Trump Impeachment Bill to Reach Senate as Early as the 22nd

McConnell Floor Leader "Give Time to Prepare... Let's Postpone the Vote Until February"

Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), U.S. Republican Senate Majority Leader [Image source= AP Associated Press] [Image source= Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] With the departure of former U.S. President Donald Trump, there is growing interest in when the U.S. Senate will vote on the impeachment of former President Trump. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell previously stated on the 13th (local time) that the Senate vote would take place after Trump’s departure, following the House’s impeachment vote.

According to CNN on the 21st, opinions remain divided on the timing of the Senate impeachment vote against former President Trump. CNN cited two officials saying the House may send the impeachment articles to the Senate as early as the 22nd. The House passed the impeachment resolution on the 13th with 232 votes in favor and 197 against. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she could send the impeachment articles to the Senate at any time if the Senate wishes.

However, CNN also reported that Leader McConnell prefers to hold the impeachment vote in February. According to several Republican senators, McConnell expressed during a phone meeting on the 21st that the Senate vote should be postponed until February. This is to allow former President Trump and his legal team about two weeks to prepare for the impeachment trial.

This position differs somewhat from McConnell’s stance on the 20th, when he hinted support for Trump’s impeachment. At that time, McConnell stated that former President Trump had incited the rioters who stormed Congress, which was interpreted as a pro-impeachment remark.

Meanwhile, there are also divided opinions within the Democratic Party regarding the immediate Senate impeachment process. Some argue that Congress should prioritize confirming President Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees to empower the president. The uncertainty of securing a Senate conviction is also a concern for the Democrats. Unlike the House, where a simple majority decides impeachment, the Senate requires a two-thirds majority (67 votes) of all members to convict.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.