Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives: Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States/Matters of Committee

HEARINGS

For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 116th Congress and pursuant to H. Res. 660, the following hearings were used to develop H. Res. 755:

1. "The Impeachment Inquiry into President Donald J. Trump: Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment," held before the Judiciary Committee on December 4, 2019. During this hearing, the Committee heard testimony from: Noah Feldman, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law and Director, Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law at Harvard Law School; Pamela S. Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford Law School; Michael Gerhardt, Burton Craige Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina School of Law; and Jonathan Turley, J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at the George Washington University Law School. In this hearing, the witnesses testified on the permissible grounds for presidential impeachment.

2. "The Impeachment Inquiry into President Donald J. Trump: Presentations from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Judiciary Committee," held before the Judiciary Committee on December 9, 2019. During this hearing, the Committee heard presentations from: Barry Berke, Majority Counsel for the House Committee on the Judiciary; Daniel Goldman, Majority Counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Stephen Castor Minority Counsel for the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Pursuant to H. Res. 660, in this hearing, Majority and Minority Counsels for the House Committee on the Judiciary presented opening statements, followed by presentations of evidence from Majority and Minority Counsels for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On December 11, 12, and 13, 2019, the Committee met in open session to consider H. Res. 755. On December 13, the Committee ordered the resolution favorably reported to the House with an amendment. Pursuant to clause 5 of Rule XVI, the vote on reporting the resolution was divided into separate votes on the articles. The Committee approved Article I (abuse of power) by a rollcall vote of 23 to 17 and it approved Article II (obstruction of Congress) by a rollcall vote of 23 to 17, in each case a quorum being present.

COMMITTEE VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the following rollcall votes occurred during the Committee's consideration H. Res. 755:

1. A motion by Ms. Lofgren to lay on the table Mr. Collins' appeal of the ruling of the chair that the Committee was not required to hold a minority hearing day before considering articles of impeachment, was agreed to by a vote of 23 to 17.

Roll Call No. 1
Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Subject: Motion to table

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.  
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)      
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)      
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)      
Steve Cohen (TN-09)      
Hank Johnson (GA-04)      
Ted Deutch (FL-22)      
Karen Bass (CA-37)      
Cedric Richmond (LA-02) ✓;      
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)      
David Cicilline (RI-01)      
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)      
Ted Lieu (CA-33)        
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)      
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)      
Val Demings (FL-10)      
Lou Correa (CA-46)      
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)      
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)      
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)      
Lucy McBath (GA-06)      
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)      
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)      
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)      
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
Doug Collins (GA-27)      
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)      
Steve Chabot (OH-01)      
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)      
Jim Jordan (OH-04)      
Ken Buck (CO-04)      
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)      
Martha Roby (AL-02)      
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)      
Mike Johnson (LA-04)      
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)      
Tom McClintock (CA-04)      
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)      
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)      
Ben Cline (VA-06)      
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)      
Greg Steube (FL-17)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
TOTAL 23 17    

2. An amendment by Mr. Jordan to strike article I from the resolution, was defeated by a rollcall vote of 17 to 23.

Roll Call No. 2

Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Ammendment #1 ( ) to ANS H RES 755 offered by Rep Jordan

PASSED

FAILED


  AYES NOS PRES.  
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)      
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)      
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)      
Steve Cohen (TN-09)      
Hank Johnson (GA-04)      
Ted Deutch (FL-22)      
Karen Bass (CA-37)      
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)      
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)      
David Cicilline (RI-01)      
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)      
Ted Lieu (CA-33)        
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)      
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)      
Val Demings (FL-10)      
Lou Correa (CA-46)      
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)      
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)      
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)      
Lucy McBath (GA-06)      
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)      
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)      
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)      
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
Doug Collins (GA-27)      
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)      
Steve Chabot (OH-01)      
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)      
Jim Jordan (OH-04)      
Ken Buck (CO-04)      
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)      
Martha Roby (AL-02)      
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)      
Mike Johnson (LA-04)      
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)      
Tom McClintock (CA-04)      
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)      
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)      
Ben Cline (VA-06)      
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)      
Greg Steube (FL-17)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
TOTAL 17 23    

3. An amendment by Mr. Gaetz to replace a reference to the investigation into Joseph R. Biden with Burisma and Hunter Biden, was defeated by a rollcall vote of 17 to 23.

