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Senate Republicans are eyeing a possible loophole when it comes to President Trump s impeachment raise objections about the process.
By using objections to process as a basis for voting against impeachment or conviction, Republicans are finding a political middle ground. They avoid the potential political consequences of voting in favor of it, such as loss of support from the Trump-supporting voter base or public condemnation from other Republicans, while also avoiding being labeled by Democrats as apologists or enablers of Trump and the mob.
Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina each said Wednesday that it is unconstitutional to convict a former president on impeachment charges.
The second impeachment of President Donald Trump split Northern Arizonaâs congressional representatives along party lines.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the senate wonât hold hearings on whether to convict the President and remove him from office until Jan. 19, the day before the inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden.
Rep. Paul Gosar voted against the impeachment motion, which passed on a 232-197 vote, with just 10 Republicans joining all the House Democrats. Gosarâs District 4 includes most of Western Arizona plus Prescott, Flagstaff, the Verde Valley and Northern Gila County.
âI will be voting NO on the resolution to impeach the president,â said Gosar on Twitter before the Wednesday vote. âThe vandals and rioters who interrupted my floor motion and speech prevented me from completing the official business of the House are solely responsible for their actions, not the President.â