So the House impeached Trump. Now what? – POLITICO

IMPEACHMENT PURGATORY -- The House impeached President Donald Trump last night but what happens next is totally up in the air. After a mostly party-line vote to oust Trump from office, Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to commit to immediately sending the impeachment articles to the Senate, upending the timeline for an impeachment trial and teeing up a potential clash with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Senior Democratic aides later confirmed that the House likely wouldnt transmit the articles until at least early January. While Pelosi cant hold on to the articles forever, the trial wont start until they are submitted.

The backstory: Anger has been steadily building on the left after McConnell promised to coordinate closely with the White House on an impeachment trial. So some House Democrats started pushing leadership to hold off on sending the articles until McConnell agrees to fair ground rules for the trial. The thinking is that it would give Democrats some leverage, since Trump is eager to be publicly acquitted ASAP. So far we havent seen anything that looks fair to us, Pelosi told reporters. And the delay could also allow time for some court cases to play out, supporters of the idea say.

But, but, but the unorthodox procedural gambit drew some eyerolls and head-scratching off Capitol Hill, where political observers wondered why McConnell would be bothered by a delay. He might even welcome it, they argued, since it would forestall a potentially messy clash in the upper chamber that would put a handful of senators facing reelection in uncomfortable spots. The move could also infuriate moderate Democrats in the House, who reluctantly embraced impeachment and likely would not be thrilled by a prolonged process that could have unpredictable political effects. Kyle, Sarah and Bres with the story: https://politi.co/2sLhSqj.

For your radar: Pelosi will sit down with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) at 11:30 a.m. this morning to discuss their strategy and figure out their next move, per The Hills Alexander Bolton. More on that here: http://bit.ly/2Z1bDL8.

Related read: Senate Republicans pray Trump won't tweet during trial, by Marianne and Burgess: https://politi.co/2Z4zzgD.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) presides over the House of Representatives as they vote on the second article of impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump at in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to successfully pass two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) | Getty Images

WHIP IT GOOD -- As expected, zero Republicans voted for impeachment the first time in history that impeachment has not garnered bipartisan support. But Democrats were pretty solidly united as well: Reps. Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew (who is soon switching parties) voted against the abuse of power charge, with Rep. Jared Golden joining them in opposing the obstruction of Congress charge. And Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a 2020 presidential candidate, voted present for both. Kyle and Andrew have the full rundown: https://politi.co/36GZuxA.

ROLLIES, THAT DONT TICK TOCK Inside the decision to impeach Trump: How both parties wrestled with a constitutional crisis, via WaPos Rachael Bade, Mike DeBonis and Josh Dawsey: https://wapo.st/2MqbQCP; and Inside the 85-day march to impeach Donald Trump, from Jeremy Herb, Alex Rogers and Phil Mattingly: https://cnn.it/2PYGkMY.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS -- Santa Claus protesters, Michael Moore cameos and Trump Christmas cards oh my. Yesterday's historic impeachment vote was accompanied by a mix of colorful and somber moments in and around the Capitol, as lawmakers prepared to make Trump the third president in history to be impeached. Here are some of the highlights (with links to pictures):

When the gavel came down after the first impeachment vote, a smattering of Dems started clapping prompting Pelosi to motion to them to knock it off. Republicans, who noticed the exchange, sniggered and then later started chanting: Four more years! Four more years!

Republicans held a moment of silence for an unusual suspect: the results of the 2016 election. In other floor speeches, GOP lawmakers compared impeachment to everything from Pearl Harbor to the crucifixion. And Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas, a fierce Trump defender, scribbled in hell no on his red voting card.

There were some interesting visitors who watched the debate from the gallery, including a pair of women draped in red cloaks who were "grieving the death of Democracy and filmmaker Michael Moore.

Across the Capitol, White House staffers made a special delivery to Senate offices: they dropped off Christmas cards and copies of Trumps scathing anti-impeachment letter to Pelosi.

More scenes from the historic day, from Heather, your Huddle host and Sarah: https://politi.co/2S8i5OZ.

A message from S&P Global:

Government price-control not the answer for the beer industrys woes. The beer industry is trying to game the system through government price-controls instead of seeking out new revenue streams and developing products consumers want to drink. Find out how and oppose the APEX Act.

OFF TO GREENER MEADOWS -- Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, one of Trumps closest confidants on Capitol Hill, will not seek another term in Congress, our friends at Playbook scooped. His decision which comes a day after the Houses impeachment vote isnt entirely surprising for congressional observers. Meadows stepped down as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus this fall, and has shown no interest in jumping into a Senate race in his home state. The filing deadline in North Carolina is Friday.

