TO TRY TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE.

MY VOTE TODAY IS NOT ONLY AGAINST ILLEGITIMATE IMPEACHMENT OF OUR PRESIDENT WHICH BEGAN NOT WITH FACTS BIBUT WITH A FOREGONE CONCLUSION IS AGAINST HOUSE DEMOCRATS MAKING A MOCKERY OF DUE PROCESS AND THE RULE OF LAW.

THIS WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE IN THE SENATE, SO ALL DEMOCRATS HAVE ACOMPLISHED IS POSTPONING THE IMPORTANT WORK OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SENT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO WASHINGTON TO DO.

THIS ENDLESS CREW SAID OF DEMOCRATS TO REMOVE THE DULY-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS PUT PARTISAN POLITICS ABOVE THE ISSUES THAT AMERICANS FACE TODAY.

IT'S TIME DEMOCRATS STOP PLAYING PARTISAN GAMES THAT HURT HARD-WORKING TAXPAYERS.

IT'S TIME FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BE CONGRESS' PRIORITY AGAIN.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN VOTING NO AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I AM MORE THAN DELIGHTED TO REFER TO THE TESTIMONY AMBASSADOR VOLCKER MADE.

AMBASSADOR VOLCKER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT, IN RETROSPECT, HE SHOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED WHEN THEY WERE CALLING FOR INVESTIGATIONS OF BURISMA IT REALLY MEANT THE BIDENS AND THAT TO ASK A FOREIGN LEADER TO INVESTIGATE A POLITICAL RIVAL WAS WRONG.

HAPPY TO REFER TO HIS TESTIMONY AS WELL AS MR. MORRISON, WHO WENT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL LAWYER IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE LISTENED TO THAT TELEPHONE CALL AND WHO ALSO TESTIFIED THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX, THAT HE WANTED HIM TO BE FORCED TO GO TO THE MIC AND ANNOUNCE THESE SHAM INVESTIGATIONS, HAPPY TO REFER TO THEIR TESTIMONY AS WELL, AND NOW HAPPY TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR TWO MINUTES, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

MY FATHER FLED NAZI GERMANY FOR AMERICA BECAUSE HE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN A DESPOT BECAME UNTETHERED.

HE FLED BECAUSE HE BELIEVED IN DEMOCRACY, THE RULE OF LAW AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

BEFORE HE DIED HE ASKED TO BE BURIED IN A SIMPLE PINE BOX WITH AN AMERICAN FLAG TO SYMBOLIZE HIS LOVE OF THIS COUNTRY.

TODAY, WE ARE CALLED UPON TO DO OUR DUTY OUT OF LOVE OF COUNTRY.

THE PRESIDENT STANDS ACCUSED.

WE MUST JUDGE HIM AS WE JUDGE ANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS ON FACTS AND ON THE LAW.

THE FACTS SHOW THAT THE PRESIDENT'S NORTH STAR IS RUSSIA, NOT THE CONSTITUTION.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DELAYED MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE, OUR ALLY, AS THEY WERE UNDER ATTACK BY RUSSIA, OUR ADVERSARY.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AT THE WHITE HOUSE, GIVING RUSSIA THE UPPER HAND IN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH UKRAINE.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMOTED THE RUSSIAN HOAX THAT UKRAINE ATTACKED OUR ELECTION IN 2016.

A CANARD THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE A LIE, A RUSSIAN LIE.

THE ONLY QUESTION IS HIS MOTIVE.

THE FACT IS HIS CONDUCT AND CRIMES ARE REPREHENSIBLE AND UNQUESTIONABLY IMPEACHABLE.

WHEN I VOTE TODAY, MY FATHER'S LEGACY IS VERY DEEP WITHIN ME.

MY FATHER LOVED AMERICA, AND I LOVE AMERICA, AND THAT IS WHY I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I SEE HOW THIS IS PLAYING OUT.

INSTEAD OF TESTIFYING FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT HOURS AND ANSWERING ALL QUESTIONS, WE'LL DO THIS IN POT SHOTS.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT MR. VOLCKER AGAIN.

HE NEVER TESTIFIED ANYONE WANTED TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.

WHAT HE DID TESTIFY TO WHICH WAS LEFT OUT WAS THAT IF THE UKRAINIANS ARE DOING BAD THINGS PLACED HUNTER BIDEN ON THE BOARD OF BURISMA TO AVOID ANYTHING, THAT NEEDED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT.

LET'S TELL THE STORY.

HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THIS IN AN ACTUAL HEARING, NOT HERE.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT.

THIS IS HOW THE MAJORITY PLAYED THIS OUT THE WHOLE TIME.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THEY M HAD A CASE TO MAKE IN A PROPER SETTING INSTEAD OF NOT COMING OR TESTIFYING.

I YIELD.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR THE SOCIALISTIC LEFT DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE A NEW FOUND APPRECIATION FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FOUNDERS' PRINCIPLES.

WITH IT THOSE SAME SOCIALISTS, MADAM SPEAKER, WOULD AFFORD THE UNBORN BABIES THE RIGHT TO LIFE PURSUIT TO HAPPINESS AS WELL.

IN THE FIRST TWO IMPEACHMENTS IN THIS COUNTRY, CRIMES WERE INVOLVED.

NIXON WAS INVOLVED IN A COVERUP IN WATERGATE.

CLINTON LIED TO A FEDERAL GRAND JURY AND INSTRUCTED TO MONICA LEWINSKY TO FALSIFY AN AFFIDAVIT.

CRIMES, ALL INSTANCES OF CRIMES.

NOW COMES THE SOCIALISTIC LEANING DEMOCRATS ESSENTIALLY READING THE PRESIDENT'S MINDS KNOWING WHAT HIS INTENT WAS AND DICTATING TO US WHO WERE IN THE HEARINGS WHAT HIS MIND SET WAS AND QUITE FRANKLY THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE HE HAD THE RIGHT TO BE IN CHARGE OF FOREIGN POLICY.

WE HEARD AMBASSADORS AND, YES, WE HEARD CAREER BUREAUCRATS, CAREER DIPLOMATS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THEM, WHO GET TO RIDE, NOT DRIVE THE BUS.

THE PRESIDENT IS IN CHARGE OF FOREIGN POLICY.

THEY SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD THE AUDACITY TO USE HIS JUDGMENT ON FOREIGN POLICY INSTEAD OF THEIRS.

OPINIONS.

OPINIONS.

SUPPOSITIONS, INDEED.

THE VERY SWAMP HE IS DRAINING IS OBJECTING.

WHO KNEW.

WHO KNEW.

TODAY, NOW, DURING THE EARLIER RULE DEBATE COMES THE FLOOR MANAGER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF MASSACHUSETTS CITING NOT FACT WITNESSES BUT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, CNN, U.S.A.

OPINIONS, EDITORIALS.

UNBELIEVABLE, MADAM SPEAKER.

AMERICANS ARE WATCHING.

THE Ds ARE COLLUSIONLE, DELETERIOUS, DELIRIOUS AND IN DEEP YOGURT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

I WOULD JUST REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT AMBASSADOR VOLCKER SAID THAT THE ATTACKS ON JOE BIDEN WERE MERITLESS AND TRIED TO PERSUADE MR. GIULIANI THAT THERE WAS NO FACTUAL SUPPORT FOR THEM.

PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA MR. LEWIS FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING.

MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE WITH A HEAVY HEART TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

WHEN WE CAME TO WASHINGTON IN 1961 TO GO ON THE FREEDOM RIDES, WE CHOSE THAT DAY WHEN WE CAME HERE ON AUGUST 28th, 1963, FOR THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON,, WE MET WITH A YOUNG PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY.

WHEN WE CAME HERE ON AUGUST 6, 1965, FOR THE SIGNING OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WE WERE EXCITED, HOPEFUL.

WE MET PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON.

BUT TODAY, WE DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS.

THIS IS A SAD DAY.

IT IS NOT A DAY OF JOY.

OUR NATION IS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE KINGS, WE HAVE PRESIDENTS, AND THE CONSTITUTION IS OUR COMPASS.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT RIGHT, NOT JUST, NOT FAIR, YOU HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO SAY SOMETHING, TO DO SOMETHING.

OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL ASK US, WHAT DID YOU DO?

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

FOR SOME, THIS VOTE MAY BE HARD, BUT WE HAVE A MISSION AND A MANDATE TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO STEP AWAY FROM THE TABLE TO PREPARE FOR TONIGHT'S "NewsHour".

