Congress is balancing former President Donald Trumpâs impeachment trial and seeking to pass COVID-19 relief at the same time, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is saying âwe can do both at once.â
âIt was said a few weeks ago in all the punditry and everywhere else that the impeachment trial would throw a wrench into President Bidenâs early agenda. We are here today to say we are not letting that happen. We can do both at once,â Schumer said at Tuesdayâs press conference.
âTo the pundits who said we canât do both at once: We say you are wrong. We can and we are. The bottom line is simple the Senate is moving full steam ahead on a bold plan to get this country out of the crisis.â
He also said, âMake no mistake: Senate Democrats will not dither, dilute or delay because the COVID responsibility is so real.â
Democrats plan to hold a procedural vote on Tuesday, seeking to push President Joe Bidenâs $1.9 trillion COVID-relief package.
Watch Schumerâs comments below:
Schumer touched on the impeachment trial expected to begin on Tuesday, âThe Senate has a solemn responsibility to try and hold Donald Trump accountable for the most serious charges ever, ever levied against a president.â
He addressed those who have made calls to âmove onâ and say âthat brings unity,â as he called that âfalse.â
âWhen you have such a serious charge, sweeping it under the rug will not bring unity,â Schumer said. âIt will keep the sore open, the wounds open. You need truth and accountability.â
Watch the video below:
Trumpâs impeachment trial will be historic. When the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on the charge of âincitement of insurrectionâ â following pro-Trump protesters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 â it was the first time in U.S. history a president was impeached twice. The riot occurred after Trump spoke at a rally in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, as the trial kicks off, there will be a four-hour debate. There will then be a Senate vote on the constitutionality of an impeachment trial.