Pelosi and Schiff: Democrats will not cave to GOP demands for a formal impeachment inquiry vote

[ehrnst]

Signaling that Democrats won’t cave to GOP demands, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that the House will not hold a formal floor vote on their impeachment inquiry into President Donald trump "at this time."

"There is no requirement that we have a vote. So at this time, we will not be having a vote," Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill after a brief closed-door Democratic caucus meeting. "And I’m very pleased with the thoughtfulness of our caucus in terms of being supportive of the path that we are on in terms of fairness, in terms of seeking the truth, in terms of upholding the Constitution of the United States."

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who joined her at the news conference, echoed her remarks and said that the Constitution is “very clear” that an initial vote is not required.

The White House and congressional Republicans have demanded that Pelosi hold a formal vote on the House floor to initiate the impeachment investigation.

Ahead of Pelosi's comments Tuesday, NBC News reported that House Democratic leaders had been reaching out to rank-and-file lawmakers in swing districts to gauge their support for an official vote to open an impeachment inquiry, two sources said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/pelosi-says-house-won-t-hold-vote-impeachment-time-n1066671

[dalton99a]

1. You don't give an inch to a hostage taker and extortionist.

He'd just come up with more bullshit "rules" and demands

[ehrnst]

2. Yep - GOP and WH say that they'll "cooperate fully" IF a formal vote is held. Dem leaders laughed.

The White House recently announced its opposition to the inquiry, calling it invalid and stating that it wouldn't comply with Democrats' requests and subpoenas until they hold a formal vote. Democrats, meanwhile, have said that since the White House has no track record of cooperating with previous oversight requests, holding a floor vote isn't likely to change the administration's approach.

[dalton99a]

3. +1. They are completely ignoring a co-equal branch of government

and therefore the Constitution itself. House rules mean nothing to them

[Eyeball_Kid]

4. The Dem response was appropriate.

Trumpy ALWAYS lies. The GOP follows suit. There is no interest in Trumpy EVER cooperating. We should strongly suspect that ANY court rulings ordering Trumpy to cooperate will be met with contempt and disregard. Trumpy will NEVER turn over documents to the House. He will NEVER allow anything to leave the White House.

But then there are the current witnesses appearing before the House committees that punch huge, gaping holes in Trumpy's defense. We should be relieved.

[saidsimplesimon]

6. Well said, dalton

[beachbumbob]

5. no such vote is needed, period

House Republicans can cast a vote when formal articles of impeachment are being voted on

[ehrnst]

7. Indeed.

But many who want a scapegoat will target Pelosi for "not doing anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"