(WXYZ) — The ramp up to the historic impeachment vote is still underway at the US Capital.
Republicans and Democrats in the House are debating on both Articles of Impeachment against President Trump.
The vote is expected shortly. The House gave themselves 6 hours to debate the articles. They are still going now.
To start off, Democrats fought off two attempts by Republican members to drop the impeachment vote.
Then both sides showed the vote ahead will likely be on party lines as lawmakers went to their partisan corners to debate the merits of and explain their pending vote on the Articles of Impeachment.
“Doing nothing, Madam Speaker, is not an option. Looking away from these crimes against our country is not an option,” said Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib.
“These proceedings are weaponizing impeachment, making them another election tool,” said Michigan Republican Paul Mitchell.
“The facts are conclusive. The president attempted to use the power of the powerful office of president to force Ukraine to influence our 2020 election,” said Michigan Democrat Brenda Lawrence.
As this process has been playing out, I went out to Rochester, part of a swing district, to ask potential voters if they believe this process has been fair, and what they expect will be the outcome.
“I think everybody has almost come across honestly, as honestly as they can,” one man told us.
“I guess so. you know I mean it’s taken a long time and wasn’t an overnight deal. It’s been a long time, so yeah,” said another.
“I think it’s been interesting. Informative. Comprehensive. I found it to be relevant,” a woman told us.
“I think it’s going to be a completely political process which I think is where we’re at. So, the Democrats will vote to impeach, and the Republicans will vote to acquit. So that’s where we’re at. So, I think next November will tell the true story and that will be up to the voters,” said another.
A reminder, impeachment does not equal removal. It brings the process to the Senate, where senators will act as a jury, deciding whether to acquit the president or remove him from office.