But his exit is still seismic for conservatives on Capitol Hill. He was a founding member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus and has been one of the most visible Trump defenders throughout the impeachment fight. Its unclear whether he will land a job in the Trump administration or the campaign, but hes leaving the door open (he has been floated for chief of staff or a strategist role in the past.) And he may get one last chance to battle impeachment: the White House is considering giving him some type of role in the Senate trial. Check out his interview with Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman: https://politi.co/34zuWws.

Related: GOP embraces Trump as never before with anti-impeachment, from the APs Alan Fram: http://bit.ly/2Z52j93.

GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, December 19, where your host is ready for a serious post-impeachment diet (and vacation.) Please send along the newest craze.

WEDNESDAYS MOST CLICKED: Darren Samuelsohns story on the impeachment tourists was the big winner.

SPLIT SCREEN -- Trump took the stage last night at his Michigan rally which featured a Christmas tree decorated with a MAGA hat on top just as the House started the first vote to impeach him. Trump punched back against the impeachment effort in a lengthy speech, but one of the most controversial moments was when he attacked Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and her late husband, the former Rep. John Dingell, suggesting he was looking up from hell. The move prompted a mix of groans and cheers in the audience.

The comment sparked instant backlash in Congress. Dingell, who had been watching snippets of the rally on her iPad during the floor votes, said in a tweet directed to Trump: you brought me down in a way you can never imagine, noting that this will be her first Christmas without her beloved husband. And Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) called on Trump to apologize in a tweet. Gabby Orr, who was at the rally, has much more : https://politi.co/2sHdM2z.

Related: Impeachment day for Trump: A bruised ego, a Twitter eruption and a winding rally, per Nancy Cook, Burgess and Gabby: https://politi.co/35CRqxZ.

IMPEACHMENT IS A BATTLEFIELD -- Twenty-nine Democrats just voted to impeach Trump while representing districts that helped elect him in 2016. Wednesdays vote puts an even bigger target on endangered Democrats back, who have soberly acknowledged the political risks while attempting to quickly pivot quickly to their policy agenda. Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to use impeachment to take them head-on in 2020, with even more pro-Trump protests and even more GOP-funded attack ads.

That includes a $2.5 million ad blitz by the American Action Network, bringing its total impeachment-related spending to $11 million. Still, Republicans face long odds to win back the House next year and Democrats are heading home for Christmas with a Santas sleigh full of local wins. More from Ally Mutnick and Sarah: https://politi.co/2PZHF6m.

Related: 'If I lose my seat over it, so be it': Moderate Democrats confront consequences of impeaching Trump, from CNNs Lauren Fox and Clare Foran: https://cnn.it/34CKvDF.

THE OTHER STUFF -- So what else is happening on Capitol Hill besides impeachment? Well, today the House will vote on Trumps trade pact with Mexico and Canada, which is expected to pass with support from both parties. The vote was strategically scheduled to be the last vote that Democrats take before heading home for the holidays. But some moderate Democrats are upset that McConnell wont even be taking it up right away, after railing on Democrats for holding up the deal for so long. Sabrina Rodriguez with more: https://politi.co/35yt889.

And across the Capitol the Senate is expected to pass a massive $1.37 trillion spending deal, sending it to Trump's desk for signature. There has certainly been some grumbling on the right over the price tag Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) even dramatically showed his opposition to the bill by lighting up a cigar and stubbing it out on top of a printed copy of the bill. But for the most part, the GOP once known as the party of fiscal restraint has all but surrendered to Trump on spending. Its depressing, isnt it? said Sen. Ron Johnson, one of the few Republicans who opposes the deal. WaPos Robert Costa with the story: https://wapo.st/34BnWPu.

Nothing today.

The House gavels in at 9 a.m., with first votes expected between 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. Todays agenda: http://bit.ly/38TjfUG.

The Senate meets at 9:30 a.m. to resume consideration of the two House-passed packages to fund the government for fiscal 2020, H.R. 1865 (116) and H.R. 1158 (116) . At 11 a.m., they will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 1865.

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Michael Doyle (D-Pa.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) hold a news conference on the committee's "2019 accomplishments and to discuss some of the key priorities for 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in Rayburn 2123.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds her weekly press conference at 10:45 a.m. in HVC Studio A.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) holds his weekly press conference at 11:30 p.m. in HVC Studio A.

WEDNESDAYS WINNER: Steve Finley was the first person to correctly guess that New York Knicks star-turned-NJ Senator Bill Bradley began his career in Washington as an intern for Donald Rumsfeld.

TODAYS QUESTION: From Steve: Who was the future congressman who played in the 1961 Rose Bowl? First person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: mzanona@politico.com

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A message from S&P Global:

Government price-controls could cost beer drinkers. The beer industry is trying to game the system through government price-controls and it could cost you. Find out how and oppose the APEX Act.

CORRECTION: This version of Huddle has been corrected to reflect that Fred Upton is not retiring.

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So the House impeached Trump. Now what? - POLITICO