Political Quotes

“I send a question to the desk. The CHIEF JUSTICE. Thank you. Senator Murkowski's question is for the House managers: In early October, Mr. Cipollone sent the letter saying none of the subpoenas issued by the House were appropriately authorized and thus invalid. When the House passed their resolution authorizing the impeachment inquiry, and granting subpoena power to the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, the body could have addressed the deficiency the White House pointed out and proclaimed those subpoenas as valid exercises of the impeachment inquiry. Alternatively, the House could have reissued the subpoenas after the resolution was adopted. Please explain why neither of those actions took place. Ms. Manager GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Chief Justice, Senator, I appreciate your question. These arguments, plain and simple, are a red herring. The House's impeachment inquiry and its subpoenas were fully authorized by the Constitution, House rules, and precedent. It is for the House, not the President, to decide how to conduct an impeachment inquiry. The House's autonomy to structure its own proceedings for impeachment inquiry is rooted in two provisions of article I of the Constitution. First, article I vests the House with the ``sole Power of Impeachment.'' It contains no requirements--no requirements--as to how the House must carry out that responsibility. Second, article I states that the House is empowered to determine the rules of proceedings.…”