U.S. Senators Steve Daines of Montana and John Barrasso of Wyoming have signed onto a resolution seeking to dismiss the recently passed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump before the House sends them over.
The proposed change to the Senate rules announced Jan. 7 would allow members to dismiss the articles of impeachment without debate if the House doesn’t provide them to the chamber within 25 days of their adoption. Roughly a dozen Republicans Senators support the rule change.
In a video statement, Daines called the impeachment a “rigged process” and said House Democrats have been obsessed with impeaching Trump before he was sworn into office.
"It’s time to put up or shut up, and stand up to Nancy Pelosi," Daines said.
Breaking from precedent, House Speaker Pelosi has not indicated when she plans to refer the articles to the Senate, saying she wants more details on Senate trial rules. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will not hold a trial to remove the president from office before receiving the House impeachment articles.
The Senate must pass the proposed impeachment rule change by two-thirds, or 67 votes, a likely uphill challenge for Republicans, who hold a slim majority. If adopted, the 25 days would expire Jan 12.
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