OnPolitics: The House barrels toward Impeachment
It's Tuesday and the House is getting closer to impeaching President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, more lawmakers have announced they tested positive for COVID-19 following the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.
It's Mabinty, with today's top political news. Let's get started.
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How quickly can the House impeach Trump?
On Monday, the House introduced a single article (or charge) for "incitement of insurrection," and is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to declare Trump incapable of remaining in office using the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
The House is also preparing for a possible vote Wednesday on whether to impeach Trump a second time. Upon receiving the article, the Senate must take it up either through a vote to dismiss the charge or, if that fails, moving ahead with a trial to determine whether to convict the 45th president.
But the timing of a Senate trial is uncertain.
What's the hold-up?
House Speak Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., might not send the article of impeachment to the Senate immediately. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has circulated a letter showing the Senate can't hold a trial before Trump’s term ends.
How are the Republicans reacting?
There appears to be a bit more GOP support for impeachment this time.
What is the president saying?
"It's ridiculous," Trump told reporters as he left the White House en route to an immigration speech in Alamo, Texas. He took no responsibility for last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Jaw-dropping news from the Capitol riot
An active-duty Army Special Forces officer is under investigation for her presence at the Capitol during the riot there on Jan. 6, according to an Army spokesman.
The FBI issued a dire internal warning on the day before the Capitol riots that violent extremists were planning an armed uprising, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
One Capitol Police officer was arrested, two were suspended and at least 10 are under investigation for their conduct during last week’s Capitol riot.
Congress feuds over COVID-19
House Reps. Anthony Brown, D-Md., and Debby Dingell, D-Mich., proposed legislation Tuesday that would fine any member of Congress who refuses to wear a mask on Capitol grounds $1,000 for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes as Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., who both said they sheltered with maskless colleagues during the events at the Capitol.
"Any Member who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy," Jayapal tweeted after her diagnosis.
More news to know:
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., wants “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem, to become the national hymn and help unite the country after centuries of racial turmoil.
Due to COVID-19, and now security concerns following a pro-Trump mob breaching the Capitol, this year's Inauguration will look different than year's past.
Abu Muhammad al-Masri, the No. 2 leader of al-Qaeda was killed in Iran last summer, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed on Tuesday.
Thanks for reading OnPolitics. Stay calm and drink water. —Mabinty
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The House pushes forward with impeachment, Capitol riot: OnPolitics
