Angus King

I just, you know, was talking to some of my colleagues last night and I just got the feeling that the Republican leader was really putting the pressure on. Although, it now looks like there may be enough votes. I don't know how many there…

But I've never heard anyone question whether he was straightforward and honest.

Ninety-five percent are saying there ought to be a real trial.

I just think it would be very hard to go home and say to your constituents, I didn't want to see any more facts.

If they vote -- if the president is acquitted on both of these counts, then the impeachment clause is gone.

The precedent of the president being able to stiff-arm the whole process will haunt us for 100 years.

If the president is acquitted and nothing happens on this, it basically renders the impeachment clause a nullity.

I think and I thought for some time that Article Two, the obstruction of Congress, is actually more important and stronger than Article One.

I thought they did a very effective job. I thought Adam Schiff was right on tonight. He was very strong.

If the articles -- if articles of impeachment come from the House, I'm a juror.

The whistle-blower did a public service, which is exactly what people are supposed to do.

The president feels that he is the state, you know, like Louis the XIV, I am the state.

There has to be an inquiry to get to the facts surrounding this -- what looks like at least an attempted transaction.

And the president said, yes, but first I have a favor though. And -- that's pretty powerful evidence.

The president unilaterally cut off the aid without any consultation with anybody that I've ever heard of. Apparently, State Department was against it. Defense Department was against it.

Inspectors general are very important people in the United States government. Their job is to be a watchdog. Their job is to be independent of politics, of the people who are running the agency.

This is exactly what the framers were worried about. They didn't want a monarch.

This isn't the way our system is designed.

It's a terrible way to govern.

Everybody wants to get to a solution here, and I just wish the president would put a little faith in the process.

Well, I am unclear on what it actually means. But the concept is that he's still trying to bargain about opening the government.

I can't leave the floor without complimenting the Senator from Alaska for her usual thoughtful analysis and constructive approach to dealing with this issue. I am proud to serve with the Senator on the Energy and Natural Resources…

No, I think there's a problem, not a crisis.

The bill that passed has $1.6 billion. The one that passed last year had $1.3 billion. You know, that's a lot of money and does specify a whole series of things but, again, part of the burden on the administration is to come forward and…

I think there is a way out by saying, OK, park rangers have nothing to do with the wall. Food stamps have nothing to do with the wall. Let's fund those.