Van Hollen Statement on House Vote to Pass Articles of Impeachment

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote to pass articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump:

“Today is a somber day for our nation and for the Congress. Now that the House has completed its constitutional duty, impeachment will move to the Senate. As we go forward, it’s up to the American people to demand a fair trial. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s conduct is already extremely troubling and anything but impartial. He has publicly expressed his plan to work in lockstep with the President during the trial and has rejected reasonable requests to allow key fact witnesses to testify. In short, he wants to rig the trial. I hope my other Republican colleagues will agree that we have a duty to get all the facts and do justice. If President Trump and Senate Republicans have nothing to hide, they should have nothing to fear. 

“Through their hearings and witness-sworn testimonies, I believe the House has presented overwhelming evidence in support of the case for impeachment, but — unlike the Senate Republican leader — I welcome additional evidence, including any exculpatory evidence the President wants to produce. I will listen to and fairly weigh any such evidence before rendering a final verdict. That is what a trial is all about. That is our obligation under the Constitution. The American people deserve nothing less.” 

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