[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S235-S236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                PROGRAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, a 
few minutes ago, the Senate was notified that the House of 
Representatives is finally ready to proceed with their Articles of 
Impeachment. So, by unanimous consent, we have just laid some of the 
groundwork that will structure the next several days.
  We have officially invited the House managers to come to the Senate 
tomorrow at noon to exhibit their Articles of Impeachment. Then later 
tomorrow afternoon, at 2 p.m., the Chief Justice of the United States 
will arrive here in the Senate. He will be sworn in by the President 
pro tempore, Senator Grassley. Then the Chief Justice will swear in all 
of us Senators. We will pledge to rise above the petty factionalism and 
do justice for our institutions, for our States, and for the Nation. 
Then we will formally notify the

[[Page S236]]

White House of our pending trial and summon the President to answer the 
articles and send his counsel.
  So the trial will commence in earnest on Tuesday.
  First, Mr. President, some important good news for the country. We 
anticipate the Senate will finish the USMCA tomorrow and send this 
landmark trade deal to President Trump for his signature. This is a 
major victory for the administration, but more importantly, for 
American families.
  Let me close with this: This is a difficult time for our country, but 
this is precisely the kind of time for which the Framers created the 
Senate. I am confident this body can rise above short-termism and 
factional fever and serve the long-term best interests of our Nation. 
We can do this, and we must.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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