General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does Pelosi need a majority in the House to start Impeachment hearings? [View all]FBaggins
(26,727 posts)There was reportedly some internal debate immediately following Mueller's testimony. Some Democrats put forward the theory that there had already been some impeachment resolutions brought to the House floor that had been passed to Judiciary for review. Sure... the intent at the time was for them to go there to die... but that doesn't mean that they couldn't decide to pick one up and treat it like it was the real deal.
The idea apparently didn't get traction with leadership. But I don't know that this was because it couldn't work. I think it would depend on the wording of what was sent to the committee.
Ok... a second disagreement. Of course, a committee can decide to start their own hearings... but their chances of convincing a court that they qualify for consideration as (for instance) "preparatory to a judicial proceeding" or similar would be hampered if they weren't begun by a vote of the full House.