by Ryan Saavedra, Daily Wire:

Senate Democrats do not appear to have the votes that they need to prolong President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial by calling for more witnesses and documents.

Fox News senior reporter Chad Pergram wrote: “Senate does not appear to have the votes to open the door to witnesses tomorrow night. Collins and Romney for witnesses. Alexander opposed. Even if Murkowski is a yes, they don’t have the votes. 50-50 vote is a tie, which by rule, fails.”

Senate does not appear to have the votes to open the door to witnesses tomorrow night. Collins and Romney for witnesses. Alexander opposed. Even if Murkowski is a yes, they don’t have the votes. 50-50 vote is a tie, which by rule, fails

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 31, 2020

Pergram noted that if Democrats do not have the votes needed to call for more witnesses that “the Senate would then vote for verdicts on both articles.”

Pergram’s analysis came immediately after Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) announced just minutes prior that he was not in favor of calling for additional witnesses and documents in the trial.

The New York Times noted that Alexander’s decision was “a strong indication that Republicans have lined up the votes to block a call for more documents and witnesses like the former national security adviser, John R. Bolton,” but warned “Democrats are hinting at a gambit to frustrate the Republicans’ plans, though Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, has refused to tip his hand.”

As noted by Pergram, Collins and Romney were both a “yes” for calling for additional witnesses in the trial.

In a statement, Collins said:

We have heard the cases argued and the questions answered.  In keeping with the model used for the impeachment trial of President Clinton, at this point, Senators are able to make an informed judgment about what is in dispute and what is important to the underlying issues.

I worked with colleagues to ensure the schedule for the trial included a guaranteed up-or-down vote on whether or not to call witnesses.  I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities, and provide additional clarity. Therefore, I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed.

If this motion passes, I believe that the most sensible way to proceed would be for the House Managers and the President’s attorneys to attempt to agree on a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side.  If they can’t agree, then the Senate could choose the number of witnesses.

There was speculation online among top reporters as to the reasoning behind Collins’ decision.

Journalist Yashar Ali noted a likely scenario, writing: “Gotta wonder…did Susan Collins issue a statement that she was voting YES on witnesses and more documents because she knew that Senator Alexander was voting NO? Election year protection? I think we know the answer.”

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