The US Senate formally received the articles on impeachment from the House on Thursday.
The whole process has been more colorful, and dramatic, than your standard Congress fare.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi used several pens to put her signature on the impeachment bill – annoying Republicans – before House Democrats and the House clerk formally marched over to the Senate Chamber to present the articles.
And the sergeant at arms kicked off proceedings on Thursday with a medieval-sounding threat: “Hear ye, hear ye , hear ye, all persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment. “
It’s rare to see so much pomp and circumstance in the US Congress, which typically has far fewer ceremonial traditions than the UK’s Parliament.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened , and what it means.
A ‘funny signature’ with many p ens
Ms Pelosi and her team held an engrossment ceremony on Wednesday evening, where she signed the final articles of impeachment. This is the last, formal step the House takes before it hands over the impeachment proceedings to the Senate.
It took her some time – because she used a different pen for each stroke, joking: “It makes a funny signature.”
Reporters snapped photos of four trays, each holding eight pens engraved with Ms Pelosi’s name, before the signing ceremony.
(This is actually a long-standing US tradition – since President Franklin Roosevelt, presidents have Frequently used multiple pens to sign high-profile pieces of legislation, so they can be offered as souvenirs and historical keepsakes.
President Donald Trump joked that he was running out of pens as he signed legislation on his inauguration day – while President Barack Obama used (pens to sign the Affordable Care Act into law.
) Ms Pelosi has faced criticism for using several pens to sign the impeachment articles – with Republican critics saying she appeared to be celebrating what was supposed to be a sombre moment.
Her office, however, argued that while impeachment is “tragic … it is indisputably historic when the Constitu representation and its balance of power reasserts itself. “
Back in 1998, Republican senators also kept pens as souvenirs after signing oaths for the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton – although those pens had typos on the text inscribed on them, and had to be reissued.
An impeachment walk – twice
Following Wednesday’s signing, the House clerk walked across the Capitol, under the iconic Rotunda, to deliver the two articles of impeachment to the Senate.
The procession “symbolises the transmission of the solemn document enacted by the House of Representatives, and acceptance of it by the Senate “.
When the procession arrived at the Senate chamber, the House clerk informed the Senate that the House had passed a decision appointing the impeachment managers, and the Senate President, Republican Charles E Grassley, replied “the message will be received”.
House Democrats had to make the walk again on Thursday, as Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell asked them to return to formally exhibit the articles of impeachment then.
‘Hear ye hear ye’
You wouldn’t normally hear medieval English in the Senate.
But on Thursday, the sergeant of arms – Senate’s chief law enforcement officer – kicked off proceedings by announcing: “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye, all persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, president of the United States. “Why did he sound so formal? Most of the words he used are actually set out in the
Senate impeachment rules, which were developed in 1998 and last revised in (**********************************.
“This is only the third impeachment trial in US history – a lot of the procedures have come through two centuries, without routine use, so they may seem archaic, “Prof Arenberg says.
Nonetheless, he adds, the traditions and ceremonies that have developed help underline the “seriousness” and “sober gravity” of what it taking place.
Signing the oath book
The Senate impeachment rules also specify that when it is the president or vice-president who is being impeached, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should preside over the trial.
Chief Justice Roberts had to be formally sworn in, before administering oaths for all 100 senators, who also had to sign an oath book that is kept in the national archives.
Prof Arenberg says it is significant that they are required to take a separate oath.
“This is an additional oath above their oath of office – it’s to underline that this is different from the partisan and legislative procedures they normally go through. Even beyond the oath of the Constitution when they take office, they need to additionally swear to offer impartial justice in this trial. “
The Senate then issued a formal summons to President Trump, informing him of the charges against him.
The trial is set to reconvene on Tuesday.
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Chief Justice Roberts had to be formally sworn in, before administering oaths for all 100 senators, who also had to sign an oath book that is kept in the national archives.
Prof Arenberg says it is significant that they are required to take a separate oath.
“This is an additional oath above their oath of office – it’s to underline that this is different from the partisan and legislative procedures they normally go through. Even beyond the oath of the Constitution when they take office, they need to additionally swear to offer impartial justice in this trial. “
The trial is set to reconvene on Tuesday.
Want to find out more?
********************** (Read More) ************************
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