Sens. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiPotential Dem defectors face pressure on impeachment The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - A crucial week on impeachment Senate braces for brawl on Trump impeachment rules MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsDemocrats spend big to put Senate in play Senate confirms Trump's 50th circuit judge, despite 'not qualified' rating Republicans consider skipping witnesses in Trump impeachment trial 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 MurkowskiPotential Dem defectors face pressure on impeachment The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - A crucial week on impeachment Senate braces for brawl on Trump impeachment rules MORE (R-Alaska) and Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsDemocrats spend big to put Senate in play Senate confirms Trump's 50th circuit judge, despite 'not qualified' rating Republicans consider skipping witnesses in Trump impeachment trial 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 GrahamInspector general testifies on FBI failures: Five takeaways Horowitz offers troubling picture of FBI's Trump campaign probe Conservatives rip FBI over IG report: 'scathing indictment' MORE (R-S.C.).
Lindsey Olin GrahamInspector general testifies on FBI failures: Five takeaways Horowitz offers troubling picture of FBI's Trump campaign probe Conservatives rip FBI over IG report: 'scathing indictment' 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 John TrumpThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - House panel expected to approve impeachment articles Thursday Democrats worried by Jeremy Corbyn's UK rise amid anti-Semitism Warren, Buttigieg duke it out in sprint to 2020 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 RomneyNCAA president wants a federal athlete compensation bill Sharice Davids to vote for Trump impeachment articles: 'The facts are uncontested' Bombshell Afghanistan report bolsters calls for end to 'forever wars' MORE (R-Utah) is the third GOP senator who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor.
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyNCAA president wants a federal athlete compensation bill Sharice Davids to vote for Trump impeachment articles: 'The facts are uncontested' Bombshell Afghanistan report bolsters calls for end to 'forever wars' 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 PelosiThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - House panel expected to approve impeachment articles Thursday Democrats seek leverage for trial The Memo: Pelosi-Trump trade deal provokes debate on left MORE's (D-Calif.) decision to hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry's procedures likely superseded Graham's resolution.
Nancy PelosiThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by AdvaMed - House panel expected to approve impeachment articles Thursday Democrats seek leverage for trial The Memo: Pelosi-Trump trade deal provokes debate on left 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 BluntRepublicans consider skipping witnesses in Trump impeachment trial Senate braces for brawl on Trump impeachment rules Trump's legal team huddles with Senate Republicans MORE (R-Mo.).
Roy Dean BluntRepublicans consider skipping witnesses in Trump impeachment trial Senate braces for brawl on Trump impeachment rules Trump's legal team huddles with Senate Republicans 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 McConnellDemocrats seek leverage for trial Democrats spend big to put Senate in play House Democrats to vote on flavored e-cigarettes ban next year MORE (R-Ky.) didn't respond to a question on Monday about moving Graham's resolution.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocrats seek leverage for trial Democrats spend big to put Senate in play House Democrats to vote on flavored e-cigarettes ban next year 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.
