House files impeachment proceedings resolution

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) filed a resolution on Tuesday formalizing the impeachment inquiry procedure against President Trump.

Details: The resolution directs relevant committees to continue their inquiry "into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump." It calls for open hearings and demands the House Intelligence Committee to draft a report outlining findings and recommendations.

The big picture: The resolution comes as the administration and congressional Republicans have tried to dismiss the impeachment inquiry, saying the lack of a formal vote on the measure goes against long-standing precedent.

The House will vote on the measure Thursday.
Of note: The resolution gives committees' ranking Republicans the ability to subpoena witnesses, should the committee chair agree.

What they're saying: Reps. Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney issued a statement explaining: “The resolution provides rules for the format of open hearings in the House Intelligence Committee, including staff-led questioning of witnesses, and it authorizes the public release of deposition transcripts.