Both of Nevada’s U.S. senators say they are remaining noncommittal to a specific vote as the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is set to get underway.
The Democratically controlled U.S. House of Representatives impeached Trump in December amid accusations he had tried to coerce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential opponent of Trump's in the 2020 presidential election. The articles of impeachment, held back for weeks by the House, were received today by the Senate, which will conduct a trial. Conviction of Trump with a two-thirds majority in the Senate, though highly unlikely because of a Republican majority in the body, would result in Trump's removal from office.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., echoed the call from Senate Democratic leadership to hear from witnesses during the trial, which is scheduled to get underway Tuesday. Most Republicans, backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been dismissive of calls to bring witnesses forward. It is, as of now, unclear whether witnesses will be called.
“As Nevada’s former attorney general, Sen. Cortez Masto is focused on ensuring that a Senate trial presents all the facts,” said Ryan King, Cortez Masto's communications director. “As information about the president’s actions continues to emerge, she supports bringing forward all relevant witnesses and evidence. The senator is approaching this process with an open mind and hopes the president will fully cooperate with this constitutional process. It is important for all of us to remember no one is above the law.”
A statement the office of Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said the senator would review the proceedings with impartiality.
“The senator takes her constitutional role very seriously. She’ll keep an open mind while listening to the House managers present their case and to the president’s defense,” the statement read. “The Constitution requires the senator to sit as a juror in the impeachment trial, and as such she will review the House’s findings in an impartial manner.”