Senators must honor their oaths at Trump impeachment trial, just like I did for Clinton

To all who serve in the world’s greatest deliberative body and believe it must live up to that description: Don't let history’s verdict be a question mark or an asterisk.

The framers of the Constitution purposely and thoughtfully put the solemn responsibility of impeachment trials in the hands of the Senate, where they envisioned people of courage and conviction weighing facts and evidence.

I worry that the Senate is falling short of its responsibility. So far, the Senate has declined to seek further evidence and papers, on a party line vote. Indeed, the impeachment trial has dawned with a series of party line votes, as was the case in the House. To be clear, the Senate is not the House. It’s supposed to be an institution where — particularly on issues of process, if not ideology — common ground is identified through careful compromise.

It was familiar to hear Chief Justice John Roberts invoke the words “world’s greatest deliberative body” as an admonition to the House members presenting the case and the legal team defending President Donald Trump. But it should be just as much a warning to the senators themselves: Senators have the chance to affirm what the framers envisioned and — even if it doesn’t change anyone’s mind — secure all relevant evidence and make an informed decision to defend the Constitution and the republic.