Senate Republicans blocked Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s proposed amendments to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s resolution on the rules for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, Schumer proposed 11 amendments including subpoenas on important documents and witnesses who have first-hand knowledge about Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
In particular, the Democratic Leader sought Senate approval for subpoenas to obtain all materials related to the Ukraine controversy from the White House, U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
He also sought approval for subpoenas to obtain the testimony of key witnesses including Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security Adviser John Bolton among others.
As expected, Senate Republicans voted along party line (53-47) to table Schumer’s amendments.
Nadler suggested that Senate Republicans were complicit in Trump’s cover-up
Democrats believe that Mulvaney and Bolton are primary figures that could shed light to the Ukraine scandalt that led to Trump’s impeachment. During a press conference in October, Mulvaney admitted that the President delayed the release of almost $400 million in U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to pressure its government to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. In other words, he confirmed a quid pro quo.
