Speed Read
The senators rejected a motion by the Democrats to dismiss the case against the president and voted to call three witnesses--former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky, presidential confidant Vernon E. Jordan Jr. and senior White House aide Sidney Blumenthal--to testify behind closed doors. The tally for both motions was 56-44, with Democrat Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin emerging in each vote as the lone senator to break party ranks. The margin indicated that the 67 votes needed to remove the president from office apparently are not there.
Senate leaders meeting after the votes were unable to reach agreement on details of how the witnesses would be deposed. They were also seeking to come up with a plan that could bring an end to the trial by mid-February.
TODAY’S PROCEEDINGS
Senate leaders are expected to meet at 1 p.m. today to discuss logistics of deposing the witnesses, including who would attend the interview sessions and whether they would be videotaped.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
