Murkowski Statement on Constitutional Point of Order
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after voting in favor of a motion to table a constitutional point of order raised by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The motion to table was sustained in a 55-45 vote.
“The question as to whether or not a president may be tried and convicted by the Senate after he has left office is of significant institutional matter—one that has been debated by constitutional law scholars throughout our history, and continues to be debated today. To force a vote in the U.S. Senate without the opportunity for discussion, research, or debate was premature and unnecessary. We have been assured by the Majority and Minority Leader that as part of the impeachment trial, this exact legal argument will be taken up within the proceedings, and there will be an opportunity at that time for both parties to be thoroughly briefed on the issue. My vote to table the constitutional point of order raised by Senator Paul affords members of the Senate the opportunity to thoughtfully consider this weighty institutional issue.”
