The Point: Pelosi's about to hit send on the impeachment articles

View this email in your browser   January 10, 2020  | by Lauren Dezenski Pelosi's about to hit send on impeachment articles Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have said it best in a comment to reporters Friday: "At last."   At long last, the House is going to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. That's not happening Friday, but it is happening SOON.  Pelosi made it official in a letter sent to colleagues Friday morning, saying she will bring the articles of impeachment to the floor next week. That will allow the Senate to take up its part of the impeachment process -- the trial. Pelosi addressed the trial in her letter, writing: "In an impeachment trial, every Senator takes an oath to 'do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.' Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution." That letter appears to now end the weeks-long standoff between the House and Senate over the impeachment articles, after Pelosi delayed sending the two articles of impeachment last month to the Senate while Democrats pressed McConnell to agree to have witnesses in the trial. The Senate didn't agree to witnesses -- but Pelosi argued that compelling evidence of impeachable conduct, which is enough for removal, emerged in the weeks since the House voted to impeach Trump. It's not clear whether Pelosi's effort to withhold the articles will change the trajectory of the Senate trial.   The Point: If you're looking for closure on the impeachment process, good news came from Nancy Pelosi on Friday: It's coming.   -- Lauren   And now, the week in 15 headlines:   Monday: Top general says letter suggesting US would withdraw troops from Iraq was a 'mistake' John Bolton says he is prepared to testify in Senate trial if subpoenaed Tuesday: Pelosi: McConnell should 'immediately' publish impeachment resolution before articles are sent Trump appears to backtrack on threat to target Iranian cultural sites Trump's NAFTA replacement moves one step closer to final ratification Wednesday: Trump says 'Iran appears to be standing down' following its retaliatory attacks against Iraqi bases housing US troops 'The worst briefing I've had': Senate Iran briefing gets heated Iran sent 'multiple messages' to US that its attacks were done Trump vows to impose 'punishing' sanctions on Iran but offers no details Thursday: Senate Republicans are united as they brace for articles of impeachment Pelosi says she'll send impeachment articles when 'ready,' but predicts it could be 'soon' House votes to limit Trump's military action against Iran without congressional approval Friday: Pelosi prepares to send articles of impeachment to Senate US unsuccessfully targeted another Iranian military official on same day as Soleimani With Iranian oil already sanctioned, US punishes what's left QUOTE OF THE DAY " I always say, I can be more presidential than any candidate that ever ran. ... Than any president other than maybe Abraham Lincoln -- when he is wearing his hat." -- President Donald Trump, on being presidential, in a rally with supporters on Thursday night. Chris has Trump's 44 weirdest lines from that speech. LAUREN'S GOOD READS Barbara Lee's win on Iran   Pete Buttigieg is courting the "Religious Left"   Ned Flanders metal band? Okily dokily!   Mark Zuckerberg's unconventional hobby   "Designed by clowns"   Australia's "megafire" MUSICAL INTERLUDE Brownout gets the Tiny Desk treatment!     Today's episode: Pelosi sets a departure date for impeachment LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST     Coming over the next week: Democrats debate in Iowa one last time before caucuses while Trump counter-programs with a rally in Milwaukee that same night. Meanwhile, the Senate's impeachment trial looms.   Saturday, January 11 Andrew Yang: Campaigns in New Hampshire, including watching the NFL playoffs from Revolution Taphouse in Rochester. Bernie Sanders: Hosts a town hall and then a rally with Rep. Rashida Tlaib Elizabeth Warren: Holds a town hall in Iowa with former Rep. Katie Porter Amy Klobuchar: Holds a town hall in Fort Dodge, Iowa Sunday, January 12 Michael Bennet: Holds a town hall in Manchester, New Hampshire Elizabeth Warren: Holds a town hall with former candidate Julián Castro in Iowa Pete Buttigieg: Also holds a town hall in Des Moines Monday, January 13 John Delaney: Makes a campaign stop at the "Middle of Nowhere" in Cumberland, Iowa Tuesday, January 14 Democratic debate: Six Democrats debate in Des Moines, Iowa, in the final debate before voters caucus -- Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer. Donald Trump: Rallies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Wednesday, January 15 Tulsi Gabbard: Kicks off a four-day stop in New Hampshire with a town hall   ONE BIG FIELD 13 The number of Democrats running for president. The field shrunk by one today -- Marianne Williamson announced she is suspending her campaign.  You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303 Copyright © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.