US Senate leader ready to pass impeachment trial rules without Democrats

Republicans are prepared to press ahead with rules for US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the Senate leader said, ignoring opposition Democrats who want assurances that witnesses can be called.

Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said he has the backing in his majority caucus to pass a set of rules for the trial unilaterally -- leaving the issue of witnesses and documents until after the historic proceedings have begun.

"We have the votes, once the impeachment trial has begun, to pass a resolution (setting up) what could best be described as a phase one," that lays out arguments of the prosecution and defense, and a period of written questions by senators, McConnell said.

No action can be taken, though, until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi transmits the articles of impeachment -- one for abuse of power, the other for obstruction of Congress -- to the Senate.

Pelosi has withheld the articles since the House impeachment vote in December, in a bid to press Republicans for fair trial rules.

"They sat on the papers now for three weeks," he said, following the first party lunch since a holiday break. "I hope that'll end this week."
"We'll get around to the discussion of witnesses."