McConnell has made a big change to the organizing resolution for the impeachment trial, which is that they will have three days instead of two for opening arguments:
NEW: The organizing resolution has been changed to allow both sides to have THREE day instead of just two to give their 24 hours of arguments.
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 21, 2020
Big change to McConnell's resolution: House impeachment managers and White House defense team will now have 24 hours over three days- not two- for opening arguments (8-hour days instead of 12). #NexstarDC
— Jessi Turnure (@JessiTurnure) January 21, 2020
Two big changes to the McConnell resolution per Schumer spox:
-They’re admitting the house record into evidence. (Before the Senate would have had to agree via vote)
– And 24 hours now over three days (before it was over 2 days)
— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) January 21, 2020
This is a big deal because, as Jessi Turnure points out, it means they each have 8-hour days instead of 12-hour days, which means America will be able to tune in to see it. I personally didn’t mind it being two days, because I think McConnell wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. I also think McConnell started with more of a stingy number, knowing he might have to expand it in negotiations, which is how negotiations are supposed to work.
UPDATE: I’m hearing that it was several moderate Republican Senators that forced McConnell’s hand on the changes above. Probably Collins, Murkowski, Romney, and how knows which other moderate.
Watch the Senate trial live here.