CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A majority of Republican senators are backing a resolution calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to formalize its impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
The resolution, introduced Thursday by South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham, condemns the current inquiry for what Republican lawmakers argue is a denial of due process to the president.
The five-page resolution details the issues the senators have with the current investigation, including Trump’s legal counsel being unable to attend hearings and present evidence and witnesses, as well as the use of closed-door conferences.
According to Graham, 46 senators of the chamber’s 53 Republican lawmakers are co-sponsoring the legislation; West Virginia’s Shelley Moore Capito is among the legislators supporting the measure.
“During this impeachment investigation, President Trump is not being afforded basic due process rights that were provided during other presidential impeachment investigations, such as the right to have counsel present during hearings & depositions & the right to examine witnesses,” Capito tweeted.
Republicans in Congress have argued the current inquiry should be formalized like the investigations into Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.
“Any process to overrule the American people’s democratic decision in a presidential election must adhere to the highest standards of fairness and due process,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel, R-Ky., said. “Yet the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry is breaking critical precedents, denying the administration important rights that were afforded other presidents, and violating basic rules of due process.”
The resolution comes a day after more than two dozen Republican House members interrupted and delayed a closed deposition related to the inquiry. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., participated in the protest. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., tweeted support for the lawmakers; she is a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, which is involved in that portion of the inquiry with the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees.
The House on Monday tabled a resolution to censure and condemn House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Arizona Republican Andy Biggs introduced the resolution.
All Republicans in the House — including Mooney, Miller and Rep. David McKinley — opposed tabling the measure.