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The U.S. House of Representatives released a resolution outlining the process for the next phase of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

House Democrats are preparing to start the public-facing phase of the impeachment inquiry into the conduct of the President particularly in connection with the Ukraine controversy.

On Tuesday, House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) introduced the resolution for mark up on Wednesday at 3pm.

In a statement, Rep. McGovern said, “This is a sad time for our country. None of us came to Congress to impeach a president – but each of us took a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution. While the President and his allies try to obstruct our investigation and cover up his wrongdoing, the House will continue to do its job and uncover the truth for the American people.”

He said the next steps in the impeachment inquiry include establishing the procedure for public hearings by the House Intelligence Committee and the process for transferring evidence to the House Judiciary Committee.t

On the other hand, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D- New York) said, “This is a serious moment for our Nation… These procedures confer, among other things, rights for the minority and for the President equal to those provided during the Nixon and Clinton inquiries.  This Committee is committed to executing its part of the House’s ongoing impeachment investigation with the highest fealty to the Constitution.”

House impeachment inquiry procedures offer protections to Pres. Trump

In addition, Rep. Nadler said the impeachment inquiry procedures provide Pres. Trump the following protections:

• The President’s counsel will receive copies of any statements of information and related documents and other evidentiary material (including staff reports) furnished to the Members of the Judiciary Committee.
• The President and his counsel may attend the presentation of evidence by Majority and Minority committee counsel and the President’s counsel may ask questions during the presentation.
• The President’s counsel may respond to the presentation of evidence.
• The President’s counsel may submit written summaries of additional testimony or evidence the President wishes the Judiciary Committee to consider.
• The President and his counsel may attend all hearings of the Judiciary Committee, including any held in executive session.
• The President’s counsel may question witnesses called before the Judiciary Committee and may raise objections relating to the examination of witnesses or the admissibility of testimony and evidence.
• The President’s counsel may be invited to offer a concluding presentation.
• The resolution permits the Minority to issue subpoenas with the concurrence of the Chair or authorized by a Committee vote. Contrary to the claims of the President and Republican leadership, the minority did not have unilateral subpoena power in the Nixon and Clinton impeachment proceedings.

The House is expected to vote on the resolution on Thursday.