Republican senators convinced House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to delay the delivery of two impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, citing concerns that Senate Democrats will look to quickly dismiss them once a trial begins in the upper chamber.
There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,” a spokesperson for Johnson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
Schumer told senators in a dear-colleague letter last week that proceedings would begin Thursday, per procedure, once the articles are delivered on Wednesday as expected.
Two of the senators actively working to convince the speaker to hold off on delivery were Sens.
Schumer wants it on a Thursday afternoon because he wants no coverage,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, added at a Tuesday GOP press conference on the status of the impeachment trial.
Green said he had not heard from Senate Republicans regarding the delay but would support House GOP leaders’ decision.
Democrat senators have previously indicated to Fox News Digital that they believe their caucus will seek such a strategic procedural maneuver.
The Utah Republican also told reporters, “I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for his bold willingness to delay this.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was persuaded by Republican senators. citing worries that Senate Democrats would try to swiftly dismiss them once a trial starts in the upper chamber, to postpone the delivery of two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“The House will forward the articles of impeachment to the Senate the following week to guarantee that the Senate has sufficient time to carry out its constitutional obligation. A Johnson representative told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that there is absolutely no justification for the Senate to neglect its duty to hold an impeachment trial.
Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, from winning the majority, at least ten Republican senators claimed to be actively pressuring the speaker to postpone delivering the articles. Y. , and the Democratic caucus from putting the trial on hold before the weekend and promptly sending senators home, a person with knowledge of the matter told Fox News Digital.
In a letter addressed to senators last week, Schumer informed them that, in accordance with protocol, the hearings would start on Thursday as soon as the articles are delivered on Wednesday as scheduled. Johnson had previously sent Schumer a letter indicating the delivery date.
SEE MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL IMMIGRATION COVERAGE.
According to the source, the GOP senators talked about their efforts to convince Johnson at a lunch held on Tuesday at the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s headquarters. Sens. were two of the senators actively trying to persuade the speaker to postpone making the announcement. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Mike Lee (Utah). confirmed by their offices.
As per the source, the Republicans would benefit from a postponement since it would give the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas additional time to be discussed without the impending weekend.
Sen. said, “We have an opportunity to discuss the matter.”. Senator John Kennedy, R-La. elucidated the impact of the wait.
Senators race to the airport on Thursday afternoon in an attempt to leave the country. Due to his desire for no coverage, Senator Schumer requests that it happen on a Thursday afternoon. the status of the impeachment trial, Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, stated during a GOP press conference on Tuesday.
Mark Green, the Republican from Tennessee, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. Shortly after the announcement, the chief impeachment manager, emerged from Johnson’s office and informed reporters, “We were prepared to proceed tomorrow.”. ****.
Green stated that he would back the choice made by House GOP leaders even though he had not heard from Senate Republicans about the postponement.
He told Fox News Digital, “We had a phone conversation, the contents of which will remain between the speaker and I,” refusing to say whether he had spoken with Johnson prior to the delay becoming public. ****.
Rep. is another impeachment manager. Andy Biggs (R-AZ). stated to Fox News Digital that he was not shocked by the news because he had been in communication with some of the Senate Republicans who were advocating for the postponement. “I had been talking with some of my Republican friends in the Senate,” he stated. I was therefore not overly shocked. “.”.
The person added that during the Tuesday lunch, Republican senators talked about how they wanted to put more pressure on their Democratic colleagues. Several senators said they would support a plan to stop all legislative work if Democrats brought up the Mayorkas trial. This would entail, among other things, Republicans declining to provide a quorum or a vote.
AMID SHOWDOWN OVER FEDERAL SURVEILLANCE POWERS, HOUSE TO CLEAR MAJOR ROADBLOCK ON DATA PRIVACY.
The impeached official had to resign from office for such an event to occur, according to GOP senators, who have reiterated that tabling the trial would be “historic.”.
AGITATORS AGAINST ISRAEL CLOSES THE SENATE CAFETERIA, ARRESTING ABOUT FIFTY.
“This is what we do,” Sen. The R-Mo Eric Schmitt. stated at Tuesday’s press conference.
Republicans in the Senate chastised Schumer for their presumption that he would try to swiftly end the trial. Schumer hasn’t stated what the Democrats will do, though.
Prior to this, Democratic senators told Fox News Digital that they thought their caucus would look for a similar calculated legal ploy.
During a Republican press conference on Tuesday, Lee declared, “They are nuking a provision of the Constitution.”.
“I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for his bold willingness to delay this,” the Utah Republican added in a statement to reporters. ****.
Cruz stated, “He wants Senate Democrats—especially those who are on the ballot in November—to vote guilty or not guilty.”.
Schumer remained silent when contacted by Fox News Digital.
