Impeachment hearings commence in Senate

Impeachment hearings for former U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent are underway in the Senate and lawmakers and staff are atwitter.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) tweeted that he would take the lead on trying the case in the Senate:

Waiting to enter the US Senate to present the Arts of Impeachment against Judge Sam Kent. This is the 18th impeachment in US history.

I serve as the Ranking Member of the Impeachment Task Force and lead Republican Manager to try the case in the Senate.

Don Stewart, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) spokesman, appears to be providing live coverage of the events on his Twitter account. A few highlights are included below:

Article on Senate’s action today starting the impeachment process–on a judge http://bit.ly/188dfg

Senate will appoint 12 members for an impeachment committee. McConnell appointed: Sens. Martinez, DeMint, Barrasso, Wicker, Johanns, Risch

After impeachment committee concludes, it will produce a record of proceedings and a summary of evidence for the full Senate to review.

The articles of impeachment (in some colorful detail) have been read against Judge Kent. The impeachment committee has now been appointed.

Although hearings have begun it is uncertain when the Senate will start the trial. For coverage throughout the proceedings, Twitter Room suggests you follow @StewSays (Don Stewart) on Twitter.