House Judiciary Democrats vote to give themselves formal power to hold impeachment investigation – as exasperated Nancy Pelosi WALKS OUT on the press to dodge questions on move splitting her caucus
The committee voted 24-17 along party line to set rules for an impeachment inquiry
Panel chair Rep. Jerold Nadler said his committee ‘is engaged in an investigation’
Republicans blasted it as a ‘fantasy’ and said Democrats were dodging a floor vote that would show fissures in the caucus
Powers would give committee counsel the ability to grill witnesses, and Nadler can designate hearings part of impeachment inquiry
Former Trump chair Corey Lewandowsky is set to appear next week
Nadler: ‘This committee is engaged in an investigation that will allow us to determine whether to recommend articles of impeachment’
By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR
DAILYMAIL.COM
12 September 2019
The Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to set up a formal process to investigate whether to impeach President Trump – as Speaker Nancy Pelosi blasted reporters for pressing her on a topic that is splitting her caucus.
‘I’m not answering any more questions on investigations,’ Pelosi told reporters at a press conference, after saying she supports the Judiciary Committee’s actions.
She accused reporters of being ‘hung up’ on the language – an impeachment inquiry – of what was going on at the committee. ‘I’m not answering any more questions on this subject,’ she snapped at one point during her presser.
The Judiciary panel voted 24-17 along party lines to set rules for an impeachment inquiry, codifying a probe that panel members have already said existed and could lead to it recommending formal articles of impeachment later this year.
The Judiciary panel has already launched far-reaching probes of the Trump campaign, alleged campaign finance violations, the Constitution’s emoluments clause, and other matters. And in court filings, Democrats have pointed to the impeachment power as an argument for why they should gain access to administration documents.
Panel Chairman Rep. Jerold Nadler of New York promised the move would herald an aggressive investigation into ‘corruption, obstruction and abuse of power’ by the president.
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