Roll Call No. 3

Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Ammendment #2 ( ) to ANS H RES 755 offered by Rep Gaetz

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)    
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)    
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)    
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)    
Steve Cohen (TN-09)    
Hank Johnson (GA-04)    
Ted Deutch (FL-22)    
Karen Bass (CA-37)    
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)    
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)    
David Cicilline (RI-01)    
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)    
Ted Lieu (CA-33)      
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)    
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)    
Val Demings (FL-10)    
Lou Correa (CA-46)    
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)    
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)    
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)    
Lucy McBath (GA-06)    
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)    
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)    
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)    
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
Doug Collins (GA-27)    
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)    
Steve Chabot (OH-01)    
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)    
Jim Jordan (OH-04)    
Ken Buck (CO-04)    
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)    
Martha Roby (AL-02)    
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)    
Mike Johnson (LA-04)    
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)    
Tom McClintock (CA-04)    
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)    
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)    
Ben Cline (VA-06)    
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)    
Greg Steube (FL-17)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
TOTAL 17 23  

4. An amendment by Mr. Biggs to insert a section asserting foreign aid was released after President Zelensky signed anti-corruption measures into law, was defeated by a rollcall vote of 17 to 23.

Roll Call No. 4

Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Ammendment #3 ( ) to ANS H RES 755 offered by Rep Biggs

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)    
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)    
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)    
Steve Cohen (TN-09)    
Hank Johnson (GA-04)    
Ted Deutch (FL-22)    
Karen Bass (CA-37)    
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)    
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)    
David Cicilline (RI-01)    
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)    
Ted Lieu (CA-33)      
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)    
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)    
Val Demings (FL-10)    
Lou Correa (CA-46)    
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)    
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)    
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)    
Lucy McBath (GA-06)    
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)    
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)    
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)    
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
Doug Collins (GA-27)    
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)    
Steve Chabot (OH-01)    
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)    
Jim Jordan (OH-04)    
Ken Buck (CO-04)    
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)    
Martha Roby (AL-02)    
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)    
Mike Johnson (LA-04)    
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)    
Tom McClintock (CA-04)    
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)    
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)    
Ben Cline (VA-06)    
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)    
Greg Steube (FL-17)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
TOTAL 17 23  

5. An amendment by Mr. Reschenthaler to strike article II from the resolution, was defeated by a rollcall vote of 17 to 23.

Roll Call No. 5

Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Ammendment #4 ( ) to ANS H RES 755 offered by Rep Reschenthaler

PASSED

FAILED


  AYES NOS PRES.
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)    
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)    
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)    
Steve Cohen (TN-09)    
Hank Johnson (GA-04)    
Ted Deutch (FL-22)    
Karen Bass (CA-37)    
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)    
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)    
David Cicilline (RI-01)    
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)    
Ted Lieu (CA-33)      
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)    
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)    
Val Demings (FL-10)    
Lou Correa (CA-46)    
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)    
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)    
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)    
Lucy McBath (GA-06)    
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)    
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)    
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)    
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
Doug Collins (GA-27)    
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)    
Steve Chabot (OH-01)    
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)    
Jim Jordan (OH-04)    
Ken Buck (CO-04)    
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)    
Martha Roby (AL-02)    
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)    
Mike Johnson (LA-04)    
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)    
Tom McClintock (CA-04)    
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)    
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)    
Ben Cline (VA-06)    
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)    
Greg Steube (FL-17)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
TOTAL 17 23  

6. An amendment by Mr. Jordan to strike language asserting President Trump’s conduct has demonstrated that he warrants “impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States,” was defeated by a rollcall vote of 17 to 23.

