Smile, Congress: You’re on camera!
As the House barrels toward impeaching President Donald Trump, both Republicans and Democrats put themselves on display (on television).
The House Judiciary Committee’s markup hearing on the two articles of impeachment was, at times, wonky, confusing and long. But it was televised with the hopes that the American public could watch along as either side made its case on why Trump should — or should not — be impeached.
The hearing didn’t even start until primetime on Wednesday (7 p.m. Eastern), adjourned overnight and then ran for 14 hours on Thursday. It could have gone even longer, but committee chair Jerry Nadler abruptly ended the day’s hearing at 11 p.m. — and reconvened the next morning.
Nadler’s decision to close out the hearing for the day, rather than continue debating into the night, rankled Republicans. Ranking Member Rep. Doug Collins was surprised, calling the move “bush league” and said “words cannot describe how inappropriate this was.”
Democrats on the committee said they wanted the vote to take place when the American public is more likely to see it … on television Friday morning.
“They can’t expect to go … into the middle of the night without the American public seeing,” said Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland added that they wanted to hold the vote in “broad daylight.”
Next week expect there to be even more camera-ready moments, as the articles of impeachment go to a full House for a vote — along with big votes on USMCA and a government funding bill.
The Point: Congress had its eye on history — and the camera — this week.Â
Monday
- Christopher Steele said he’s not biased against President Trump because he was ‘friendly’ with Ivanka Trump
- Barr slams FBI as he and Durham contradict watchdog
Tuesday
- Federal judge blocks use of billions of dollars in Pentagon funds to build border wall
- McConnell says Senate to take up trade deal after impeachment trial
- McConnell says impeachment trial to begin around ‘time the bowl games end’
Wednesday
- McConnell will move to acquit Trump if he’s impeached, not merely dismiss charges, 2 Republican senators say
- Nearly 3 in 4 Americans say impeachment won’t change minds
- Trump publicly minimizes impeachment while he stews privately
- Trump aims to crack down on anti-Semitism on college campuses using civil rights protections
Thursday
- House Democrats pass drug price cap bill, escalating 2020 health care wars
- Trump signs off in principle on tentative China trade deal agreement
- CNN to host January Democratic presidential debate in Iowa
Friday
- White House further limits officials on Trump’s foreign leader calls in wake of Ukraine scandal
- Trump confirms ‘phase one’ trade deal with China
- Impeachment heads to full House after historic vote
And that was the week in 15 headlines.
