Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says she will vote in favor of calling witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.“I worked with colleagues to ensure the schedule for the trial included a guaranteed up-or-down vote on whether or not to call witnesses," Collins says, in a statement issued Thursday. "I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities, and provide additional clarity."
Collins says if the motion to call witnesses passes, "I believe that the most sensible way to proceed would be for the House Managers and the President’s attorneys to attempt to agree on a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side. If they can’t agree, then the Senate could choose the number of witnesses.”
I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed. My full statement: https://t.co/VuhZv6CO5e pic.twitter.com/LhQlnvPaoc
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 31, 2020
As of Friday morning, it appears unlikely that the motion will pass. For that to happen, at least four Republican senators will have to vote in favor, and so far, Collins, and Sen. Mitt Romney, of Utah, are the only two GOP members who say they plan to vote in favor of witnesses.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Friday afternoon that she will vote against calling more witnesses.
(2/5) The House chose to send articles of impeachment that are rushed and flawed. I carefully considered the need for additional witnesses and documents, to cure the shortcomings of its process, but ultimately decided that I will vote against considering motions to subpoena.
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 31, 2020
Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander announced earlier that he will not vote in favor of the measure.
Updated Jan. 31, 2020 at 1:38 p.m. ET.
