Bolton impeachment testimony could be a test for Chief Justice Roberts
Early in the day, during a short break from the proceedings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reflected some pessimism about the chances of reaching the 51-vote threshold Democrats need to call witnesses.
“It’s an uphill fight,” Schumer told reporters. “Is it more likely than not? Probably no.” He tried to put on a good face, adding that there was a “decent, good chance” of getting witnesses.
If all three of those senators were to vote in favor of calling Bolton, it would likely produce a 50-50 tie. That could put Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the impeachment trial, in a position to decide the matter.
Most observers of Roberts and his tenure as chief justice believe he would like to avoid making a substantive ruling, especially on a matter as politically fraught as the one of whether to call witnesses. If he declined to rule, any measure that ended in a tie would fail to pass.
Story continues
Bolton impeachment testimony could be a test for Chief Justice Roberts
Early in the day, during a short break from the proceedings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reflected some pessimism about the chances of reaching the 51-vote threshold Democrats need to call witnesses.
“It’s an uphill fight,” Schumer told reporters. “Is it more likely than not? Probably no.” He tried to put on a good face, adding that there was a “decent, good chance” of getting witnesses.
If all three of those senators were to vote in favor of calling Bolton, it would likely produce a 50-50 tie. That could put Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the impeachment trial, in a position to decide the matter.
Most observers of Roberts and his tenure as chief justice believe he would like to avoid making a substantive ruling, especially on a matter as politically fraught as the one of whether to call witnesses. If he declined to rule, any measure that ended in a tie would fail to pass.
Story continues
Bolton impeachment testimony could be a test for Chief Justice Roberts