In a surprise move, the Senate voted 55-45 Saturday morning to call for witness testimony in the second impeachment trial of former President Trump.
The big picture: The Senate was expected to wrap up the trial and cast a final vote by the end of the day. But lead House impeachment manager, Rep. Jamie Raskin, announced Saturday morning that his team was seeking testimony from GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to talk about her knowledge of a conversation between House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Trump during the Capitol attack on Jan. 6.
- Raskin said the managers would also like to subpoena Beutler for her notes.
Driving the news: All Democrats and five Republicans voted in favor of seeking witness testimony.
- The five GOP Senators include: Susan Collins (Maine), Ben Sasse (Nebraska), Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Lindsey Graham voted in favor of seeking witness testimony.
Of note: Shortly before reconvening for the trial on Saturday morning, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote in an email to his GOP colleagues that he will vote to acquit Trump.
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