Impeachment Next Steps: What Happens After Articles Of Impeachment Are Drafted?

The public impeachment hearings appear to have wrapped up, but lawmakers are unsure of what the next steps in the impeachment process will be.

The Judiciary Committee will draft articles of impeachment and send those to the House for debate, but it is unclear what the timeframe will be or how the proceedings will be conducted.

Senior Democrats on the Judiciary panel have reportedly warned some lawmakers that they should be prepared to “hit the ground running” after returning from Thanksgiving recess, and that their panel may receive an Intelligence committee report the week of Dec. 2.

“I don’t think that there has been a discussion amongst the committee as to the future course of the impeachment process,” said Judiciary Committee member Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia). “How we will do that, whether or not we will take evidence as we move forward with that process, that has not been discussed.”

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The impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump has defied multiple precedents, with the inquiry being launched without a floor vote and proceedings being lead by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-California). Typically, the Judiciary Committee would be responsible for heading the investigation.

However, because of a disagreement between Judiciary Chairman Jerrod Nadler (D-New York) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) over the committee’s handling of the Mueller probe, Pelosi decided to designate Schiff to take the reins.

Schiff, Nadler, Pelosi and their aides have reportedly all been in close contact to discuss how matters will be dealt with, and how the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees will cooperate going forward.