Washington, D.C.Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI05) has served as a House manager in more Senate trials than any other member in history, including the 1998-99 impeachment of President Clinton. He offered the following statement in response to Speaker Pelosi’s decision to withhold articles of impeachment from the Senate:

“The Democrats repeatedly said that President Trump had to be impeached now. ‘This can’t wait’ was the common refrain. Well, apparently, it can wait. Speaker Pelosi is withholding the articles of impeachment from the Senate because her case cannot win over there. While Democrats were able to railroad the first strictly-partisan impeachment through the House, their power has limits and cannot guarantee their desired verdict in the Senate.

The Constitution clearly gives the Senate, not Speaker Pelosi, ‘the sole Power to try all Impeachments.’ While the Speaker was able to manage the process meticulously in the House, she does not get to dictate the terms of the Senate trial. If impeachment really were as urgent as the Democrats said, then let the Senate consider these Articles.

The criticism all along has been that this impeachment was weak, hurried, and partisan. Now it appears that Democrats are worried the flaws of their rush-job will be exposed when they no longer control the process.”

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