Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday urged House Democrats to "see reason and pull back from this precipice" of impeaching President Donald Trump and called for following the rules of the Clinton impeachment in any Senate trial.
"All eyes today are on the House of Representatives," McConnell said on the Senate floor as the House began its impeachment debate.
"The country is waiting to see whether these House Democrats will give in to the temptation that every other House in modern history has managed to resist, and misuse the solemn process of impeachment to blow off partisan steam.
"I hope House Democrats see reason and pull back from this precipice," McConnell said.
"But if they proceed, I hope the Democratic leader [Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.] and I can sit down soon and honor the template that was unanimously agreed to the last time."
The House is expected to vote later Wednesday on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, against President Trump.
McConnell on Tuesday ripped an outline for impeachment that Schumer, the Senate minority leader, presented two days earlier that sought to call four witnesses — including former National Security Adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney — in a Senate trial.
McConnell also attacked Schumer for not speaking with him directly — versus sending a letter, which was released to the news media — saying the Democrat had "decided to short-circuit the customary and collegial process."
The majority leader hit Schumer again for the leaked document on Tuesday.
"His decision to try to angrily negotiate through the press is unfortunate," McConnell said. "But no amount of bluster will change the simple fact that we already have a unanimous bipartisan precedent."
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