Confusion on the Senate floor as Lee challenges Cicilline speech
Moments before the Senate was to adjourn for the evening, there was confusion in the chamber as Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, challenged comments made by Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I.
Lee said that the account of a phone call Cicilline described was not "factual," and argued that as the witness he should be able to have the remarks stricken from the record.
However, the senators are not supposed to speak on the floor during impeachment proceedings. If they have questions, they are supposed to be submitted in writing. Lee's request prompted confusion on the dais and from the floor where several senators were unclear what was happening.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., was acknowledged and returned to the microphone to withdraw that portion of Cicilline's remarks.
"The impeachment manager Mr. Cicilline correctly and accurately quoted a newspaper account which the distinguished senator has taken objection to, so I am happy to withdraw it, but on the grounds that it is not true -- we will withdraw this evening and without any prejudice to resubmit it, and we can debate if we need to, but this is much ado about nothing because it's not critical in our case."
-ABC News' Trish Turner and Benjamin Siegel







