Donald Trump impeachment effort passes first test of support in US Congress

Democratic-controlled House votes 232 to 196 to establish rules on holding public hearings in Congress

This was the first formal test of support for impeachment and showed Democrats have enough backing in the House to later bring formal charges against president

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wields the gavel as members of the US House of Representatives cast their votes. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:02am, 1 Nov 2019Updated: 7:56am, 1 Nov 2019

A deeply divided US House of Representatives took a major step on Thursday in the effort to impeach US President Donald Trump when lawmakers approved rules for the next, more public, stage in the Democratic-led inquiry into Trump’s attempt to have Ukraine investigate a domestic political rival.

In the first formal test of support for the impeachment investigation, the Democratic-controlled House voted almost entirely along party lines – 232 to 196 – to move the probe forward in Congress.

The vote allows for public impeachment hearings in Congress, which are expected in the coming weeks and portends a bitter battle ahead as the United States heads into a presidential election year.

Democrats who accuse Trump of abusing his office and jeopardising national security for personal political gain were almost unanimous in approving Thursday’s measure, but they did not pick up a single Republican vote.

“It’s a sad day. No one comes to Congress to impeach a president,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote.