Senators sworn in for Mayorkas impeachment proceedings: Live coverage
by The Hill staff - 04/17/24 1:55 PM ET
Senators are set for a showdown Wednesday over whether to hold a trial on the two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Democrats are expected to move to immediately dismiss the charges, while Republicans have pushed for a full trial.
The House sent the articles of impeachment to the Senate Tuesday — about two months after they passed the House is a narrow vote — and senators will be sworn in at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Follow along with live updates below:
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02:10 PMApril 17, 2024
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Schumer raises point of order objection to dismiss first impeachment article
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has raised a point-of-order objection to the first article of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Senate Republicans have responded by asking for a quorum call to give them some time to decide their next move.
If the Senate votes to sustain Schumer’s point of order against the first House-passed article of impeachment, it would effectively dismiss the first charge against Mayorkas of willfully failing to comply with the law.
Then Schumer is expected to raise another point of order against the second impeachment article charging Mayorkas with breach of public trust.
Schumer moved to immediately dismiss the first article of impeachment after Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) objected to the Democratic leader’s request for unanimous consent to consider two Republican-sponsored resolutions to hold a floor trial and to refer the impeachment to a special committee.
— Alexander Bolton
02:07 PMApril 17, 2024
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Republicans huddle on Senate floor
Republican Sens. John Thune (S.D.), Ted Cruz (Texas), John Kennedy (La.), Mike Lee (Utah), John Cornyn (Texas) and Bill Cassidy (La.), along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s (Ky.) top aide are huddling on the Senate floor as the Senate takes a vote.
— Al Weaver
02:00 PMApril 17, 2024
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Senators commanded to keep silent
Senate sergeant-at-arms Karen Gibson commanded all senators to “keep silent under the pain of imprisonment” while the Senate impeachment proceedings take place on the floor.
The strict limitations on senators’ speech on the floor during an impeachment trial makes it difficult for lawmakers to delay or interrupt the action.
— Alexander Bolton
01:32 PMApril 17, 2024
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Senators sworn in as jurors
Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) swore in members of the Senate around 1:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday to serve as jurors in the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Senators stood at their desks, holding their right hands in the air as they swore to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws.”
They then traveled to the Senate desk in groups of four to sign the oath book.
— Alexander Bolton
01:30 PMApril 17, 2024
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Murray sworn in to preside over chamber
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has sworn in Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to preside over the chamber as it takes up the articles of impeachment.
01:02 PMApril 17, 2024
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Tillis expects proceedings to conclude this afternoon
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said that a time agreement remains out of reach, but that he expects proceedings to end this afternoon.
“I think it’s going to be points of order, disposed over two hours,” he said, adding that he believes this will be wrapped up ahead of dinner time. “Without debate, it would just require too many points of order.”
“I’m not changing my dinner plans,” he added.
— Al Weaver
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4599718-mayorkas-impeachment-senate-live-coverage/