Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wields the gavel as she presides over the US House of Representatives vote on a resolution that sets up the next steps in the impeachment inquiry of US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, October 31, 2019. — Reuters pic
WASHINGTON, Oct 31 — Congress formally opened a new, public phase of its presidential investigation today as US lawmakers voted for the first time to advance the impeachment process against Donald Trump.
“Today, the House takes the next step forward as we establish the procedures for open hearings conducted by the House Intelligence Committee so that the public can see the facts for themselves,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said shortly before the vote.
The chamber voted largely along party lines, 232 to 196, to formalise the process, which also provides for opportunities for Trump’s counsel to cross-examine witnesses. — AFP