Iran Press/America: The Democratic-controlled House Judiciary Committee has passed a vote to set the rules for hearings on impeaching Donald Trump – a move seen as a major step forward in the panel’s investigations into the president.
The resolution passed on Thursday is a technical step, and the committee would still have to introduce impeachment articles against Mr Trump and win approval from the House to bring charges against him, The Independent reported.
The president immediately responded on Twitter with a quote he attributed to Al Green, one of the first Democrats to call for an impeachment vote: “‘We can’t beat him, so let’s impeach him!’ Democrat Rep. Al Green,” Mr Trump wrote.
It was not immediately clear whether the congressman had in fact said that exact quote, though in a TV interview in May he said: “I’m concerned that if we don’t impeach the president, he will get re-elected.”
Despite the Democratic leadership’s reticence, the committee pressed forward, with chair Jerrold Nadler saying: “We have a constitutional, historical, and moral obligation to fully investigate these matters.”
Before the vote, he said: “Let us take the next step in that work without delay. I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution, and I yield back.”
The vote passed on party lines, with all Democrats voting in favour of the resolution and all Republicans voting in opposition.
The vote on Thursday set rules for those hearings, empowering staff to question witnesses, allowing some evidence to remain private and permitting the president’s counsel to respond to testimony.
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US House Judiciary Committee to pursue Trump Impeachment
