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Pelosi downplays delaying delivery of impeachment articles to Senate

Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she plans to name House managers for President Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate after that chamber's leaders set the parameters for what the trial will look like, suggesting that the newly passed articles of impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate soon after.

Why it matters: Some House Democrats floated delaying the delivery of the articles in an effort to buy more time and potentially more favorable terms for the Senate trial. However, Pelosi signaled that she doesn't plan for there to be a long standoff with the Senate.

  • "We're ready. When we see what they have, we'll know who and how many" House managers to send over, she said during her weekly press conference before the holidays.
  • Pelosi added that, in past impeachments, the Senate laid out the guidelines for a trial before the House delivered the articles of impeachment.
  • She also responded to GOP criticism that she's "playing games" by holding onto the articles: "Frankly, I don't care what the Republicans say."

The bottom line: Until the Senate is given the articles of impeachment, a Senate trial cannot take place. While Pelosi offered some more clarity on what that timeline will look like, she would not commit to any specific details.

  • The eventual Senate trial is expected to be as short as two weeks, and it will likely involve no new witnesses, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Go deeper: House Democrats' drama on delivering Trump's impeachment articles

Go deeper

Lachlan Markay
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Collins helps contractor before pro-Susan PAC gets donation

Sen. Susan Collins during her reelection campaign. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

A PAC backing Sen. Susan Collins in her high-stakes reelection campaign received $150,000 from an entity linked to the wife of a defense contractor whose firm Collins helped land a federal contract, new public records show.

Why it matters: The executive, Martin Kao of Honolulu, leaned heavily on his political connections to boost his business, federal prosecutors say in an ongoing criminal case against him. The donation linked to Kao was veiled until last week.

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Lachlan Markay
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

How cutting GOP corporate cash could backfire

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Companies pulling back on political donations, particularly to members of Congress who voted against certifying President Biden's election win, could inadvertently push Republicans to embrace their party's rightward fringe.

Why it matters: Scores of corporate PACs have paused, scaled back or entirely abandoned their political giving programs. While designed to distance those companies from events that coincided with this month's deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol, research suggests the moves could actually empower the far-right.

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Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
9 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Kaine, Collins pitch Senate colleagues on censuring Trump

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks with Sen. Susan Collins. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP via Getty Images

Sens. Tim Kaine and Susan Collins are privately pitching their colleagues on a bipartisan resolution censuring former President Trump, three sources familiar with the discussions tell Axios.

Why it matters: Senators are looking for a way to condemn Trump on the record as it becomes increasingly unlikely Democrats will obtain the 17 Republican votes needed to gain a conviction in his second impeachment.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow