here's just part of what is in this opening statement that he will read before the committee in moments. sondland will say, and i'm quoting now, i know that members of this committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question. was there a quid pro quo? as i testified previously with regard to the requested white house call and white house meeting, the answer is yes. the ambassador will then go on to say and once again i'm quoting, everyone was in the loop. it was no secret. everyone was informed via email on july 19th, days before the presidential call. and as i communicated to the team, i told president zelensky in advance that assurances to run a fully transparent investigation and turn over every stone were necessary in his call with president trump. let's go to our senior congressional correspondent manu raju up on capitol hill.