The House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday voted against issuing the whistleblower at the center of the impeachment inquiry a subpoena.
The vote was split along party lines 13-9, with Democrats led by Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) voting against issuing a subpoena to the anonymous person and Republicans in support of the move.
Republicans have contended that the whistleblower is a central figure in the impeachment inquiry and should take the stand to testify, while Democrats have said that the persons testimony is now redundant and irrelevant. They also said that the whistleblowers identity should be protected against a possible reprisal.
Some Senate Republicans have either named the whistleblower or have said that if the articles of impeachment reach the Senate, the whistleblower will be called to testify.
Earlier on Wednesday, Schiff claimed that he didnt know the identity of the whistleblower, whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.
“Do you anticipate when we might vote on the ability to have the whistleblower in front of us?” asked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) before diplomats George Kent and William Taylor were slated to testify.
“Of the 435 members of Congress, you are the only member who knows who that individual is, and your staff is the only staff of any member of Congress whos had a chance to talk with that individual,” added Jordan. “We would like that opportunity. When might that happen in this proceeding today?”
Schiff then said he didnt know the identity of the whistleblower.
“First, as the gentleman knows, thats a false statement,” said Schiff. “I do not know the identity of the whistleblower, and Im determined to make sure that identity is protected.
He added: “Youll have an opportunity after the witnesses testify to make a motion to subpoena any witness and compel a vote.”
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