Charles Ernest Grassley

“ It is not the Senate’s job to read into House articles what the House failed or didn’t see fit to incorporate itself. Articles of Impeachment shouldn’t be moving targets like moving a goalpost. The ambiguity surrounding the House’s abuse of power theory gives this Senator reason enough to vote not guilty. If we are to lower the bar of impeachment—and that is what the House of Representatives is trying to do—we better be clear on where the bar is being set. ”

“ The House’s case fails on the first of those questions. The President’s request is not impeachable conduct under our Constitution. A President isn’t prohibited by law from engaging the assistance of a foreign ally in an anti-corruption investigation.
The House tries to make up for this hurdle by suggesting that subjective motive—in other words, political advantage—can turn an otherwise unimpeachable act into an act that demands removal from office. I won’t support such an irreversible break from the Constitution standard for impeaching a President.
The Senate is an institution of precedent. ”

“ A rush to convict or acquit can lead to cut corners and overheated rhetoric.
We are each bound by our oath to "do impartial justice." As President pro tempore of this institution, I recognize that we must also do justice to the Senate and to the Republic that this Senate serves.
This trial began with a full and fair debate on the rules to guide our process. We considered and voted on 11 amendments over nearly 13 hours. Consistent with precedent, the Senate adopted rules allowing the same length of time for arguments and questions as was agreed to unanimously in the 1999 Clinton impeachment. ”