Nadler misses procedural step in impeachment process for family emergency

Rep. Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats to offer bill to expand Supreme Court 10 Democrats join NAACP lawsuit against Trump On The Trail: How marijuana went mainstream MORE (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will miss the final procedural step in the impeachment process before the House casts a final vote as he tends to a family emergency.

Two Democratic sources told The Hill that Nadler is away from Congress on Tuesday because his wife is ill.

Nadler’s absence comes the same day as the House Rules Committee is scheduled to set the terms of the chamber’s floor debate on voting on two articles of impeachment against President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump mocks Murkowski, Cheney election chances Race debate grips Congress US reentry to Paris agreement adds momentum to cities' sustainability efforts MORE.

The whole chamber is expected to cast a final vote on the articles Wednesday. They are expected to pass along a roughly party-line vote with possibly a handful of Democratic defections.

The New York Democrat is anticipated to return to Washington late Tuesday or early Wednesday, according to Politico. Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-Md.), another member of the Judiciary panel, is expected to present the articles of impeachment to the Rules Committee.

Currently in the House Rules Committee: Rep. Jamie RaskinJamin (Jamie) Ben RaskinThe Hill's Morning Report - Biden officials brace for worst despite vaccine data Political fireworks fuel DC statehood hearing Democrats vow to go 'bold' — with or without GOP MORE (D-Md.) — filling in for Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler who had a family emergency — and Rep. Doug CollinsDouglas (Doug) Allen CollinsCollins hits Warnock after All-Star Game pulled: 'Thanks for nothing' High anxiety over Trump in Georgia GOP Five big takeaways on Georgia's new election law MORE (R-Ga.) here to debate the articles of impeachment, the last step before the full House votes on them tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/fEL2PYi8LL

— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) December 17, 2019

The two articles of impeachment center around abuse of power over Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHouse panel approves bill to set up commission on reparations Democrats to offer bill to expand Supreme Court Former Israeli prime minister advises Iran to 'cool down' amid nuclear threats MORE, a chief political rival, and obstruction of Congress over his commands to administration officials to defy congressional subpoenas for testimony and documents.

Scott Wong contributed to this report.