Republicans need six more senators to decide to dismiss the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on Jan. 22.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, which is hearing arguments for removing Trump from office from House Democrats this week before Trumps lawyers present their case against conviction.
“There are 45, with about five to eight wanting to hear a little more,” Paul told the Washington Post. “I still would like to dismiss it, but there arent the votes to do it just yet.”
Convicting Trump, or removing him from office, requires a 67-vote supermajority for one of the articles. Dismissing the impeachment articles requires a simple majority.
Paul didnt name any names. Republicans who are among those still wanting to hear more likely include Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
Arguments from House impeachment managers, including lead manager Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the House Intelligence chairman, are only serving to unify the GOP, Paul added. He plans to push for dismissing the articles later in the trial.
“I will push it at some point,” Paul said. “The more Adam Schiff speaks, the more we become unified.”
Republicans and Democrats differ over when to call witnesses in the trial, whether any witnesses are necessary, and which witnesses should be called if any are subpoenaed. Republicans won out this week, voting to approve initial guidelines that pushed the matter until later in the trial.
Both sides will present their arguments to lawmakers, who will then submit written questions. After receiving answers, the Senate will vote on whether to call witnesses. Democrats want four former or current White House officials, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, to testify.
Some Republicans appear to want no witnRead More – Source
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