Murkowski, Collins say they won't co-sponsor Graham's impeachment resolution

By Jordain Carney - 10/28/19 10:45 PM EDT
 
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Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiRepublicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment GOP threatens to weaponize impeachment witnesses amid standoff Paul predicts no Republicans will vote to convict Trump MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsRepublicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump beefs up impeachment defense with Dershowitz, Starr The Hill's Morning Report — President Trump on trial MORE (R-Maine) said on Monday that they will not sign on to a GOP resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry. 
 
 
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“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.”
 
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. 
 
"Just as I don’t like it when House members try to tell us to abolish the filibuster, I’m not sure it’s productive for the Senate to try to dictate to the House how to conduct the inquiry," Collins told the publication. 
 
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. 
 
It also says the House should give President TrumpDonald John TrumpNational Archives says it altered Trump signs, other messages in Women's March photo Dems plan marathon prep for Senate trial, wary of Trump trying to 'game' the process Democratic lawmaker dismisses GOP lawsuit threat: 'Take your letter and shove it' 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.   
 
Romney didn't rule it out on Monday, but indicated that House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiRepublicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment Trump chooses high-profile but controversial legal team Trump: Impeachment timing intended to hurt Sanders 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 BluntRoy Dean BluntSenate GOP mulls speeding up Trump impeachment trial Biden calls for revoking key online legal protection GOP threatens to weaponize impeachment witnesses amid standoff 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. 
 
 
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. 
Tags Mitch McConnell Lisa Murkowski Lindsey Graham Susan Collins Nancy Pelosi Donald Trump Mitt Romney Roy Blunt