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Good morning, all -
Today's the day open impeachment hearings begin. Live feed here:
Today's the day open impeachment hearings begin. Live feed here:
And here:
Remember (and some perspective): these are the first public presidential impeachment hearing in over 20 years.
Today, Ambassador Bill Taylor, the admin's top diplomat in Ukraine and George Kent, deputy assistant secstate for European and Eurasian affairs are up.
Today, Ambassador Bill Taylor, the admin's top diplomat in Ukraine and George Kent, deputy assistant secstate for European and Eurasian affairs are up.
They'll be testifying together.
The full list of witnesses are here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-live-updates/2019/11/12/229f5484-04de-11ea-8292-c46ee8cb3dce_story.html
The full list of witnesses are here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-live-updates/2019/11/12/229f5484-04de-11ea-8292-c46ee8cb3dce_story.html
And you can revisit:
Taylor's closed-door testimony here: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/CPRT-116-IG00-D008.pdf
Kent's closed-door testimony here: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/CPRT-116-IG00-D009.pdf
Taylor's closed-door testimony here: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/CPRT-116-IG00-D008.pdf
Kent's closed-door testimony here: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/CPRT-116-IG00-D009.pdf
House Intelligence's full website is also here: https://intelligence.house.gov/defendourdemocracy/
If you want to revisit any of the other testimony. (Juste a note: it's not the most intuitive website to navigate)
If you want to revisit any of the other testimony. (Juste a note: it's not the most intuitive website to navigate)
If you're wondering how this entire process will go, remember - the House voted on the impeachment resolution, detailing the rules.
The language is here: https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20191028/BILLS-116-HRes660.pdf
Key: Schiff and Nunes will have opportunities for expanded questioning, up to 45 minutes each.
The language is here: https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20191028/BILLS-116-HRes660.pdf
Key: Schiff and Nunes will have opportunities for expanded questioning, up to 45 minutes each.
And yes, House Republicans were also given the opportunity to submit their own witness list.
House Dems (likely) rolled their eyes to most of them, but Schiff agreed to three. Nunes's original letter here: https://republicans-intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/rm_letter_to_chm_re_witness_request.pdf
House Dems (likely) rolled their eyes to most of them, but Schiff agreed to three. Nunes's original letter here: https://republicans-intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/rm_letter_to_chm_re_witness_request.pdf
If you're wondering what we can do outside of just watching the inquiry:
First, be aware that House Democrats appear to be transitioning from using the term quid pro quo, more to bribery. More from NY Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/politics/impeachment-strategy-republicans.html
First, be aware that House Democrats appear to be transitioning from using the term quid pro quo, more to bribery. More from NY Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/politics/impeachment-strategy-republicans.html
I know this seems weirdly specific, but language actually does right now.
Bribery, in so many words, basically makes it easier to explain this to more people. So let's follow the example being led by the House Dems.
Bribery, in so many words, basically makes it easier to explain this to more people. So let's follow the example being led by the House Dems.
2. If House Dems represent you, today is a good day to let them know that you continue to support the hearings.
This is an especially good day to let staff know. You can bet staff is under an incredible amount of stress right now, and support is always appreciated.
This is an especially good day to let staff know. You can bet staff is under an incredible amount of stress right now, and support is always appreciated.
Or in other words, there's a reason this is needed. https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/470179-therapy-dogs-slated-to-visit-capitol-hill-today
3. If you're repped by a House GOP member, let them know you're watching how they respond to the hearings today.
And while you can't say this directly (FEC regulations), you can definitely strongly imply you're voting them out come November.
And while you can't say this directly (FEC regulations), you can definitely strongly imply you're voting them out come November.
And if you're feeling particularly snarky? Tell them to staple a damn suit jacket on Jim Jordan already. I'm tired of seeing him without a jacket.
4. Not related to any of this, but still urgent and worth mentioning if you're calling anyway: there's currently an agreement -
4. Not related to any of this, but still urgent and worth mentioning if you're calling anyway: there's currently an agreement -
- on the table to fund the government until 12/20. https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2019-11-12/impeachment-aside-federal-budget-remains-a-pressing-matter
Reaffirm that we're all glad there isn't a government shutdown looming before Thanksgiving, but we need Congress to do their job, basically.
Reaffirm that we're all glad there isn't a government shutdown looming before Thanksgiving, but we need Congress to do their job, basically.
The hearing has officially begun, so it's worth tuning in NOW.
Schiff has finished speaking, and Devin Nunes is currently grandstanding.
While I'd rather do anything but listen to Nunes, it's worth just keeping general tabs on what he's saying, so we can continue staying ahead of GOP talking points.
While I'd rather do anything but listen to Nunes, it's worth just keeping general tabs on what he's saying, so we can continue staying ahead of GOP talking points.
Nunes now directly criticizing Taylor to his face, congratulating him for passing the Democrats' "audition" for being the star in this drama. (Paraphrasing)
If you're interested in donating to his opponent, here's the list of Dems who've declared: https://ballotpedia.org/California%27s_22nd_Congressional_District_election,_2020#Candidates_and_election_results
If you're interested in donating to his opponent, here's the list of Dems who've declared: https://ballotpedia.org/California%27s_22nd_Congressional_District_election,_2020#Candidates_and_election_results
. @EliseStefanik currently whining that House Dems haven't responded to Nunes's requested witness list.
(Sorry, no other way to describe it)
Remember: Schiff has agreed to three witnesses from their list. https://twitter.com/Celeste_pewter/status/1194628293040865280
(Sorry, no other way to describe it)
Remember: Schiff has agreed to three witnesses from their list. https://twitter.com/Celeste_pewter/status/1194628293040865280
And we're off.
If these past few minutes are anything to go by, it's that House GOP are going to try and constantly disrupt hearings by arguing that House Dems are ignoring their witness list (they're not) and demanding the whistleblower appear.
If these past few minutes are anything to go by, it's that House GOP are going to try and constantly disrupt hearings by arguing that House Dems are ignoring their witness list (they're not) and demanding the whistleblower appear.
It's not surprising, but today's a good day to call House GOP who represent you, and remind them that the whistleblower went through the appropriate and proper channels.
We can (and should) all read this: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/intel/R45345.pdf
We can (and should) all read this: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/intel/R45345.pdf
And if you want to remind Republicans that as the part of national security, they don't seem to care a lot about someone who has been giving their life to work as a member of the intelligence community...
It's an apt and appropriate talking point.
It's an apt and appropriate talking point.
George Kent currently testifying.
If you need the cliff notes version of his previous testimony, start here: https://www.lawfareblog.com/summary-george-kents-deposition-testimony
If you need the cliff notes version of his previous testimony, start here: https://www.lawfareblog.com/summary-george-kents-deposition-testimony
The text of Kent's opening statement is here (via @NewsHour):
https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2019/11/Kent-Impeachment-Testimony_Final-Clean.pdf
https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2019/11/Kent-Impeachment-Testimony_Final-Clean.pdf
Bill Taylor’s opening statement here (via @CNN): https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6548443-Ambassador-William-B-Taylor-Opening-Statement.html#document/p1
