Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerKrystal Ball: Is this how Bernie Sanders will break the establishment? TikTok chief cancels Capitol Hill meetings, inflaming tensions Overnight Health Care — Presented by That’s Medicaid — Deal on surprise medical bills faces obstacles | House GOP unveils rival drug pricing measure ahead of Pelosi vote | Justices to hear case over billions in ObamaCare payments MORE (D-N.Y.) says Democratic colleagues running for president, such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Ann WarrenThe media have fallen out of love with Bernie, but have voters? Buttigieg surrogate on candidate’s past consulting work: ‘I don’t think it matters’ Steyer rolls out 5B plan to invest in historically black colleges MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersSanders urges impeachment trial ‘quickly’ in the Senate The media have fallen out of love with Bernie, but have voters? Steyer rolls out 5B plan to invest in historically black colleges MORE (I-Vt.), should prioritize the Senate impeachment trial over campaigning ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
The trial could tie up senators on the Senate floor for the entire month of January, right before the first contest of the Democratic primary calendar scheduled in Iowa for Feb. 3.
With the possibility of close votes on procedural questions such as what witnesses should be called to the Senate floor, Schumer says colleagues should make the trial their first priority, even if it might tread on their campaign plans.
“This has to come first. This is one of the most solemn decisions that anyone has to make and I’ve told all members of my caucus that scheduling concerns are secondary to doing this the right way,” Schumer told reporters Tuesday.
A Senate trial is expected to begin after New Year’s Day but Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellThe Hill’s 12:30 Report — Presented by UANI — House Dems charge Trump with abuse, obstruction of Congress in impeachment articles Senate must take up Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay Krystal Ball: Is this how Bernie Sanders will break the establishment? MORE (R-Ky.) still have to sit down to negotiate a resolution to set the rules and parameters of the trial.
In addition to Sanders and Warren, who are at the top of polls along with former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenThe media have fallen out of love with Bernie, but have voters? Top Zelensky aide refutes Sondland testimony The great AI debate: What candidates are (finally) saying about artificial intelligence MORE, Sens. Amy Klobuchar
Amy Jean KlobucharPoll: Biden leads Democratic field, Warren drops to third place ‘Minor league cities’ need new federal partnership The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by AdvaMed – Democrats to release articles of impeachment today MORE (D-Minn.), Cory Booker
Cory Anthony BookerSanders urges impeachment trial ‘quickly’ in the Senate Steyer rolls out 5B plan to invest in historically black colleges The great AI debate: What candidates are (finally) saying about artificial intelligence MORE (D-N.Y.) and Michael Bennet
Michael Farrand BennetSanders urges impeachment trial ‘quickly’ in the Senate Obstacles remain for deal on surprise medical bills Key House and Senate health leaders reach deal to stop surprise medical bills MORE (D-Colo.) are also running for the party’s presidential nomination.
A Senate trial would put a major crimp in their schedule.
Senate rules generally call for the chamber to be in session six days a week to hear the case presented by the House impeachment managers and the defense presented by President TrumpDonald John TrumpSanders urges impeachment trial ‘quickly’ in the Senate US sending 20,000 troops to Europe for largest exercises since Cold War Barr criticizes FBI, says it’s possible agents acted in ‘bad faith’ in Trump probe MORE’s legal team.
During that time, senators are required to sit in their seats and listen to the evidence without speaking. They may submit questions and proposals for motions to the presiding chair, who would be Chief Justice John Roberts.
Schumer said he’s waiting for an invitation from McConnell to discuss next month’s schedule.
“As soon as he’s ready,” Schumer said.
