Update 3: And so it begins...
The House is first expected to pass a resolution to kick off six hours of floor debate on the articles. The time will be split equally between Republicans and Democrats.
The chamber’s 197 Republicans are expected to vote against impeachment, along with two Democrats: Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who has said he plans to switch parties.
Almost all of the remaining 231 Democrats have said they will vote for impeachment, along with Michigan Independent Justin Amash, who quit the GOP over his opposition to Trump.
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Update 2: As we expected, the tweet below has been reissued, with a few edits. It's classic Trump, as the president exhorts his followers to "SAY A PRAYER" on impeachment day, while raging at "Do Nothing Democrats" and the "Radical Left."
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2019
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Update: We 100% President Trump to go on a full-fledged Twitter rampage lasting until the last impeachment vote is cast on Wednesday, and so far, the president hasn't disappointed...although his first impeachment-focused tweet of the day has already been deleted for what we imagine are copy-editing-related reasons.
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The rules have been established, objections have been lodged and today, Wednesday, Dec. 18, with most of the US preparing for next week's holiday break, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is angling to finish the job, and finally impeach President Trump.
Though it means nothing to most of his supporters, as well as many Americans who simply haven't been convinced by The Democrats' arguments about how Trump supposedly violated the constitution, President Trump will almost certainly become the third American president to be impeached (and first since Bill Clinton) when lawmakers gather in the Well of the House for Wednesday's historic proceedings, according to Bloomberg.
Here's what to expect: After the House is gaveled in at about 9 am, lawmakers will debate for six hours before two votes are held: One on each article of impeachment. Trump is facing two charges: one is abuse of power, stemming from President Trump's alleged attempted "quid pro quo" with Ukraine involving the Bidens.
The other is obstruction of Congress, based on the administration's policy of advising White House employees and members of Trump's circle to ignore Congressional subpoenas by invoking executive privilege.
According to the Associated Press, Pelosi has the votes to impeach Trump on a purely party line basis. Many...