Everything we can see from seat 94 in the balcony above the chamber

Chief Justice of Supreme Court John Roberts arrives to preside over the Senate impeachment trial, January 21, 2020. Photo by Sarah Silbiger

It’s Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy.

What happens next in the impeachment trial
By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews ([link removed])
Correspondent

Greetings from the Senate Radio-TV Gallery, where PBS NewsHour has set up a very small base camp as we enter and exit the impeachment trial happening in the chamber about 30 feet away.

From seat number 94 in the balcony above the chamber, our team has been able to see and cover the trial from a fascinating perch.

First, let’s talk about today. And what you can see inside the chamber that may not be clear on the Senate-controlled camera feed of impeachment.
* Senators are largely focused and serious. The chamber is usually a place of chatter, backslapping and buzz. But today, with all 100 senators seated and considering impeachment, there was near silence and almost unified attention on the words of the speakers arguing for and against the president.
* Yet some senators stand out. Several senators are being especially alert, keeping what look to be detailed notes throughout the session. Those we saw: Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Chris Coons, D-Del.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; James Lankford, R-Okla.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Martha McSally, R-Ariz.; Mitt Romney, R-Utah; and Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
* All electronics have been banned from the chamber. Senators must leave phones at the door. But there are papers and documents everywhere, including what appear to be impeachment binders prepared by some Senate offices.
* As might be expected from any hourslong series of lectures, there are yawns and a few senators (and many staffers) who have at times seemed to struggle to stay fully awake and alert. No one entirely nodded off that we saw, but a few times we spied a slight bobbing head signal the fight to stay awake.
* Some senators are getting fidgety as the hours wear on and they must observe in silence. One senator kept checking a spot on his tie, another seemed to gaze at his fingers for a good amount of time. Still others shift in their seats repeatedly. The lack of devices is an unusual change for most lawmakers.

Next, let’s go over what happens next in the process.
* Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: We expect three days of presentations by House Democrats, arguing for the removal of the president. Each day is expected to be roughly eight hours long.
* Saturday: The president’s team begins its defense. They also have a total of 24 hours to present arguments, but it is not clear if they will use that time.
* Next Monday and Tuesday: If the president’s defense team uses all of its time, they will continue and finish their presentations on these days.
* Next Wednesday and Thursday: Senators will get the chance to ask written questions, likely on these two days. (The schedule is flexible, see above.) The chief justice will read the questions aloud for either the defense or charging (House) team to answer.

After that: There are several possibilities, but all revolve around the Senate deciding whether it would like to call more witnesses. If the Senate decides no witnesses are necessary, the trial could finish by the end of next week.

FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK

By Alex D’Elia, @ ([link removed]) AlexDEliaNews ([link removed])
Politics production assistant

3 organizers for 3 candidates, under one roof: This is campaigning in Iowa ([link removed]) -- Jan. 20. Organizers for three different Democratic presidential candidates -- Warren, Buttigieg, and Biden -- are all working at the same farmhouse in Iowa. Why it matters: With two weeks to go until the Iowa caucus, the story of camaraderie comes as competition for the top spot gets more cutthroat. -- The New York Times

#MidnightMoscowMitch trends amid criticism of McConnell's proposed impeachment trial rules ([link removed]) -- Jan. 21. The Senate majority leader proposed impeachment trial rules that would give each side 24 hours across two days to present opening arguments, meaning lawmakers would have to stay until the early morning hours. Why it matters: Due to backlash -- including from some Republican senators -- argument periods have been extended to three legislative days each. -- The Hill

Supreme Court refuses to fast-track a challenge to the Affordable Care Act ([link removed]) -- Jan. 21. The Democratic-led House of Representatives and some states were hoping that the justices would reach a decision on the Obama-era law by June. Why it matters: The status of American health care continues to be a top issue for voters ahead of the 2020 election. -- The Washington Post

First case of deadly China virus identified in U.S. ([link removed]) -- Jan. 21. The World Health Organization, as well as Health and Human Services SecretaryAlex Azar,, will soon decide whether to declare a public health emergency. Why it matters: Infections in the U.S. are expected to rise, though officials believe that the overall risk to the American public is low. -- POLITICO

Chief Justice John Roberts' fashion choice: No stripes ([link removed]) -- Jan. 21. The chief justice wore his black robe without embellishment during day one of the Senate impeachment trial. Why it matters: Observers will be comparing Roberts to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who presided over the Clinton impeachment trial -- and who wore four gold stripes on each arm. -- USA Today


#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Kate Grumke, @KGrumke ([link removed])
Politics producer

Today, our HTD team is covering the beginning of President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. Both Democrats and Republicans have said former President Bill Clinton’s case is the precedent for this trial, and both groups are looking to those events for clues on timing and procedure of the trial. Clinton’s impeachment happened around this time of year in 1998 and 1999.

Our question: Our question: From start to finish, how many days did Clinton’s Senate trial last?

Send your answers to or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Who received the articles of impeachment from Republicans during the Clinton impeachment?

Answer: The secretary of the Senate, Gary Sisco.

Congratulations to our winner (for a second week in a row): Barry Weinstein!!

Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your Inbox next week.

[link removed]


** What we learned from the 1st day of Trump’s Senate impeachment trial ([link removed])
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