VIDEO: US House Approves Impeachment Inquiry Resolution

By Colorado Public Radio Staff and The Associated Press

October 31, 2019

Updated 12:09 p.m.

A sharply divided House has approved the rules for its impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

Thursday's near party-line 232-196 roll call was the chamber's first formal vote on a process that's likely to take months, possibly stretching into the early weeks of the 2020 election year.

The vote was a victory for majority Democrats, who will control the investigation in the U.S. House. It gives them the ability to curb the ability of Republicans to subpoena witnesses and of White House lawyers to present witnesses.

Republicans said the process was skewed against them and the White House.

The vote showed how neither side has budged in their fight over whether Trump's effort to squeeze Ukraine for dirt on his Democratic political foes merits forcing him from office.

Colorado Delegation Reaction:

House Democrats have been conducting an impeachment inquiry without due process, fairness or transparency for over a month. No American should be subjected to this kind of unfairness. Todayâ€™s vote is nothing more than a Halloween trick to try to give this sham some credibility.
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) October 31, 2019

Every member of Congress swears an oath to defend our Constitution and, by approving this resolution today, we are taking the appropriate steps to do exactly that.
— Rep. Diana DeGette (@RepDianaDeGette) October 31, 2019

It isn't about the process; it isn't about the constitution; it's about the fact that the radical democrats hate @realDonaldTrump and refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election. #DoNothingDemocrats
— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) October 31, 2019

The evidence clearly shows President Trump extorted a foreign government for political gain - a clear abuse of power, betrayal of national security and corruption of our elections. 1/3
— Rep. Ed Perlmutter (@RepPerlmutter) October 31, 2019