With Rep. Diana De Gette of Colorado presiding over the debate on the articles of impeachment, much of the rancor of the previous days had subsided by Wednesday, Dec. 18. At the morning gavel, only a few Republicans were on hand as Democrats, including Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, chair of the House Rules Committee, began voicing support or rejection of the articles.
The vote, which will probably occur after we’ve gone to press, appears to be along partisan lines, thereby giving the Democratic majority control of the outcome. There are 233 Democrats in the House and 197 Republicans, one Independent and four vacancies. It is rumored that a few Democrats, in districts where Trump was successful in 2016, may vote against impeachment, though the Dems could afford to lose up to 16 or 17 such defections.
“Finally,” said Rep. Maxine Waters in a tweet Wednesday morning, “the day has come where impeachment will be voted on in the House of Representatives. If possible, take time to listen to the debate. Democrats have done our work and laid out the facts. Trump abused his power & obstructed Congress. We’re on the correct side of history.”
On the other hand, Trump continued his ranting and rage against the procedure, tweeting “Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG! A terrible thing. Read the transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER.”
There was still a buzz about Trump’s lengthy letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which was nothing more than another barrage of inaccuracies, exaggerations and misleading information. In short, as one pundit put it, another salvo of Trumpaganda.
If things go as predicted, Trump will be impeached on the two articles—abuse of power and obstruction of Congress—and the Senate takes on the process thereafter.
The partisan line will certainly prevail in the Senate where the Republicans are in charge, and some 20 senators would have to defect from the Republican ranks to convict Trump.