McConnell, who leads the Republican majority in the Senate, told reporters Tuesday he expected the Senate to receive articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, enabling them to take preliminary steps toward beginning the trial. For example, before the trial can begin, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts must swear in senators as jurors.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said on Tuesday the House would vote on advancing the two articles of impeachment to the Senate on Wednesday.
If all goes according to schedule, opening arguments in the trial could begin next Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) noted. Graham and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said McConnell's trial plan will guarantee votes on calling witnesses and hearing new evidence, Reuters reported.
McConnell noted there was little to no sentiment among Republicans in the Senate to move to dismiss the articles of impeachment without first hearing arguments, which House Democrats have long feared would quickly end their effort to punish the president.
Trump was impeached by the House nearly a month ago for abuse of power, for attempting to pressure the Ukrainian government into a quid pro quo agreement regarding military aid to Kiev and the opening of an investigation by Kiev into former US Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. A second article of impeachment is for obstruction of Congress, for Trump interfering with the House's inquiry, most notably by directing the executive branch not to cooperate with the investigation.