The Senate is gearing up for a contentious debate over the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Democrats are poised to swiftly move to dismiss the articles, while Republicans are adamant about a full trial.
The House transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Tuesday, with senators set to be sworn in as jurors on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not outlined the trial's procedural handling. However, there are indications that the Senate may move to dismiss the case before a full trial, with Democrats potentially passing a motion to dismiss or table the articles on a simple majority vote.
Despite the ongoing debate, the likelihood of a conviction remains slim, as it would require a two-thirds majority vote.
Senate Republicans are seeking a time agreement with Democrats to allow floor debate and procedural motions. If no agreement is reached, the process's duration is uncertain, with potential procedural delays that could be curtailed by the presiding officer.
Mayorkas is the first Cabinet secretary to face impeachment in nearly 150 years, with House Republicans voting to impeach him in February over his handling of the southern border.
Democrats have criticized the impeachment as a political maneuver, emphasizing that policy disagreements should not warrant a constitutional impeachment of a Cabinet official.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has underscored the Senate's responsibility to consider the impeachment articles seriously, opposing any move to table them.
While some hard-right Republican senators aim for a full trial, their efforts may not garner enough support.
The Senate's decision on whether to dismiss or proceed with a trial may not strictly align with party lines, with potential pressure on Democratic senators facing tough reelection races.
The White House has characterized the impeachment effort as baseless, highlighting Republican obstruction of a bipartisan border deal as evidence of their lack of commitment to border security.
As the Senate prepares for deliberations, the outcome of the impeachment trial against Mayorkas remains uncertain, with both parties entrenched in their positions.
