Sens. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiSchumer vows next steps after 'ridiculous,' 'awful' GOP election bill filibuster Murkowski to vote 'no' on voting rights bill White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsPelosi quashes reports on Jan. 6 select committee White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure Supreme Court battle could wreak havoc with Biden's 2020 agenda MORE (R-Maine) said on Monday that they will not sign on to a GOP resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry. Collins separately told Politico that she doesn't plan to co-sponsor the resolution, though she added that she hasn't decided how she would vote if the resolution comes up on the Senate floor.
Lisa Ann MurkowskiSchumer vows next steps after 'ridiculous,' 'awful' GOP election bill filibuster Murkowski to vote 'no' on voting rights bill White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsPelosi quashes reports on Jan. 6 select committee White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure Supreme Court battle could wreak havoc with Biden's 2020 agenda MORE (R-Maine) said on Monday that they will not sign on to a GOP resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry. Collins and Murkowski are two of the three GOP senators who have not yet co-sponsored the resolution, which was spearheaded by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Equilibrium — Presented by NextEra Energy — Tasmanian devil wipes out penguin population The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden support, gas tax questions remain on infrastructure This week: Senate set for voting rights fight MORE (R-S.C.).
Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Equilibrium — Presented by NextEra Energy — Tasmanian devil wipes out penguin population The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden support, gas tax questions remain on infrastructure This week: Senate set for voting rights fight MORE (R-S.C.). ADVERTISEMENT
“From the get go, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have handled this impeachment inquiry poorly, from closed-door hearings and leaked information to the outright abandonment of decades of established precedent on due process for the accused. A serious lack of transparency will hardly build public trust or credibility for the House’s actions," Murkowski said in a statement.
But she added that, "as awful as their process is, the formal impeachment inquiry lies in the House, and it’s not the Senate’s role to dictate to the House how to determine their own rules.”
A spokeswoman for Collins didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about her position.
The resolution, introduced by Graham on Thursday, formally opposes the impeachment inquiry and urges House Democrats to hold an official vote on it.
Donald TrumpGuardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa wins GOP primary in NYC mayor's race Garland dismisses broad review of politicization of DOJ under Trump Schumer vows next steps after 'ridiculous,' 'awful' GOP election bill filibuster MORE "due process," including "the ability to confront his accusers" and that House Republicans should be able to subpoena their own witnesses.Graham had 39 co-sponsors when he introduced the resolution, but by Friday 50 of the Senate Republican Conference's 53 members had signed on as co-sponsors.
In addition to Collins and Murkowski, Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyOvernight Defense: Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system | Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal | National Guard may have 'training issues' if not reimbursed Equilibrium — Presented by NextEra Energy — Flaming shipwreck wreaks havoc on annual sea turtle migration Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal MORE (R-Utah) is the third GOP senator who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor.
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyOvernight Defense: Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system | Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal | National Guard may have 'training issues' if not reimbursed Equilibrium — Presented by NextEra Energy — Flaming shipwreck wreaks havoc on annual sea turtle migration Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal MORE (R-Utah) is the third GOP senator who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor. Romney didn't rule it out on Monday, but indicated that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiPelosi quashes reports on Jan. 6 select committee Overnight Defense: Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system | Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal | National Guard may have 'training issues' if not reimbursed On The Money: Powell says pickup in job gains likely this fall | Schumer, Pelosi meeting with White House on infrastructure MORE's (D-Calif.) decision to hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry's procedures likely superseded Graham's resolution.
Nancy PelosiPelosi quashes reports on Jan. 6 select committee Overnight Defense: Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system | Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal | National Guard may have 'training issues' if not reimbursed On The Money: Powell says pickup in job gains likely this fall | Schumer, Pelosi meeting with White House on infrastructure MORE's (D-Calif.) decision to hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry's procedures likely superseded Graham's resolution. "You know I've been reluctant from the beginning to get involved in the process argument between the White House and the House, but now that the Speaker has scheduled a vote I think that's been overtaken by events," Romney said, asked why he hadn't signed on to Graham's resolution.
It's unclear if, or when, Graham's resolution will come up for a vote. It was sent to the Senate Rules Committee, which is overseen by Sen. Roy Blunt
Roy Dean BluntThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Senate to vote on elections bill Congress barrels toward debt cliff Excellence Act will expand mental health and substance use treatment access to millions MORE (R-Mo.).
Roy Dean BluntThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Senate to vote on elections bill Congress barrels toward debt cliff Excellence Act will expand mental health and substance use treatment access to millions MORE (R-Mo.). Blunt didn't indicate on Monday if he will take it up in committee, instead telling reporters that he is waiting to see the exact language of the House resolution.
"Let's see what she actually proposes," Blunt said. "I read her letter and it could mean not very much, or maybe it will mean more than we're just going to formalize the unfair way we've been doing things."
The resolution cannot currently pass the Senate, where it would need 60 votes. But bringing it to the floor could allow Senate Republicans to formally show their support for Trump.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate GOP blocks voting rights bill Schumer, McConnell spar as GOP prepares to block voting bill Trump has 'zero desire' to be Speaker, spokesman says MORE (R-Ky.) didn't respond to a question on Monday about moving Graham's resolution.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate GOP blocks voting rights bill Schumer, McConnell spar as GOP prepares to block voting bill Trump has 'zero desire' to be Speaker, spokesman says MORE (R-Ky.) didn't respond to a question on Monday about moving Graham's resolution.But the GOP leader, who is co-sponsoring the measure, touted it during his Senate floor speech.
“It’s no secret that Washington Democrats have been looking for a way to remove President Trump since Inauguration Day. But that does not remove the basic requirements of fairness and due process. That’s what our resolution makes clear. I am proud to sponsor it with Chairman Graham," he said.
