By Lisa Desjardins 

[link removed]


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HERE'S THE DEAL
IMPEACHMENT EDITION
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Oct. 29, 2019


Greetings from Washington, where impeachment developments continue at a brisk pace. And sleep for Congressional staff, witnesses and reporters is on the decline.

For the latest, you can watch our video summary ([link removed]) . Or keep reading.

National security officer raised concerns about Ukraine policy, phone call
* Tuesday’s star witness was Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a career Army officer who now serves as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council.
* In hisopening statement ([link removed]) , Vindman testified that he twice raised concerns about President Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, concluding that it was improper for the president to request an investigation into a U.S. citizen, Joe Biden.
* And he stated that Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, encouraged investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election. That is contrary to previous testimony from Sondland.
* The New York Times reported that Vindman wrote a memo in August totry to unfreeze the aid to Ukraine ([link removed]) that had been put on hold, but President Trump refused to sign it.

December may be a pivotal time
* House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D- Md., confirmed yesterday that the House of Representatives may have to work past its target recess date of December 12.
* Democrats caution that there is no clear schedule yet, but there is increasing chatter that the final weeks of December will be pivotal.

House Democrats propose impeachment rules
* House members plan to vote Thursday on a new Democratic framework for the impeachment process.
* Their resolution would allow for a two-step committee process: First, public hearings by the House Intelligence Committee, which would report its findings to the House Judiciary Committee. That committee would then hold public proceedings to determine if there is enough evidence to impeach the president.
* Other committees investigating the president could also submit reports to the Judiciary Committee.
* During the Judiciary proceedings, President Trump or his legal team would be allowed to participate, with the right to cross-examine witnesses and object to testimony.
* Republicans would not be able to call their own witnesses or issue subpoenas without agreement from some Democrats.

Tensions rise over whistleblower’s identity, safety
* Democrats expressed concern ([link removed]) for the safety of the whistleblower involved in the Ukraine case and questioned Republicans’ intent, as reports surfaced ([link removed]) that the person is facing death threats.
* Meanwhile, Republicanscalled for the whistleblower to testify, ([link removed]) arguing they should be allowed to question that person.

Impeachment witness asks court to sort out if he should testify
* Former White House national security aide Charles Kupperman filed a lawsuit ([link removed]) Friday, stating he could not comply with both the House subpoena to testify and the president’s order to decline.
* As he waited for a ruling, Kupperman did not appear at a deposition Monday. A judge hears his case Thursday.

Democrats win court ruling over Mueller material. Trump administration appeals.
* Federal Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled ([link removed]) that the Department of Justice must hand House Democrats grand jury materials that had been redacted from the Mueller report by October 30. DOJ is appealing the ruling.
* For Democrats, the opinion was key because it concluded that their impeachment work is Constitutionally-based and, effectively, a judicial proceeding which should be enforced by the courts.

New Moments and Documents
* READ: Democrats’ impeachment plans
+ House Democrats’ resolution setting impeachment procedures ([link removed])
+ Democrats’ fact sheet ([link removed]) about the resolution
+ Democrats’ FAQ ([link removed]) about their impeachment process

* READ: Opening statement ([link removed]) to lawmakers by Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman

* READ: Court ruling ([link removed]) ordering that DOJ hand over more Mueller material to Democrats

* READ: Legal filing by Charles Kupperman ([link removed]) asking a court to determine if he can testify

* WATCH: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, remarks ([link removed]) yesterday about Democrats’ impeachment process

* WATCH: Rep. WATCH: Intelligence Chairman ([link removed]) Adam Schiff remarks ([link removed]) about Charles Kupperman, after he declined to testify Monday

* WATCH: Rep. WATCH: Judy Woodruff’s interview Vice President Mike Pence ([link removed])
+ Full interview ([link removed]) . Impeachment section begins at 9:30
+ One clip about how Pence views impeachment ([link removed])

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