US Senate leader ready to pass impeachment trial rules without Democrats January 07, 2020 at 07:03PM

"We have the votes, once the impeachment trial has begun, to pass a resolution (setting up) what could best be described as a phase one," that lays out arguments of the prosecution and defense, and a period of written questions by senators, McConnell said. No action can be taken, though, until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi transmits the articles of impeachment -- one for abuse of power, the other for obstruction of Congress -- to the Senate.