Murkowski, Collins say they won't co-sponsor Graham's impeachment resolution
Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution McConnell blasts impeachment inquiry as ‘kangaroo court’ in fundraising pitch Romney, Collins, Murkowski only Senate GOP holdouts on Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves MORE (R-Maine) said on Monday that they will not sign onto a GOP resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry.
Collins and Murkowski are two of the three GOP senators who have not yet co-sponsored the resolution, which was spearheaded by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution There is no prize in Syria for the US McConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid MORE (R-S.C.).
“From the get go, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have handled this impeachment inquiry poorly, from closed-door hearings and leaked information to the outright abandonment of decades of established precedent on due process for the accused. A serious lack of transparency will hardly build public trust or credibility for the House’s actions,” Murkowski said in a statement.
But she added that, “as awful as their process is, the formal impeachment inquiry lies in the House, and it’s not the Senate’s role to dictate to the House how to determine their own rules.”
Collins separately told Politico that she doesn’t plan to co-sponsor the resolution, though she added that she hasn’t decided how she would vote if the resolution comes up on the Senate floor.
“Just as I don’t like it when House members try to tell us to abolish the filibuster, I’m not sure it’s productive for the Senate to try to dictate to the House how to conduct the inquiry,” Collins told the publication.
A spokeswoman for Collins didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about her position.
The resolution, introduced by Graham on Thursday, formally opposes the impeachment inquiry and urges House Democrats to hold an official vote on it.
It also says the House should give President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE “due process” including “the ability to confront his accusers” and that House Republicans should be able to subpoena their own witnesses.
When Graham introduced the resolution, he had 39 co-sponsors but by Friday 50 of the Senate GOP caucus’s 53 members had signed on as co-sponsors.
In addition to Collins and Murkowski, Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Trump Jr. sending copies of ‘Triggered’ book to Romney, top Democrats Romney: About half of constituents in town halls said I’m being too tough on Trump MORE (R-Utah) is the third GOP senator who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor.
Romney didn’t rule it out on Monday, but indicated that House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Pelosi calls for Congress to pass resolution supporting two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict MORE‘s decision to hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry’s procedures likely superseded Graham’s resolution.
“You know I’ve been reluctant from the beginning to get involved in the process argument between the White House and the House but now that the speaker has scheduled a vote I think that’s been overtaken by events,” Romney said, asked why he hadn’t signed onto Graham’s resolution.
It’s unclear if, or when, Graham’s resolution will come up for a vote. It was sent to the Senate Rules Committee, which is overseen by Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Washington celebrates diplomacy — and baseball — at Meridian Ball Senators concerned impeachment will consume agenda MORE (R-Mo.).
Blunt didn’t indicate on Monday if he will take it up in committee, instead telling reporters that he is waiting to see the exact language of the House resolution.
“Let’s see what she actually proposes,” Blunt said. “I read her letter and it could mean not very much, or maybe it will mean more than we’re just going to formalize the unfair way we’ve been doing things.”
The resolution cannot currently pass the Senate, where it would need 60 votes. But bringing it to the floor could allow Senate Republicans to formally show their support for Trump.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Senate rejects Paul effort to cut spending Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Ky.) didn’t respond to a question on Monday about moving Graham’s resolution.
But the GOP leader, who is co-sponsoring the measure, touted it during his Senate floor speech.
“It’s no secret that Washington Democrats have been looking for a way to remove President Trump since Inauguration Day. But that does not remove the basic requirements of fairness and due process. That’s what our resolution makes clear. I am proud to sponsor it with Chairman Graham,” he said.
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