PLEASE WATCH OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE HERE AS IT CONTINUES LIVE.

THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS MIEKE EOYANG AND MICHAEL ALLEN, BOTH FORMER STAFFERS FROM THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND LISA DESJARDINS WHO CONTINUES TO WATCH AND REPORT ON THE HEARING.

TUNE IN TONIGHT AT YOUR REGULAR TIME FOR FULL ANALYSIS ON THE "NewsHour".

I'M NICK SCHIFRIN.

FOR ALL OF US AT "PBS NEWSHOUR," THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US.

>> IT'S YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO REACH THEIR PRE-DETERMINED CONCLUSION OF IMPEACHMENT, A CONCLUSION BUILT ON POLITICAL BIAS, ACCUSATIONS AND INNUENDO.

THESE REPETITIVE AND FALSE ALLEGATIONS REVEAL A POLITICAL OBSESSION DISGUISED AS SOME KIND OF RIGHTEOUS OVERSIGHT.

WHEN THEY DIDN'T WIN AT THE BALLOT BOX, THEY PURSUED A RUSSIAN COLLUSION NARRATIVE, AS SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER HAD TO WASTE TIME AND TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PROVE FALSE.

WHEN THE RUSSIAN COLLUSION MALICIOUS DECEPTION DIDN'T WORK, MADAM SPEAKER, DEMOCRATS SOUGHT A NEW PATH FORWARD TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THEY CREATED A MADE FOR TV SET OF HEARINGS, COMPLETE WITH WITNESS AUDITIONS HELD IN THE BASEMENT OF THE CAPITOL.

DESPITE ALL THEIR EFFORTS, THE CHARGES THE HOUSE CONSIDERS TODAY LACK EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEM.

THERE WASN'T ONE WITNESS THAT SAID A CRIME OR IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED.

MADAM SPEAKER, I REMIND MY COLLEAGUES, NO CRIME, NO IMIMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD DEFENSE, IF YOU ASK ME.

LY WORK DILIGENTLY TO FURTHER REVEAL THE TRUTHS AND FURTHER REVEAL THE ABUSES OF POWER, MADAM SPEAKER, THAT DEMOCRATS PAID FOR AND ENACTED DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS.

ABUSES OF POWER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WITHIN THIS BODY AND WITHIN OUR F.B.I.

AMERICANS DESERVE THE TRUTH.

ALL IN ALL, HISTORY WILL REMEMBER TODAY IS THE POLITICAL IMPEACHMENT THAT SET THE PRECEDENT FOR PRESIDENTS TO BE IMPEACHED EVERY TIME THERE'S A DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

I OPPOSE THE ARTICLES BEFORE US TODAY, AND I YIELD BACK TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THEIR SUPERIOR IMAGINATIONS.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, MR. QUIGLEY, FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

INDEED, WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ABUSED HIS POWER AND BETRAYED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

HE LAID SIEGE TO THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY, THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

THESE ACTIONS OPPOSED A DIRECT THREAT TO THE FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS OF THE UPCOMING 2020 ELECTION.

THE VERY DAY AFTER ROBERT MUELLER TESTIFIED THAT RUSSIA HAD SYSTEMATICALLY AND RELENTLESSLY ATTACKED THE 2016 ELECTION, THE PRESIDENT PICKED UP THE PHONE AND MADE HIS NOW INFAMOUS JULY 25th CALL TO UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, ASKING THE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, ON THAT CALL TO, QUOTE, DO US A FAVOR, THOUGH, AND ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS INTO HIS POLITICAL RIVAL JOE BIDEN.

WE HAVE SINCE LEARNED FROM NUMEROUS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, THE PRESIDENT DID NOT EVEN EXPECT UKRAINE TO OPEN THESE INVESTIGATIONS, RATHER HE JUST WANTED THEM ANNOUNCED SO HE COULD SMEAR HIS RIVAL.

RATHER THAN TRUSTING THE OTHERS TO DECIDE WHO SHOULD HOLD THE WHITE HOUSE, HE AGAIN SOUGHT THE AID OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO TIP THE SCALES IN FAVOR AGAIN.

AFTER RUSSIA'S UNPRECEDENTED INTERFERENCE, A DARK CLOUD HELD OVER THE 2016 ELECTION AND, INSTEAD OF LEADING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OUT FROM UNDER THE CLOUD, THE PRESIDENT, INSTEAD, EMBOLDENED BY PERCEIVED LACK OF CONSEQUENCE, ATTEMPTED TO PRESSURE ZELENSKY TO INTERFERE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

AFTER A COURAGEOUS WHISTLEBLOWER CAME FORWARD AND WARNED CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME, THE PRESIDENT STOOD ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN IN FRONT OF TV CAMERAS, BROADCASTING AROUND THE WORLD IN A CALL FOR CHINA TO INTERFERE, TOO.

SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ASKED WHY NOT WAIT?

WHY ARE WE PROCEEDING?

THAT'S VERY SIMPLE, BECAUSE NOTHING COULD BE MORE URGENT.

WE ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF THE 2020 ELECTION AND CONGRESS HAS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE SACRED EQUALIZER, OUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

TO DEFEND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS AND TO FULFILL OUR DUTY TO THE CONSTITUTION, I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHMENT TODAY, AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS POINT I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE J.

FROM COLORADO.

>> GENTLEMAN RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPARKS ANYONE WATCHING THIS IMPEACHMENT SIGNIFYING NOTHING SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR THREE REPRESENTATIONS THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING, ONE, TRUMP ENDANGERED NATIONAL SECURITY.

NO, THE 55 DELAY DID NOT STOP THE UKRAINIANS FROM DEFENDING THEMSELVES.

TRUMP ACTUALLY GAVE THEM LETHAL AID WHICH OBAMA NEVER DID.

DURING OBAMA'S NEGLIGENCE, DEMOCRATS SAID NOTHING.

TWO, TRUMP SUBPOENA NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

NO ONE IS, BUT WHY DON'T THE DEMOCRATS TELL US WHAT LAW HE BROKE.

THEY CAN'T BECAUSE HE DIDN'T BREAK ANY.

SO DEMOCRATS HAVE RESORTED TO TWO VAGUE AND SUBJECTIVE ARTICLES, ABUSE OF POWER AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

AND THREE, THE EVIDENCE IS NOT IN DISPUTE.

NO, THE EVIDENCE IS VERY MUCH IN DISPUTE.

IN FACT, FOR EVERY STATEMENTS DEMOCRATS CHERRY PICK TO INDICT TRUMP, MANY MORE STATEMENTS BACK UP THE PRESIDENT.

IN REALITY, THIS IS NOTHING BUT A PARTISAN PLOY BY DEMOCRATS TO HAVE TURN AN ELECTION.

BUT THIS CHARADE WILL FAIL AND THE SENATE WILL COMMON RATE TRUMP AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I'M PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. CASTRO, FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU.

AS ME COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, THE EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER AN OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS IS UNTESTED.

LET'S OUTLINE KEY EVENTS INVOLVING THE NEARLY $400 MILLION IN HIRLT AID HELD UP BY AND FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, DESPITE CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE.

THE SUMMER OF 2019 WAS THE NUMBER OF SHAME AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

ON JULY 3rd, THE WHITE HOUSE BLOCKS SECURITY ASSISTANCE MON FROM FOR UKRAINE WITH NO EXPLANATION.

JULY 10, GORDON SONDLAND STATES DURING A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS THAT THEY WILL GET A WHITE HOUSE MEETING ONLY AFTER ANNOUNCING AN INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL RIVAL.

ON JULY 18th, A WHITE HOUSE STAFFER ANNOUNCES THE FREEZE ON UKRAINIAN AID, PER DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ORDER.

AND JUST ONE DAY AFTER ROBERT MUELLER'S TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESS, PRESIDENT TRUMP MAKES THE NOW INFAMOUS PHONE CALL WITH ZELENSKY, ASKING HIM TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS.

THEN THINGS START TO FALL APART.

SEE, THE WHITE HOUSE LEARNS THAT A WHISTLEBLOWER HAS REPORTED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN A COMPLAINT AND, ON SEPTEMBER 9, CONGRESS STARTS TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS, AND THEN THE JIG IS UP.

ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THE AID IS SUDDENLY RELEASED, WITHOUT EXPLANATION, OVER TWO MONTHS LATER.

WHEN YOU READ THE CALL TRANSCRIPT AND FOLLOW THE TIMELINE I'VE LAID OUT, GUILTY IS GUILTY.

NOTHING CHANGED DURING THAT TIME REGARDING THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPOSED CONCERNS OVER CORRUPTION.

SO LET'S BE CLEAR -- THE MILITARY AID WAS RELEASED BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT GOT CAUGHT.

BUT GETTING CAUGHT DOESN'T GET YOU OFF THE HOOK.

AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUES, IS ATTEMPTED MURDER A CRIME?

IS ATTEMPTED ROBBERY A CRIME?

IS ATTEMPTED EXTORTION AND BRIBERY BY A PRESIDENT A CRIME?

YES, IT IS.

AND THE ONLY QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER WE WILL FIND THE MORAL COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR OUR COUNTRY AND IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALABAMA, MR. PALMER.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> I RISE IN OPPOSITION OF IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TODAY DMIRCHS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATUTES, A DAY I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD SEE.

DEMOCRATS SEEK TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION BY FORCING A VOTE THAT WILL FOREVER BE A STAIN ON THIS CONGRESS.

THEY ARE NOT JUST VOTING TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP, MY COLLEAGUES ARE VOTING TO IMPEACH THE JUDGMENT OF EVERY PERSON WHO VOTED FOR HIM AND THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE ELECT A PRESIDENT AND BY WHICH WE WILL GOVERN OUR NATION.

MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES CHANGE THE RUSSIANS INFLUENCED THE OUTCOME OF THE 2016 ELECTION, BUT BASED ON THEIR CORRUPT IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, IT APPEARS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY HOW RUSSIA CONDUCTS POLITICAL TRIALS, NO REAL EVIDENCE, NO REAL CRIME, NO DUE PROCESS AND NO JUSTICE.

THE DEMOCRATS FAILED TO KNOW "NewsHour" ANY LEGITIMATE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHEN THEY COULD NOT FIND REAL EVIDENCE, THEY MADE IT UP, CALLED IT A PARODY.

THEY CONDUCTED MOST TO HAVE THE HEARINGS IN SECRET, THEY INSTRUCTED WITNESSES NOT TO ANSWER REPUBLICAN MEMBERS' QUESTIONS AND THEY DENIED REPUBLICANS HAVE A RIGHT TO CALL WITNESSES, MAKING IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THEIR OBJECTIVE WAS FROM THE BEGINNING, PATHETICALLY POLITICAL.

WE ALL UNDERSTAND ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE, THIS DAY WILL SURELY HAVE CONSEQUENCES AS WELL, AS WE DESCEND INTO MORE DISRESPECT, DISTRUST AND EVEN CONTEMPT THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE DESTRUCTIVE OF THIS CHAMBER, AND I FEAR EVENTUALLY OUR REPUBLIC.

I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO VOTE NO ON IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

I THANK THE SPEAKER.

VERY QUICKLY, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MADE REPEATED REFERENCE TO SOME SECRET PROCEEDINGS IN SOME SECRET STAR CHAMBER.

THIS IS APPARENTLY WHAT THEY CALL DEPOSITIONS.

I REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT WHEN THEY WERE IN THE MAJORITY THEY CONDUCTED DEPOSITIONS BUT THEY WERE DIFFERENT IN THIS RESPECT, IN THE DEPOSITIONS WE CONDUCTED IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, OVER 100 MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE, THAT'S HOW SECRET THEY WERE.

WE REVEALED THE TRANSCRIPTS TO HAVE THE DEPOSITIONS.

THE REPETITION OF THIS FALSEHOOD DUDS DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE, IT ONLY MAKES THE FALSEHOOD THAT MUCH MORE DELIBERATE.

WITH THAT I AM PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THESE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I COME TO THIS FLOOR NOT AS A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN BUT AS AN AMERICAN WHOP CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, THE RULE OF LAW LAY AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.

UNDER OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, IMPEACHMENT IS NOT ABOUT POLICY DISAGREEMENTS OR INEFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE, NOR IS IT ABOUT CRIMINALITY BASED ON STATUTES THAT DID NOT EXIST THE TIME OUR CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN.

IMPEACHMENT IS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY AND ENSURING EXECUTIVE POWER IS DIRECTED TOWARD PROPER END IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.

THE CONSTITUTION GRANTS THE HOUSE THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AND THE SENATE THE SOLE POWER TO TRY ALL IMPEACHES.

WE IN THE HOUSE CHARGE IMPEACHABLE CONDUCT, HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, AS IT RELAYS TO THE MISUSE OF THE OFFICE.

WE NEED NOT TO RELY ON ANY OTHER BRANCH OR BODY TO ENDORSE OUR DETERMINATIONS.

WE HAVE THE SOLE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.

IN FEDERALIST NUMBER 65, ALEXANDER HAMILTON WROTE THAT HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS "ARE THOSE OFFENSES WHICH ARE FROM THE MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC MAN OR FROM THE ABUSE OR VIOLATION OF SOME PUBLIC TRUST, THEY ARE A NATURE MADE BE PECULIAR PROPRIETY RELATE TO INJURIES DONE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOCIETY ITSELF.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS ABUSED AND VIOLATED THE PUBLIC TRUST BY USING HIS HIGH OFFICE TO SLITS THE AID OF A FOREIGN POWER, NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BUT INSTEAD FOR HIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN.

HIS ACTIONS REFLECT PRECISELY THE TYPE OF CONDUCT THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION INTENDED TO REMEDY THROUGH THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AND IT IS OUR DUTY TO IMPEACH HIM.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

UNDIDLY HOUSE RESOLUTION 660 DOES NOT MATTER TO THE MAJORITY BECAUSE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL I.C.

STRAIN CRYPT HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED DOCUMENTSER ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND WE'RE NOT SURE WE GOT EVERYTHING WE WERE SUPPOSED TO IN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

IF YOU WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN, HOLD IT IN A SKIFF AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA.

>> THIS IMPEACHMENT CHARADE DID NOT START WITH THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT.

THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS STARTED 19 MINUTES AFTER THE PRESIDENT TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE, "THE WASHINGTON POST" PUBLISHED A HEADLINE THE CAMPAIGN TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEGUN.

DAY UNWITH, DEMOCRATIC MEMBER TO HAVE THE CLASS CALLED FOR IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT LONG BEFORE CALL OF UKRAINE.

THEN RUSSIA, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, PRIED PRIED, NONE OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLES BEFORE US TODAY.

THE FIRST ARTICLE CRAFTED AS A FICTION IS NOT ENUMERATED BAY DISIN THE CONSTITUTION FOR IMPEACHMENT.

THE D. J.

MAJORITY WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE ABUSIVE POWER IS HIGH CRIME OR MISNORTHEASTERN.

IT'S NOT.

IT'S AN OPINION.

IT'S NOT A CRIME THAT CAN BE TRIED IN A COURT OF LAW.

UNLIKE CLINTON AND NIXON TRIED FOR ACTUAL CRIMES, THIS PRESIDENT IS IMPEACHED ON VAGUE PHRASES THAT APPEAR NOWHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS ATTEMPTING TO IMPEACH A DUALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT FOR ASSERTING CONSTITUTIONALLY BASED PRICHGS ASSERTED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS BY ADMINISTRATIONINGS OF BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

THIS HOUSE IS IMPEACHING A PRESIDENT OVER A PHONE CALL TO ANOTHER WORLD WHREERD.

A FEW LINES IN A PHONE STRAIN CRYPT THAT HAVE BEEN PLEATLY AND UTTERLY REPRESENTED BY THE MAJORITY.

THE PROCESS THAT ENSUED WAS ANYTHING BUT OPEN, TRANSPARENT, BIPARTISAN OR EQUITABLE, ABANDONING ALL PAST HISTORICAL DUE PROCESS AFFORDED THE MINORITY AND THE PRESIDENT.

THE DEMOCRATS RAN A PARTISAN INVESTIGATION, REFUSING THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY, REFUSING THE ABILITY OF THE PRESIDENT'S COUNSEL TO CALL WITNESSES OR CROSS-EXAMINE FACT WITNESSES AND REFUSING A MINORITY HEARING DAY JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THE MAJORITY WAVES AROUND A REPORT DRAFTED THAT THE DEMOCRATIC STAFF CONCOCTED AS A MATTER OF FACT.

WHEN THEY NEEDED BACKUP FOR THEIR APPROACH, THEY PARADED LIBERAL PROFESSORS WITH ANIMUS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT WHO GAVE THEM LICENSE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT FOR ANY REASON THEY WISH.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING THEMSELVES KINGS IN A MANNER FAR WORSE AND MORE OBVIOUS THAN WHAT THEY ARE ACCUSING THE PRESIDENT OF DOING.

THE ONLY ABUSE OF POWER HERE IS THE DEMOCRATIC-LED CONGRESS.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

MADAM SPEAKER, I'M PROUDLY TO YIELD ONE MINUTE TO MR. CISNEROS, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

WHEN I WAS 18, I JOINED THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND TOOK THE OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I TOOK THAT OATH AGAIN EARLIER THIS YEAR AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, AND EVERY DAY I WORK HARD TO LIVE BY THE OATH AND GIVE THE 39th DISTRICT THE REPRESENTATION IT DESERVES.

I'VE MAINTAINED IMPEACHMENT IS A SERIOUS UNDERTAKING AND MUST BE DONE WITH INCREDIBLE CARE.

WHEN UNPRECEDENTED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT AND HIS INTERACTIONS WITH UKRAINE WERE FIRST REPORTED, I FELT IT WAS CONGRESS' DUTY TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND OUT THE TRUTH.

NOW THE FACTS ARE BEFORE THE CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT BETRAYED HIS OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION BY ATTEMPTING TO UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT.

HE ASKED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE A POLITICAL RIVAL AND ENDANGERED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY BY WITHHOLDING MILITARY AID TO AN ALLY.

FOR ME IT'S NOT ABOUT PERSONAL POLITICS OR PARTY AFFILIATION.

IT'S ABOUT UPPOLLEDDING MY OATH TO PUT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CONSTITUTION FIRST AND PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

THIS IS WHY VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT.

I HOPE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THIS GRAVE THREAT AND STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROMTON.

>> RECOGNIZED FOR MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, GOING BACK TO ALMOST THREE YEARS TO WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE, WE'VE SEEN SOME MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE PLEDGING AND PROMISING TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PRIOR TO THE START OF THIS INQUIRY, SPEAKER PELOSI CLAIMED THAT THE IMPEACHMENT MUST BE COMPELLING, OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN.

THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY WAS ANNOUNCED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AGO, AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN FAST, FAULTY AND FLAWED.

WHAT WE'VE WITNESSED SINCE SEPTEMBER 24th WHEN THE INQUIRY WAS ANNOUNCED IS THAT THE EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN IS NOT COMPELLING, IT'S NOT OVERWHELMING, AND THE PROCESS IS UNDOUBTEDLY AN UNQUESTIONABLY NOT BIPARTISAN.

I'M VIEWING THIS THROUGH THE LENS OF A FORMER UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, AND AS WE TAKE THIS VOTE, HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- THERE WAS NO BRIBERY, THERE WAS NO EXTORTION, THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO, THERE WERE NO HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS COMMITTED BY THE PRESIDENT.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

MADAM SPEAKER, I NOW RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA MS. CHU FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> RECOGNIZE FORD ONE MINUTE.

MADAM SPEAKER WE KNOW PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

WE KNOW THAT HE USED IT TO DEMAND UKRAINE INTERFERE IN THE 2020 ELECTION FOR HIS OWN BENEFIT, AND WE KNOW THAT UKRAINE KNEW.

NONE OF THESE FACTS HAVE BEEN DISPUTED.

INSTEAD, THE WHITE HOUSE HAS TRIED TO HIDE THE TRUTH.

BUT THE PRESIDENT IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

NOBODY IS.

CORRUPTION AND OBSTRUCTION.

THE PRESIDENT IS GUILTY OF BOTH.

THE BLATANT ABUSE OF POWER WAS MADE CLEAR FROM OVER 100 HOURS OF TESTIMONY BEFORE THREE COMMITTEES AND WAS CLEAR IN THE CALL SUMMARY RELEASED BY THE WHITE HOUSE THE OBSTRUCTION HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR BY THE PRESIDENT'S REFUSAL TO COOPERATE AT EVERY TURN, EVEN WHEN ORDERED BY A COURT.

SETTING A PRECEDENT THAT ANY PRESIDENT CAN ABUSE THEIR POWER TO INTERFERE IN OUR ELECTIONS IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT'S ALSO A BETRAYAL OF THE OATH OF OFFICE AND THE CONSTITUTION.

THEREFORE, IN FULFILLMENT OF MY OWN OATH OF OFFICE, IT'S WITH SOLEMN PURPOSE TODAY THAT I VOTE TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

DOCUMENTS STARTED WITH QUID PRO QUO, THAT DIDN'T WORK SO WELL, THEN BRIBERY, EXTORTION.

THEN THEY BROUGHT THEIR WITNESSES IN AND NOT ONE CAN ANSWER IF THEY SAW ANY EVIDENCE OF BRIBERY, EXTORTION OR ANY CRIME WHEN QUESTIONED.

IT WAS JUST SILENCE.

THEN THE WITNESSES ALWAYS TESTIFIED THEY HEARD THIS AND HEARD SO AND SO, AND SO AND SO.

WHEN THE DEMOCRATS BROUGHT THEIR STAR WITNESS IN AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, WHEN ASKED, HE SAID, I PRESUME THE AID WAS HELD UP.

I PRESUMED?

TESTIMONY WAS ALL HEARSAY, CONJECTURE AND ASSUMPTIONS.

SO NOW IT'S ABUSE OF POWER WITH NO UNDERLYING CRIME, WHICH IS OPINION.

ABUSE OF POWER TO THE DEMOCRATS IS THEY DON'T LIKE HIS POLICIES OR HE TREATED A REPORTER HARSHLY.

OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

THERE ARE THREE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

WHEN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HAVE AN IMPASSE THAT'S WHEN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH INTERVENES.

THEY DIDN'T TO THAT.

THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T SEEK THAT ROUTE.

EVERY PRESIDENT INCLUDING GEORGE WASHINGTON COULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED BASED ON THESE FACTLESS ARTICLES.

THERE IS NO CRIME, THERE IS NO VICTIM AS UKRAINE RECEIVED THEIR AID BEFORE THE SEPTEMB SEPTEMBER 30th DEADLINE AND NO WITNESSES THAT WITNESSED ANYTHING.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW.

IT'S POLITICS, AND IT'S WORSE.

IT'S DISGRACEFUL.

IT'S TIME THEN TO CHARADE AND SCAM ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I URGE TO VOTE NO ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

MADAM SPARKS HAPPY TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES OF AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S TESTIMONY.

HE POSED THE QUESTION WAS THERE A QUID PRO QUO.

THE ANSWER IS YES.

WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT A QUID PRO QUO INVOLVING THE MILITARY AID, HE SAID IT WAS CLEAR AS TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.

I'M PLEASED TO QUELLED ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM ILLINOIS.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> IT IS MY ADULT SON IAN WHOM I WILL ALWAYS CREDITED FOR MY DECISION LAST JUNE TO SUPPORT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

IT HAD NEVER BEEN MY GOAL TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT, BUT IAN MADE SUCH A COMPELLING CASE.

HE REMINDED ME OF THE OATH I HAVE TAKEN ELEVEN TIMES NOW TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION TO HAVE THE UNITED STATES.

HE SAID, MOM, THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS, THIS IS NOT ABOUT PARTY, AND PUSHER BACK AGAINST MY ARGUMENTS, HE SAID, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FINAL OUTCOME.

IT'S ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT THING, EVEN IF OTHERS DON'T.

HE MADE ME SEE THAT IT WAS ABOUT MY LEGACY, MY MODEST PLACE IN HISTORY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, MY SON, FOR HELPING ME DO THE RIGHT THING TODAY, TO VOTE TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE NO AMERICAN IS ABOVE THE LAW, AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA MR. SONDLAND SAID HE HAD NO DIRECT EVIDENCE, HE PRESUMED WHAT WAS GOING ON.

BACK TO PRESUMPTION AGAIN.

BACK TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> RECOGNIZED.

MADAM SPEAKER, MARCH 11 OF THIS YEAR THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAID THE FOLLOWING IN AN INTERVIEW IN "THE WASHINGTON POST," IMPEACHMENT IS SO DIVISIVE TO THE COUNTRY COUNTRY THAT UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING SO COMPELLING AND OVERWHELMING AND BIPARTISAN I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO DOWN THAT PATH BECAUSE IT DIVIDES THE COUNTRY, UNQUOTE.

I THINK MOST AMERICANS WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT BECAUSE IT SOUNDS THOUGHTFUL AND REASONABLE.

SO HERE WE ARE TODAY TO VOTE ON THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

HOW DID THE MAJORITY PARTY DO ON MEETING THE OBJECTIVES SET FORTH BY THE SPEAKER IN HERE ARE THE ANSWERS -- FIRST, THE ONLY COMPELLING AT BEAUTY ABOUT THIS SHAM IS THE LENGTHS THE MAJORITY HAS GONE TO APPEASE THE RADICAL SOCIALIST WING OF THE PARTY.

SECOND, THE ONLY OVERWHELMING FEATURE ABOUT THIS SHAM IS THE ABUSE OF POWER BY THE MAJORITY AND THE RECKLESS DISREGARD OF FAIRNESS BY THE MAJORITY THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND FINALLY THE ONLY BIPARTISAN ACTIVITY RELATED TO THE SHAM WILL BE THE VOTES TO THE FLIMSY ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOAN MY IN OPPOSING THE DEPLORABLE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND DEMAND THE HOUSE GET BACK TO WORKING ON THE PRIORITIES HARD WORKING FAMILIES CARE ABOUT THE MOST.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

SPEAKER PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND ONE MINUTE.

>> ONE MINUTE.

YES, MADAM SPEAKER, I SPENT 12 YEARS IN THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE INCLUDING FOUR AS A RANKING MEMBER.

MY BIPARTISAN COOPERATION WITH THE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN WAS WIDELY RECOGNIZED.

WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL SECURITY, THERE'S NO ROOM FOR BIPARTISAN POLITICS.

ALL 17 WITNESSES, MOSTLY TRUMP APPOINTEES, TOLD THE SAME STORY DURING THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITY HEARINGS, EACH TESTIFYING THAT OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JEOPARDIZED AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY FOR THE SAKE OF HIS REELECTION.

THE PRESIDENT HELD HOSTAGE MILITARY AID FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST A COMMON ENEMY, RUSSIA.

HE WILLFULLY OBSTRUCTED CONGRESS' CONSTITUTIONALLY-PRESCRIBED IMPEACHMENT POWERS.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, I RESISTED CAUSE TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, AND I RESENT THOSE WHO SAY THIS IS ABOUT REVERSING THE ELECTION.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIKE TRUMP, IT'S ABOUT UPHOLDING OUR CONSTITUTION.

ALLOWING THIS CONTACT THE GO UNQUESTIONED SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT AND PERMANENT DAMAGES OUR SYSTEMS OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS ARE CLEAR THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY.

WE MUST UPHOLD OUR OATH OF OFFICE AND SUPPORT THESE ARTICLES.

I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THESE BASELESS ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS NEVER INTENDED IMPEACHMENT TO BE A ONE-SIDED POLITICAL WEAPON.

SADLY, THE MAJORITY HAS REDUCED THIS SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION TO A PURELY PARTISAN TACTIC TO TAKE DOWN PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HISTORY WILL NOT BE KIND TO THE VOTE TODAY.

IT WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A RUSHED PROCESS THAT LACKS CREDIBILITY OR TRANSPARENCY WITH A PRE-DETERMINED OUTCOME THAT PUTS A PREMIUM ON POLITICAL THEATER INSTEAD OF FACTS.

BY ANY OBJECTIVE STANDARD, THE DEMOCRATS' IMPEACHMENT CASE IS THE THINNEST IMAGINABLE.

THERE'S NO IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE BEFORE US TODAY.

IT'S A COMPLETE AND TOTAL SHAM.

I CLOSE NOT BY QUOTING A PRESIDENT FROM THE PAST, BUT RATHER FROM THE DULY-ELECTED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

TO MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES THROUGH YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, YOU ARE THE ONES INTERFERING IN AMERICA'S ELECTION, YOU ARE THE ONES SUBVERTING AMERICA'S DEMOCRACY, YOU ARE THE ONES OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE, YOU ARE THE ONES BRINGING PAIN AND SUFFERING TO A REPUBLIC FOR YOUR OWN SELFISH PERSONAL, POLITICAL AND PARTISAN GPARTISAN GAIN.

THESE ARE HARD WORDS, I KNOW, BUT THAT IS THE SAD REALITY OF THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.

I WILL PROUDLY VOTE NO, TODAY, A VOTE THAT UPHOLDS OUR CONSTITUTION, DEFENDS OUR PRESIDENT AND PRESERVES THE PILLARS OF OUR NATION'S DEMOCRACY.

AND NOW I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

MADAM SPEAKER, I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> GENTLEMAN'S RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHMENT TODAY.

THE FACTS ARE IRREFUTABLE AND THE ONGOING OBSTRUCTION AND COVERUP IS SHAMEFUL.

MY PARENTS CAME HERE AS IMMIGRANTS AND I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN A NATION THAT REWARDED THEIR HARD WORK BY PROVIDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR MY SISTERS AND I, AND AS A FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN AND NOW A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, A STORY LIKE MINE IS ONLY MADE POSSIBLE BY A NATION THAT UPHOLDS THE RULE OF LAW AND TRULY LIVES OUT THE VALUES ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION.

MONA AND ARE BLESSED WITH THREE WONDERFUL DAUGHTERS AND FIVE GRANDKIDS.

BECAUSE OF THIS LIVING LEGACY AND THE LEGACY I INTEND TO PASS TO MY GRANDCHILDREN, MY VOTE IS ROOTED IN PROTECTING THEIR FUTURE.

THE UNDERPINNINGS FOR IMPEACHMENT ARE REAL AND HISTORIC.

TRUMP HAS PERVERTED THE RULE OF LAW, ABUSED HIS POWER AND ENGAGED IN A COVERUP.

NO AMOUNT OF MISDIRECTION, LIES, DISINFORMATION, TANTRUMS, CRIES AND DISINFORMATION BY TRUMP AND OTHERS CAN UNDO THE ABUSE OF POWER AND THE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS THAT REMAIN CLEAR AND PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT LEAVES US NO CHOICE BUT TO VOTE TO IMPEACH TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY AND CORRECT THE DAMAGE DONE.

I VOTE IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD J. TRUMP NOT AS A PARTISAN ACT BUT AS A SERIOUS, URGENT AND NECESSARY ONE.

AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.

>> GENTLEMAN RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> 21 YEARS AGO, THIS WEEK, I SPOKE HERE ON IMPEACHMENT.

IN THIS, SADLY, HISTORY WILL NOT TREAT DEMOCRATS WELL.

THEY WILL BE REVER REMEMBERED AS THE SENATOR JOE McCARTHYS OF OUR TIME, SO BLINDED BY THEIR HATRED OF PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT THEY ABANDONED AMERICAN RIGHTS OF DUE PROCESS AND FAIRNESS AND JUST DECENCY, REMINISCENT OF JOE McCARTHY, THEY ASSAULTED THE CONSTITUTION, TOOK GLEE IN SECRET HEARINGS, BLOCKED EVIDENCE AND SWITCHED CHARGES LIKE ROGUE PROSECUTORS.

ULTIMATELY, THEY CHOSE ABUSE OF POWER BECAUSE THEY PRACTICE IT SO WELL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP COMMITTED NO CRIME OR IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE, NONE.

HIS LEGACY WON'T BE STAINED, DEMOCRATS WILL.

WE'LL LOOK BACK AT THESE DAYS IN SHAME BECAUSE TRUMP HATERS IN CONGRESS, LIKE RED HATERS OF THE PAST, ARE WILLING TO PLUNGE AMERICA INTO DARKNESS FOR RAW POLITICAL GAIN.

THIS IMPEACHMENT BETRAYS THE NATION, THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I VOTE NO.

>> GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.

GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS MR. DOGGETT FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> TYRANNY RARELY APPEARS FULL BORN.

IT ARISES, IT ENCROACHES AS FREEDOM EBBS.

OUR NATION'S GREAT FOUNDERS SOUGHT TO PROTECT US FROM TYRANNY WITH A CAREFULLY-CRAFTED SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

BUT NOW ALONG COMES A PRESIDENT WHO ACTUALLY SAYS HE'S CONSTITUTIONALLY EMPOWERED TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS, THAT HE CAN EITHER BE PROSECUTED NOR EVEN INVESTIGATED FOR ANY CRIME AND THAT HE CAN TOTALLY IGNORE ANY IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING OF WHICH HETIES APPROVES.

THESE -- OF WHICH HE DISAPPROVES.

THESE ARE THE CLAIMS OF A WANNA BE TYRANT WHO HAS EX TOLD THE VIRTUES OF TYRANTS AND AUTOCRATS FROM MANILA TO MOSCOW.

TO ADVANCE TYRANNY HE ADOPGHTS AN OPEN BORDER POLICY INVITING REIGN COUNTRIES TO COME IN AND INTRUDE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

FOREIGN NATIONS -- AMERICAN CITIZENS SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONES DETERMINING THE FATE OF AMERICA.

IF THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES DEMANDING MORE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE, WE WILL NEVER HAVE TRULY FREE ELECTIONS AND WE WILL NOT BE FREE.

WE AC TODAY RECOGNIZING THE SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO SAFEGUARD OR SECURITY AND CONSTITUTION.

WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND THE REPUBLICAN FOR WHICH IT STANDS, NOT TO ONE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

BEFORE I CALL MY NEXT SPEAKER, COULD EGET A TIME CHECK FROM THE SPEAKER?

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA HAS ONE HOUR, THREE AND A QUARTER MINUTES REMAINING.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA HAS 57 AND A QUARTER MINUTES REMAINING.

>> THAT WAS ONE HOUR AND -- REE AND A QUARTER MINUTES.

.

ONE HOUR AND THREE AND A QUARTER MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I COULDN'T HEAR, I APOLOGIZE.

I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM -- ONE MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. ALLEN.

>> GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND FROM GEORGIA AND YOUR GREAT WORK IN DEALING WITH THIS VERY SATURDAY IN OUR COUNTRY.

TODAY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, A PRESIDENT WILL BE IMPEACHED.

THIS TIME WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT MERIT.

THIS IS NOT BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GUILTY OF A HIGH CRIME OF MISDEMEANOR, BUT BECAUSE ONE MITTICLE PARTY DOES NOT LIKE HIM OR HIS POLICIES OF AMERICA FIRST.

THE FACTS ARE WE HAVE A DIVIDED GORNMENT AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE AT WAR WITH EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

FACT TWO, THEY HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR THIS DAY SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE.

FACT THREE, THEY ACCUSE THE PRESIDENT FIRSTER AND HAVE SPENT MONTHS LOOKING FOR A CRIME.

FACT FOUR, BUT NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRESENTED OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

IN ONE TO HAVE THE PARTISAN MEETINGS, THE PARTY WAS ASKED HE CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY AND TEAR APART THE FABRIC THAT HOLDS OUR COUNTRY TOGETHER SO I WILL VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT AND I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM GENTLEMAN.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> TWO MINUTES?

>> TWO MINUTES.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT UKRAINE.

IT IS ABOUT POWER.

DONALD TRUMP HAS IT AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS WANT IT.

AND SO WITH NO CRIME, NO VICTIM, NO EVIDENCE, NO PROOF, NO AGENDA FOR AMERICA THIS IMPEACHMENT CHARADE MARCHES ON, FOLLOWING NO RULES IN ADHERING TO NO SENSE OF HONOR.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AREN'T FOOLED BY DIRTY TRICKS, VOTERS WILL NEVER FORGET THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED INTO IMPEACHING THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE HIM AND THEY DON'T LIKE US.

THOSE WHO VOTE YES ON TODAY'S ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT MUST CARRY THE HEAVY BURDEN OF SHAME AND GUILT FOR AS LONG AS THEY SERVE IN CONGRESS, WHICH WON'T BE LONG BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER.

DEMOCRATS WOULD RATHER TRIP THE PRESIDENT JUST TO SEE HIM STUMBLE THAN SEE AMERICA SUCCEED.

THEY WOULD RATHER IMFEATURE PRESIDENT THAN WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CITIZENS.

DEMOCRATS MAY HAVE WON THE HOUSE IN 2018 BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOR GIVEN DONALD TRUMP FOR HAVING THE AUDACITY TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY.

AND THEY HAVEN'T FOR GIVEN YOU, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, FOR VOTING FOR HIM.

THE DAY BEFORE SHE WAS SWORN INTO CONGRESS ONE MEMBER OF THE BODY SAID SHE PROMISED TO IMPEACH THE MOTHER FER SHE IS NOT ALONE TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT WAS PLOTTED AND PLANNED BEFORE THE INK WAS EVEN DRY ON HIS ELECTION CERTIFICATE AND POSSIBLY BEFORE DEMOCRATS COULD POINT TO UKRAINE ON THE MAP.

ON SEEKING THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK SAID HE WAS THE STRONGEST MEMBER TO LEAD A POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT, DEMOCRATS MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN WHY THEY WERE GOING TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT BUT THEY KNEW IT WAS AN INEVITABILITY, FACTS BE DAMNED.

THIS IMPEACHMENT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO VOTED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE SAME AMERICANS THAT DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON HAVE MOCKED AS SMELLY WAL-MART SHOPPERS AND DEPLORABLES, THIS IMPEACHMENT ISN'T LEGITIMATE, IT IS THE RADICAL LET'S INSURANCE POLICY, BUT WE HAVE AN INSURANCE POLICY TOO, IT IS THE NEXT ELECTION AND WE INTEND TO WIN IT.

I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM VERMONT, MR. WELCH FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO-MINUTE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, WE THE SPEAK HAVE A COMMON TIE THAT BINDS US TOGETHER, NOW AS IT HAS SINCE THE FOUNDING OF OUR COUNTRY.

IT IS OUR SHARED RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

LET US ALL STEP BACK FROM THE MAELSTROM FROM THE MOMENT TO RECALL THAT OUR COUNTRY'S INCEPTION 243 243 YEARS AGO, THE CONCEPT OF A DEMOCRATIC SELF GOVERNING RULE WAS A BREATHTAKING AND IDEALISTIC ASPIRATION AND WHEN THE 13 AMERICAN COLONIES BOLDLY REJECTED THE RULE OF A BRITISH MONARCH, OUR FOUNDERS WERE DETERMINED TO FORM A GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD RULE INSTEAD WITH THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.

ENSURING THAT THIS NOBLE EXPERIMENT ENDURED THROUGH THE AGES WAS AN ENORMOUS EXISTENTIAL CHALLENGE.

IT WAS MET WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION IN 1788.

AND AT ITS HEART ARE TWO BEDROCK PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE SERVED AS TOUCHSTONES FOR OUR COUNTRY EVER SINCE, FIRST, IT ESTABLISHED AMERICA AS A NATION OF LAWS WHERE NO PERSON IS ABOVE THE LAW.

SECOND, IT ESTABLISHED THE CONCEPT OF A SEPARATION OF POWERS WHERE THREE COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WOULD CHECK EACH OTHER.

LESS POWER BE CONCENTRATED IN ONE AT THE EXPENSE OF LIBERTY TO ALL.

MR. -- MADAM SPEAKER, WHEN PRESIDENT ABUSED THE POWER OF -- OF HIS OFFICE BY SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION FOR HIS PERSONAL BENEFIT HE WILLFULLY INFRINGED UPON THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO DECIDE WHO WILL LEAD OUR NATION AND IN DOING SO HE PLACED HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW AND IN VIOLATION OF HIS OATH.

AND WHEN HE DENOUNCED, DENIED AND DEFIED CLEAR AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE HIS CONDUCT HE REPUDIATED OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SEASONAL OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AND FURTHER VIOLATED HIS OATH TO PRESERVE, PROTECT A AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND IT IS FOR THESE REASONSLY CAST MY VOTE IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHING PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

I YIELD BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD TWO MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA, MR. BIGGS.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RIDESSED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

CHAIR, SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AREA SAYS WHERE ARE THE FACT AS IF WE HAVE THE BURDEN OF THE BURDEN OS YOUR BURDEN OF PROOF, MADAM SPEAKER, IT IS THE DEMOCRATS' BURDEN OF PROOF BUT THE FACTS ARE UNCHANGED, THE UKRAINE RECEIVED AID THAT THEY WERE PROMISED AND APPROPRIATED FOR.

THE AID WAS THE LAWFULLY DISPERSED, IN FACT IT WAS DISBURSED WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS SET BY THIS CONGRESS.

IF YOU WANTED IT SET -- SENT TO THEM BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT THAT IN THE LEGISLATION, YOU DID NOT.

UKRAINIANS GAVE NOTHING IN RETURN.

UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT SAID HE FELT NO PRESSURE, NO COERCION, NO DURESS, NO CONDITIONALITY.

BUT WHAT CHANGED ON THE DAY THAT THE AID WAS RELEASED?

TWO ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES WERE SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, DEMOCRATS HAVE MANUFACTURED THIS SHAM AND ARGUED THAT REFUSING TO COOPERATE IS IMPEACHABLE.

THE SUPREME COURT IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING THE EXTENT OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE WHEN FIGHTING DUBIOUS SUBPOENAS.

BUT INSTEAD OF TAKING THEIR PROCESS TO COURT OR WAITING FOR THE COURT TO RULE ON THE PENDING CASE THE DEMOCRATS CHOSE TO PRESS FORWARD BECAUSE THEY SAID WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME THEY SAY.

BUT FAILING TO DO SO IS AN ABUSE OF POWER OF THIS INSTITUTION THAT WILL HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR REPUBLIC.

AND WHEN THE OTHER SIDE CLAIMS THEY PROCEED WITH SOBERNESS I AM BEMUSED BY OWED REPORTS THAT INDICATE THEY HAVE BEEN ADMONISHED NOT DO A JIG TODAY WHEN THEY WIN THE VOTE WHICH WE KNOW THEY WILL.

I AM STRUCK THAT SOLEMNITY OF PROCESS SHOULD NEED TO HAVE BEEN AN ADMONITION AGAINST LEVITY.

>> THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN PARTISAN, VINDICTIVE, DISHONEST, AND THIS IMPEACHMENT DEMOCRATS HAVE LIED ABOUT THE JULY 25TH CALL, MET SECRETLY WITH THE WHISTLEBLOWER, SOCIETY SOVIET STYLE HEARINGS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WHERE MEMBERS OF THE JURISDICTION COULD NOT TEANTD.

>> LIKE THE INQUISITION IT HAS BEEN A SHAM FROM START TO FINISH AND I YIELD BACK.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RECOGNIZE MR. SCOTT FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST.

>> CHAIRMAN IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO EXTEND REMARKS IN BOTH, IN FAVOR OF BOTH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I RECOGNIZE MR. CARSON, THE COCONGRESSMAN FROM INDIANA FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN AND THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER.

YOU KNOW, MADAM SPEAKER, AS WE CONTINUE AND CONSIDER THIS HISTORIC IMPEACHMENT VOTE, LET'S BE CLEAR, THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZE NOT ONLY AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY BUT THE SECURITY OF OUR CLOSEST ALLIES.

HIS ACTIONS THREATEN THE GOALS OF THE U.S.

LED NATO ALLIANCE.

YOU SEE, UKRAINE IS A NATION WORKING HARD TO MAKE ITS DEMOCRACY STRONGER.

AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, UKRAINE IS ON THE FRONT LINES OF RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

THANKFULLY, U.S. MILITARY AID HELPS UKRAINE DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIA AND INTEGRATE ITSELF INTO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.

WHEN OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE STRONGER, AMERICA IS STRONGER.

WE ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND PUT A STOP TO TYRANNY.

BUT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, STRENGTHENING THIS VALUABLE NATIONAL SECURITY OBJECTIVE, MADAM SPEAKER, WAS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS SMEARING A POLITICAL RIVAL.

MADAM SPEAKER, WE KNOW THAT HE HELD NEARLY $400 MILLION OF AID TO UKRAINE UNTIL PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AGREED TO HELP HIM DIG UP DIRT ON HIS POTENTIAL 2020 OPPONENT.

THIS AID WAS APPROVED BY CONGRESS WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS HURT AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF OUR NATION'S PROMISES TO OUR ALLIES.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW OUR LEADERS TO TRADE AWAY OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

WE CANNOT ALLOW RUSSIA'S CONTINUED THREATS TO DEMOCRACY GO UNANSWERED.

AND WE MUST NOT ALLOW OUR OWN PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES TO GET AWAY WITH BREAKING HIS OWN OATH OF OFFICE.

MADAM SPEAKER, THAT IS WHY WE TAKE THIS SOLEMN, NECESSARY VOTE TO IMPEACH.

THANK YOU, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER I YIELD A MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR A MINUTE AND A HALF.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY, ONE THAT OUR FOREFATHERS WARNED US AGAINST.

WE HAVE WATCHED THIS IMPEACHMENT MOVE FORWARD WHILE MAKING A MOCKERY OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHO CONDUCTED THE MOST POLARIZING IMPEACHMENT PROCESS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY AND THE MEN AND WOMEN I REPRESENT ARE TIRED OF THIS DEMOCRAT RUN HOUSE PUTTING POLITICAL GAINS ABOVE OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HELD SECRET MEETINGS WITHHELD IMPORTANT -- MISREPRESENTED INFORMATION AND THIS INVESTIGATION WAS UNFAIR AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EXPECT MORE OUT OF CONGRESS.

>> THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ARE NOT BASED ON FACTS BUT INSTEAD ARE ENTIRELY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

THE TRUTH IS THERE WAS NO PRESSURE PUT ON PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND THE TRANSCRIPTS CONFIRM THAT THERE WAS NO CONDITIONALITY.

THIS INQUIRY HAS BEEN RIGGED FROM THE START LACKING FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND TRUTH.

IT HAS BEEN A WASTE OF TAXPAYER'S DOLLARS AND BASED OFF THE OPINION OF AN UNNAMED WHISTLEBLOWER AND HEARSAY.

THE ACCUSATIONS IN TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS DO NOT ALIGN WITH THE FACTS.

THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS IS OUT OF STEP WITH EXISTING PRECEDENT FOR PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AND IS NOT A PROCESS I WILL SUPPORT.

I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PUT COUNTRY FIRST AND VOTE IN OPPOSITION TO THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS.

THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> I A THANK THE GENTLEMAN IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, CHAIRMAN MALONEY IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK IS RECOGNIZED.

>> GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAIN AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS IS UNPRECEDENTED, INDISPUTABLE AND IMPEACHABLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY TO OPENLY AND COMPLETELY DEAT A ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO COVER UP HIS ABUSE OF POWER, HE ORDERED THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INQUIRY AND DIRECTED IT TO DEFY LAWFUL SUBPOENAS FROM CONGRESS.

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM, I FIND THIS OBSTRUCTION PARTICULARLY OFFENSIVE, EVEN, EVEN PRESIDENT NIXON ACCEPTED CONGRESS'S IMPEACHMENT AUTHORITY AND ALLOWED HIS AIDES AND ADVISORS TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS TO CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT NIXON ALLOWED CURRENT AND FORMER STAFF TO TESTIFY IN BOTH THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT AND THE SENATE WATERGATE INVESTIGATIONS.

INCLUDING HIS CHIEF OF STAFF AND WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL.

BY CONTRAST, PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHOUT ANY LEGAL BASIS DIRECTED CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICIOUS NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE HOUSE'S INQUIRY WHICH RESULTED IN NINE OF NINE ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS DEFYING SUBPOENAS FOR TESTIMONY AND IN RESPONSE TO THE HOUSE'S INQUIRY PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO TURN OVER EVEN ONE SINGLE, NOT ONE SINGLE DOCUMENT TO CONGRESS IN RESPONSE TO LAWFUL SUBPOENAS.

PUT SIMPLY, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS ARE EVEN WORSE THAN NIXON'S, LET ME REPET.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS ARE EVEN WORSE THAN NIXON'S.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS ESTABLISHED A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT SPREAD OUT POWER BETWEEN THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

THEY DECIDED THAT NO ONE WOULD BE A KING, THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT, AND THEY GAVE THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT SOLELY TO THE HOUSE.

WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP DEFIES OUR SUBPOENAS AND OBSTRUCTS OUR IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, HE SEEKS TO PLACE HIMSELF ABOVE THE CONSTITUTION AND ABOVE THE LAW.

WE CANNOT LET THAT STAND.

AND IF WE DO, THEN THAT IS THE END OF CONGRESS AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

AND WE HAVE ALLOWED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO ELEVATE HIMSELF ABOVE THE LAW.

IT IS OUR SOLEMN DUTY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HIS BLATANT ABUSE OF POWER AND HIS OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

I YIELD BACK.

>> THE GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK YIELDS, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RISED.

>> I YIELD ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS.

>> I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FORGIVING ME THIS MOMENT.

MADAM OUR MR. SPEAKER YEARS FROM NOW, HISTORY BOOKS WILL TELL OF THIS DAY.

IT WILL TELL OF A PURELY PARTISAN EFFORT TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND NOT BUILT ON A HIGH CRIME ON MISS MORE, NOT IN A PROCESS IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGH AMERICAN STANDARD OF DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL TREATMENT.

THIS EFFORT IS ROOTED ONLY IN THE GOVERNING PARTY'S HATRED OF A MAN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE BEEN IN PURSUIT OF THIS MOMENT SINCE 2016.

THEY ARE CONSUMED BY IT.

EARLIER IN THIS DEBATE ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES REFERRED TO OUR PRESIDENT AS A DOMESTIC ENEMY.

OUR FOUNDERS WARNED US ABOUT THIS DAY, THAT IS WHY OUR NATION HAS ENTRUSTED THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY WITH THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS, NOT WILL OF A PARTY FILLED WITH CONTEMPT FOR A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

MY HOPE IS THAT WHEN THE HISTORIANS WRITE ABOUT THIS DAY IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONTEXT OF A NATION THAT LOST ITS WAY BECAUSE ITS ELECTED MEMBERS CHOSE HATEFUL PARTISANSHIP OVER THE SACRED OATH THAT HAS PROTECTED THE GREAT REPUBLIC SINCE ITS FOUNDING AND I YIELD BACK.

THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RESERVES, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I AM FREUD RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, IN AMERICA WHEN WE CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR ENROLL OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL WE DO ON THE EXPECT A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TO SAY TO US, I NEED YOU TO DO US A FAVOR, THOUGH.

WHY WOULD WE TOLERATE A PRESIDENT USING HIS AWESOME POWER TO MAKE FOREIGN POLICY WHEN THE SAFETY OF OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE, NOT FOR THE PEOPLE BUT FOR HIMSELF.

I WILL VOTE TO IMPEACH TODAY BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP DID JUST THAT WHEN HE, WHEN HE SHOOK DOWN A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO CRIMINALLY INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL RIVAL.

IF WE PAIL TO SAY THAT THIS WAS WRONG, THEN ANY PRESIDENT WILL BE FREE TO ASK A FOREIGN POWER, BE IT RUSSIA, CHINA OR IRAN, TO HELP HIM HURT HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES AT HOME.

AND EVERY FOREIGN TIE RAPT AND KLEPTO ACCURATE WILL KNOW THAT AMERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY .. CAN BE BOUGHT BY DOING OUR PRESIDENT A POLITICAL FAVOR.

IF YOU BELIEVE .. THAT OUR HIGHEST DUTY IS TO PROTECT AMERICA, THEN SEARCH YOUR CONSCIENCE AND ASK, DO YOU WANT OUR FUTURE PRESIDENTS TO BEHAVE AS THIS ONE HAS DONE?

DO NOT WHISPER IN THE SHADOWS OF CAPITOL YOU DISAPPROVE AND THEN DEFEND THAT CONDUCT HERE TODAY.

DO YOUR DUTY, KEEP YOUR OATH, DEFEND YOUR COUNTRY -- >> THE GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES, GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

AT THIS TIME I YELLED ONE MINUTE TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. WILSON.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

INSPECTOR.

OVER A MONTH AGO ON NOVEMBER THE 14TH, I SPOKE ON THE IMPEACHMENT HOAX WITH POINTS TRUE THEN AND STILL TRUE TODAY.

AFTER OVER A MONTH OF SECRET INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ADMINISTRATION, DEMOCRATS HAVE NOW DECIDED TO OPEN THESE CONTROLLED HEARINGS TO THE PUBLIC.

THIS 0 CONTINUES THE DECEPTION BY DEMOCRATS TO MISLEAD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IT IS INSULTING.

NO REPUBLICAN WITNESS, THERE IS NO COUNSEL BY THE PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE AND FULL EXONERATION BY COURAGEOUS PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY OF UKRAINE, IT IS SAID INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON FUNDING OUR MILITARY THROUGH THE DEFENSE NATURALIZATION ACT JUST PASSED LAST WEEK OR PASS THE UNITED STATES BASIC, MEXICO CANADA AGREEMENT TO MAKE JOBS IS DEMOCRATS WASTED $30 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY ON THE RUSSIAN HOAX NOW PROCEEDING WITH THE UKRAINIAN HOAX, THIS PARTISAN WITCH-HUNT DIVERTS ATTENTION FROM THE PRESIDENT'S SECTIONS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS A RECORD LOW AND RECORD JOB CREATION AND THE STOCK MARKET AGAIN TODAY IS THRIVING, SHOWING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

IN CONCLUSION, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 11 AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.

>> GENTLEMAN RESERVES, GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I AM FREUD RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. GOMEZ FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. SPEAKER, WE ARE HERE AT THIS MOMENT IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT ABUSED THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE.

BRIBED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INTRUDE INTO OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND ENGAGE IN UNPRECEDENTED CAMPAIGN OF OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS TO COVER IT UP.

OUR CREDIBILITY IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.

OUR CHARACTER AND MOTIVATIONS ARE QUESTIONED.

WE KNOW WHERE THE PRESIDENT'S TRUE LOYALTIES LIE, NOT WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS, NOT WITH OUR ALLIES, BUT WITH OUR ADVERSARIES AND HIMSELF.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONCE SAID, NEAR I ALL MEN CAN STAND ADVERSITY BUT IF YOU WANT TO TEST A MAN'S CHARACTER GIVE HIM POWER.

DONALD TRUMP HAS FAILED THIS TEST AND NOW OUR TEST IS WHETHER WE WILL BE A CHECK ON THAT POWER.

THEREFORE WE MUST HOLD ANYONE TO ACCOUNT REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR POLITICS WHO SET FIRE TO THE VERY INSTITUTIONS THAT DEFINE OUR NATION AND OUR VALUES.

AND WITH THIS THIS MIND, THIS IN MINDLY VOTE YES TO IMPEACH DONALD J TRUMP.

I YELLED BACK.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA YIELDS, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES, THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA IS RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER, I YAO AD MINUTE AND A HALF TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

>> THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE PROCESS AND TO THE RESOLUTION, WHEN CONGRESS SEES FIT TO EXAMINE ITS SOLEMN POWER OF IMPEACHMENT AND I IMPERATIVE IT DOES SO IN VENUE WINE, GENUINE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE, FAIRLY, TRANSPARENTLY AND OBJECTIVELY.

ANYTHING LESS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THIS PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT HAS FALLEN FAR SHORT OF THAT.

SADLY, ALEXANDER HAMILTON'S PREDICTION IN FEDERALIST NUMBER 65 65 HAS COME TRUE, WHEN HE WARPED THAT IN MANY CASES IT WILL CONNECT ITSELF WITH THE PREEXISTING FACTIONS AND WILL ENLIST ALL OF THEIR ANIMOSITIES, PARTIALITIES, INFLUENCE AND INTEREST ON ONE SIDE OR ON THE OTHER AND IN SUCH CASES THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE GREATEST DANGER THAT THE DECISION WILL BE REGULATED MORE BY THE COMPARATIVE STRENGTH OF PARTIES THAN BY THE REAL DEMONSTRATIONS OF INNOCENCE OR GUILT.

AFTER YEARS OF INVESTIGATION HEARINGS AND MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS DEMOCRATS FOUND NO PROOF THAT THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED A CRIME, NO PROOF THAT THE VAGUE ACCUSATIONS IN THESE ARTICLES CLEARLY REFLECT A BASIC PREREQUISITE FOR IMPEACHMENT, IMPEACHING FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANOR IT IS A CHARGE THAT AN ACTUAL CRIME WAS COMMITTED THESE EMPTY BASELESS ARTICLES EXPOSE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT THIS IS, A DESPERATE PARTISAN ATTEMPT TO AVENGE THE LOSS OF THE DEMOCRATS PREFERRED CANDIDATE IN 2016, WE MUST RESPECT AMERICAN VOTERS AND RESPECT, REJECT THESE ARTICLES.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA RESERVES, GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.

>> THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER, JUST A QUICK FACT CHECK BEFORE THE I YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, THEY CLAIM THAT NO REPUBLICAN WITH WITNESSES WERE ALLOWED TO TESTIFY.

THAT IS OF COURSE NOT CORRECT.

IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN REQUESTED WITNESSES TESTIFIED, THAT IS ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR OF THE WITNESSES WERE REPUBLICAN REQUESTED WITNESSES.

THAT THEY INCRIMINATED THE PRESIDENT DID NOT MAKE THEM ANY LESS REQUESTED BY THE MINORITY.

I AM NOW PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, MR. KEATING FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> THE GENTLEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS IS RECOGNIZED.