Nine Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee demanded Thursday that Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., schedule a hearing for their witnesses during the impeachment hearings — otherwise proving a "denial of fundamental fairness and due process" for President Donald Trump.
"As the committee continues to conduct the Democrats' partisan and one-sided 'impeachment inquiry,' there are still important perspectives and serious issues that you have prevented the committee from examining," the Republicans said in a letter to Schiff and copied to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also D-Calif.
"We will inform you of the witnesses we intend to call once you have provided a hearing date and time to which we agree.
"Your failure to schedule this hearing shall constitute evidence of your denial of fundamental fairness and due process," the lawmakers said.
The letter was signed by ranking Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., and these other members: Michael Turner, Ohio; Chris Stewart, Utah; Will Hurd, Texas; Jim Jordan, Ohio; Michael Conaway, Texas; Brad Wenstrup, Ohio; Elise Stefanik, New York; and John Ratcliffe, Texas.
Committee Republicans have long slammed the probe for being "shrouded in secrecy," arguing that Schiff has barred them from calling witnesses and has restricted their questioning during testimony.
They said Pelosi promised that Democrats would "treat the president with fairness" when she announced the inquiry in September and cited House rules that would allow minority members to summon their own witnesses.
"You have repeatedly prevented Republicans from fully and fairly examining issues central to the Democrats' 'impeachment inquiry,'" the lawmakers told Schiff in the letter. "We exercise our right to convene a hearing with witnesses selected by the minority to testify."
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