Roll Call No. 6

Date: 12/12/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Ammendment #5 ( ) to ANS H RES 755 offered by Rep Jordan

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)    
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)    
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)    
Steve Cohen (TN-09)    
Hank Johnson (GA-04)    
Ted Deutch (FL-22)    
Karen Bass (CA-37)    
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)    
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)    
David Cicilline (RI-01)    
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)    
Ted Lieu (CA-33)      
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)    
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)    
Val Demings (FL-10)    
Lou Correa (CA-46)    
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)    
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)    
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)    
Lucy McBath (GA-06)    
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)    
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)    
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)    
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
Doug Collins (GA-27)    
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)    
Steve Chabot (OH-01)    
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)    
Jim Jordan (OH-04)    
Ken Buck (CO-04)    
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)    
Martha Roby (AL-02)    
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)    
Mike Johnson (LA-04)    
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)    
Tom McClintock (CA-04)    
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)    
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)    
Ben Cline (VA-06)    
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)    
Greg Steube (FL-17)    
  AYES NOS PRES.
TOTAL 17 23  

7. Upon demand that the vote to report the resolution, as amended, favorably to the House be divided into two propositions pursuant clause 5 of Rule XVI, Article I of the resolution (abuse of power) was agreed to by a rollcall vote of 23 to 17.

Roll Call No. 7

Date: 12/13/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Final Passage on H. Res 755 Article 1

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.  
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)      
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)      
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)      
Steve Cohen (TN-09)      
Hank Johnson (GA-04)      
Ted Deutch (FL-22)      
Karen Bass (CA-37)      
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)      
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)      
David Cicilline (RI-01)      
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)      
Ted Lieu (CA-33)        
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)      
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)      
Val Demings (FL-10)      
Lou Correa (CA-46)      
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)      
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)      
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)      
Lucy McBath (GA-06)      
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)      
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)      
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)      
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
Doug Collins (GA-27)      
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)      
Steve Chabot (OH-01)      
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)      
Jim Jordan (OH-04)      
Ken Buck (CO-04)      
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)      
Martha Roby (AL-02)      
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)      
Mike Johnson (LA-04)      
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)      
Tom McClintock (CA-04)      
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)      
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)      
Ben Cline (VA-06)      
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)      
Greg Steube (FL-17)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
TOTAL 17 23    

8. Upon demand that the vote to report the resolution, as amended, favorably to the House be divided into two propositions pursuant clause 5 of Rule XVI, Article II of the resolution (obstruction of Congress) was agreed to by a rollcall vote of 23 to 17.

Roll Call No. 8

Date: 12/13/19

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

House of Representatives
116th Congress

Final Passage on H. Res 755 Article II.

PASSED

FAILED

  AYES NOS PRES.  
Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)      
Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)      
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)      
Steve Cohen (TN-09)      
Hank Johnson (GA-04)      
Ted Deutch (FL-22)      
Karen Bass (CA-37)      
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)      
Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08)      
David Cicilline (RI-01)      
Eric Swalwell (CA-15)      
Ted Lieu (CA-33)        
Jamie Raskin (MD-08)      
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)      
Val Demings (FL-10)      
Lou Correa (CA-46)      
Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)      
Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)      
Joseph Neguse (CO-02)      
Lucy McBath (GA-06)      
Greg Stanton (AZ-09)      
Madeleine Dean (PA-04)      
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26)      
Veronica Escobar (TX-16)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
Doug Collins (GA-27)      
James F. Sensenbrenner (WI-05)      
Steve Chabot (OH-01)      
Louie Gohmert (TX-01)      
Jim Jordan (OH-04)      
Ken Buck (CO-04)      
John Ratcliffe (TX-04)      
Martha Roby (AL-02)      
Matt Gaetz (FL-01)      
Mike Johnson (LA-04)      
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)      
Tom McClintock (CA-04)      
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)      
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)      
Ben Cline (VA-06)      
Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)      
Greg Steube (FL-17)      
  AYES NOS PRES.  
TOTAL 17 23    

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the descriptive portions of this report.

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, are inapplicable because this resolution does not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax expenditures. Additionally, the Committee believes that the resolution will have no budget effect.

DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

No provision of H. Res. 755 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the federal government known to be duplicative of another federal program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Committee states that pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 755 recommends articles of impeachment for President Donald J. Trump.

ADVISORY ON EARMARKS

In accordance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 755 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI.