Piling On

   The evidence is piling up, as the House Judiciary Committee begins its hearings on the proposed impeachment of the president.
   But the question is whether Congress will listen to its own investigators and move forward on the path to impeachment, or will its members -- especially senators -- be so afraid of losing a bid for re-election that they will not act?
   The House Judiciary Committee began hearing testimony from experts on the validity of the House Intelligence Committee's report, and the first day's session was marked by stalling and delaying tactics  at every turn by Republican members of the committee. Yet none seemed able to poke holes in the testimony of the witnesses from academia. Instead, it seemed more like table-pounding than debate over fact or law.
   Separately, there are reports that the Senate is indeed getting ready to receive an impeachment by the full House of Representatives. And there was a claim by supporters of the president that the impeachment vote must be approved by the Supreme Court before the Senate can take up the issue.
   Not so.
   No more so than the claim that the president's term in office should be extended because of the time spent on impeachment investigations and proceedings.
  In short, we are in the middle of a major moment in American history. Only four presidents have faced impeachment proceedings. One -- Richard Nixon -- resigned rather than face a vote by the full House of Representatives. Therefore, it must be said that Nixon was not impeached. Of the others, neither Andrew Johnson nor Bill Clinton was convicted.
   Moreover, all three cooperated with House investigators and provided evidence they hoped would clear them of any charges.
   Donald Trump, however, has ignored all requests and subpoenas sent to him and his associates, and has told his subordinates not to talk to House investigators.
   Meanwhile, the evidence supporting charges of "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors" seems to be overwhelming.
   Nevertheless, rather than  present evidence supporting the claim of presidential innocence, his backers metaphorically pound the table, attacking the process.
   So the drama continues, and a formal vote  to impeach the current president is likely within days.  He will then be the third president to be impeached.
   But will he be tried in the Senate, convicted and removed from office?
   Stay tuned as the national drama continues.