Beneath the heated argument of whether the House should have a formal resolution to open an impeachment inquiry is a potential benefit for Republicans, if they can force a vote: the chance to subpoena their own witnesses and information. The issue could come to a head soon amid reports that the White House plans to announce it will not comply with Democrats’ investigation, or subpoenas, unless the House holds a formal vote opening an impeachment inquiry. Pelosi shot that down in a letter of her own hours later, saying that House committees already have the power needed to conduct the inquiry under current House rules and no vote is necessary. At the time of the Clinton impeachment, committee chairs needed a formal vote to give them subpoena power. But Pelosi is correct that neither House rules nor the Constitution require a vote to begin the impeachment process, and while there have been similarities in each previous case of impeachment, each instance has been different.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 07, 2019 20:03 UTC