Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, General Milley, thank you for your service. Thank you for your testimony here today.

I am concerned about what is going to happen to them now.

The subcommittee will come to order.

Obviously, the thing that most worries me is the threat to the homeland and obviously their escape would be very troubling for our security, as well as that of our allies.

If a President cheats in his effort at reelection, trusting the democratic process to serve as a check to that election is no remedy at all.

If we set that precedent, if we decide the president is above the law, then we will no longer live in a democracy. We will live in a dictatorship trading the values of Madison for the values of Moscow.

Impeachable offenses as Alexander Hamilton explained are, 'abuses of public trust, injuries done to society itself.' High crimes, in other words, are abuses of power committed against the people. This is exactly what President Trump has…

Since our founders ratified the constitution in 1788, the President of the United States has had a duty to advance our national interests, not his own personal or political interest.

If a President cheats in his efforts at reelection, trusting the Democratic process to serve as a check through that election is no remedy at all.

This is not about a policy disagreement. This is about an obligation we have to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The President, and others acting on his behalf, demanded that President Zelensky publicly announce an investigation of the President's chief political rival.

The obstruction came from the chairman of the Intel Committee.

The President put a hold on military aid to Ukraine.

The President engaged in a smear campaign against Ambassador Yovanovitch and then fired her because she was an anticorruption fighter.

This series of events was described by Trump officials, Ambassador Bolton to be particular, as a drug deal.

Let's not sell out the country for our own desire, which is exactly what we are charged with protecting our country from President Trump doing.

It is wrong for the United States President to use his position for himself. It is wrong.

We are withholding the military aid because the Ukrainians need to investigate 2016.