Nancy Pelosi seizes the reins

The big picture: This is a chance for Pelosi to shape the conversation.

• Until now, mostly House Intel Chair Schiff — followed by House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler — has dominated the stage, and soon it will be in the Senate's hands.
• Coming tonight: Pelosi has a CNN town hall at 9 p.m. ET.

Between the lines: In her formal statement, Pelosi used simple declarative sentences to convey the idea there is no alternative:

• "The facts are uncontested.”
• "Our democracy is what is at stake.”
• "The president leaves us no choice but to act because he is trying to corrupt, once again, the election for his own benefit.”

She was a bit more colorful in the press conference that followed:

• Pelosi's reply to a reporter trying to bait her into saying she hates Trump: “Don’t mess with me.”

The bottom line: In both cases, Pelosi was clear. For Democrats, she's the boss.

Go deeper:

• Pelosi returns to press conference to address question on whether she hates Trump
• Pelosi asks House to proceed with articles of impeachment