Does McConnell even have to bring impeachment to the floor?

[redstateblues]

Once the House votes too impeach.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Looks like it-- impeachment is out of his hands.

[marylandblue]

2. There's nothing in the Constitution that requires it.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. It's not crystal clear- once house approves articles of Impeachment, "managers" take over

"Managers" from the house come to the senate to present the prosecution side of the case for impeachment- the Constitution is not clear if normal rules of the Senate apply, or if the impeachment process described in the Constitution take precedence.

Either way, if the house approves articles of impeachment, and Mitch refuses to allow a trial, we will have a no afire Constitutional crisis, which I don't think will help the GOP, especially if GOP house members vote yes on the articles.

[uponit7771]

3. **** NO !!! **** and most likely wont, that's why we should start impeachment NOW and let America

... see the bastards who are going to help the Russians help Red Don.

[caraher]

4. Right, he'll make up some rule the way he did the Biden rule

Probably will quote some Democrat saying it has to wait for the 2020 election

[sweetloukillbot]

5. The House impeaches, the Senate holds the trial

I don't think McConnell can just say he's not going to hold the trial...

[Jarqui]

6. I'm not sure ... I doubt McConnell will unless the Democrats

make a much better case to the public than they have to date.

Even then, he might stiff them.

Can the Senate Decline to Try an Impeachment Case?
https://www.lawfareblog.com/can-senate-decline-try-impeachment-case

I think the Democrats best course of action is to drag Trump through the mud of the Mueller evidence with the House "evaluating where they should impeach" via hearings for the next 18 months.

[onenote]

7. There are specific rules governing how the Senate is to proceed once the House impeaches.

There are specific Senate Rules (only changeable by a 2/3 vote) governing impeachment trials in the Senate. Under those rules, once the House adopts articles of impeachment, chooses managers for the trial and presents the articles to the Senate, the Senate is required to convene at 1 pm the next day to begin consideration of the impeachment and is required to continue to consider the matter until a "final resolution."

While the defense could slow roll the process by calling an endless stream of witnesses, in the end a vote will happen. Consider also that the trial will be presided over by Chief Justice Roberts. While I'm no fan of Roberts, he's demonstrated a few times that he understands history and is concerned enough about his own legacy as to not make a shambles out of a process (presidential impeachment trial) that has only occurred twice in the nation's history.

I don't take Bauer's speculation of how McConnell could short circuit the process seriously. I'm not even sure he'd have the votes to change the rules.

[NYMinute]

9. McTurtle will have to hold the trial

This is not something that is in the hands of the majority leader.

Also, it will be politically radioactive if McTurtle stonewalled. He would rather hold the trial and acquit than not hold a trial at all.

[elleng]

10. OH DEAR, if he DOES, trump may get MAD at him, imagine THAT!

The CHIEF JUSTICE CONDUCTS the trial.

The Senate becomes jury and judge, except in the case of presidential impeachment trials when the chief justice of the United States presides. The Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict, and the penalty for an impeached official is removal from office.

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Senate_Impeachment_Role.htm

[Takket]

11. I don't think he would do that anyway

No trial looks a hell of a lot worse for his guy than trial and acquittal.

[tritsofme]

12. I've wondered how he might weasel out. Could he just demand briefs from the House managers?

And call a vote hours after they are delivered?

There are standing rules for how the Senate should handle an impeachment trial, and the Clinton impeachment is a perfect roadmap for how the process should work...but we know how much McConnell respects tradition and norms...