Madam President the Democrats that impression we are I ask you animus consent the corn be dispensed with without objection. Now, the President of the United States is charged with committing a grave injury to our democracy trying to shake down a foreign leader to get him to interfere in our elections using the powers of his public office to benefit himself and John this our elections, These are the kinds of. That the Framers of our Constitution most feared when they forge the impeachment powers of the Congress. The House of Representatives decided the President's conduct warranted his impeachment. The Senate's constitutional duty now is to try that case to the best of our ability with honesty with integrity with impartiality and with fairness. a fair trial is one that considers all the. And gives the senators all the information they need to make an informed decision that means relevant witnesses. that means relevant documents. That means the truth Without these things. a Senate trial would become a force, a nationally televised meeting of the mock trial club. There's a reason that, with one exception every impeached. Trial of any official in the history of the United States as featured witnesses that one exception was the trial of a fellow senator in the eighteenth century, and the question of his impeachment was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds before the issue of witnesses could ever come up every other trial had witnesses. So when leader McConnell talks about President, he's talking about witnesses, plain and simple. The Democratic request for four fact, witnesses and three specific sets of relevant documents is very much in line with our history. We don't know what those witnesses will say we don't know what those documents will reveal they could help the President's case or they could hurt it. regardless of the consequences for the President. Democrats are on a quest for the truth at the. Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans are proposing witnesses and documents, but they can't seem to muster a real reason Why instead, Leader McConnell and the Republican leadership have labeled the Democratic request for witnesses and documents as quote political. If seeking the truth is political. If doing our constitutional duty is political in the minds of our Republican colleagues than the Republican Party is in trouble. history is not. To political parties that fight to hide the truth, history is not kind to parties that participate in cover ups. If anything these absurd accusations by Republicans demonstrate just how how unable Republicans have been to make an affirmative case about why the Senate shouldn't ask for evidence the Republican argument against calling witnesses is basically nonexistent the most commonly repeated. Point from the other side is that we should follow the example of the 1990 - nine Clinton trial by deciding on witnesses after both sides complete their presentations. Republicans are so unwilling to argue against witnesses. they can only support delaying the decision like a broken magic eight ball that keeps saying ask again later Leader McConnell has represented his position as being fair and Open-minded. He has said he's The possibility of witnesses the Senate should just discuss them later as I've made clear. this makes no sense from a trial perspective. Why should both sides make their entire presentations before even consider requesting evidence leader McConnell's proposal is completely backward and through the looking glass, let's consider what practically speaking leader McConnell is suggesting when he claims to be open to witnesses at a later date. What does he really? When he says that in the 1990 - nine Clinton trial, the Senate waited three weeks into the trial to confront the issue of witnesses once they decided on three witnesses with the support of several Senate Republicans here today, including Leader McConnell, it took time for the witnesses to be deposed and for the Senate to consider what they had submitted. Ultimately, the Clinton trial ran for two more weeks. I want my fellow Republican senators to ask themselves after The part of the trial that leader McConnell wants to get through do you think he really wants to extend the trial by several weeks Leader McConnell has gone on record and said that he wants the trial to spend two weeks. Total leader McConnell has gone on record and said that quote after we've heard the arguments we are to vote and move on unquote are we to believe that leader McConnell After two weeks are up really has an open mind about extending the trials several more weeks or does he want? Delay the equipment question of witnesses and documents into later and then when the time comes exert enormous pressure on Republicans to reject them to avoid prolonging the trial will say we can't go on any further. Let's just end it. every Republican every Republican should ask themselves that question. Democrats are not advocating a lengthy drawn out trial. That's why we proposed. This issue up front, so evidence can be part of the presentations and so we don't have to extend the trial unnecessarily. we've proposed a schedule that would save the Senate a whole lot of time so before voting on a resolution that would punt the question of witnesses until after all the presentations are complete, Senate Republicans must ask themselves What are leader McConnell's true intentions on Iran over the past three years, the President. An erratic approach to foreign policy has made America less safe less respected whether it's Syria or North Korea or Russia. The President's actions have failed to advance our National security in some cases failed miserably Now after the aftermath of the US strike on Iranian soil on Iranian general Solomini, the President and his foreign policy team have insisted that the world is a much safer place today. That's what. Pompeo said in recent weeks, however, the President's actions have increased the risk of Iran push rushing to develop a nuclear weapon weakened our ability to fight Isis and strengthen the hands of Russia and China in the Middle East at America's expense. How in the world is the world of a much safer place today than when President Trump took action, it's. Every American should ask themselves this question are we safer today? After these actions with Russia and China on the acid with with our ability to fight Isis weakened with Iran rushing to to make a nuclear weapon, every American should ask this question. And as we consider the grapple with the fallout from the President's actions, there are several points from my colleagues to consider the Trump administration has not been transparent with Congress or the American people. The Trump administration did not consult with Congress prior to the strike on soleimani and a classified. The War Powers Act notification sent to Congress without any justification. There's no reason. Much of it should be classified. it took over a week for the administration to conduct a briefing for the Senate about the strike and then the Briefers top members of the administration practically ran out of the room after only a few questions, putting the brief in briefing Today. Secretary Pompeo refused to testify in the House about the administration's decisions on something as serious as the current situation in Iran, the Administration's. Transparency has been completely unacceptable while the President has promised to keep us out of endless wars in the Middle East. His actions have moved us closer to exactly such a war making the American people and American forces less safe. While I'm thankful that nobody was hurt by Iran's retaliatory missile strikes last week, there are several reasons to be concerned. Iran can strike us in other ways. in the months ahead through cyber warfare proxies are established terror networks that have been destabilized the Middle East for decades. The Supreme Leader himself has said the recent strikes on US installations in Iraq were just quote one slap and quote not enough. Iran is also announced it will no longer abide by any restraints on its nuclear program. The President tweeted all is well with Iran. now you'd have to be delusional to believe that it's sort of like saying North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat. In many ways, the President has made. Americans less safe. Unfortunately, what's happening with Iran is typical of how the President has conducted foreign policy over the last three years, erratic impulsive and without regard for long term consequences. As a result, the President's foreign policy is dangerously incompetent. We cannot say that any major problem area around the globe is better off than it was three years ago because of all. Because of this erratic impulsive foreign policy, the Senate might not must not allow the President to proceed unchecked. Senator Cane's War powers resolution is needed now more than ever, and I'm glad the Senate will consider the resolution this week. Senator Sanders also has a bill that would deny funding for a war with Iran. We should consider that legislation, which I cosponsored as well and as the situation with Iran continues to evolve the administration must. Back and finish what they barely started last week, Keeping Congress briefed and up to speed on all major developments troop deployments strategy on matters of war in peace on the safety of our troops. The security of our nation is at stake. Congressional oversight and Congressional Prerogatives are not optional. They're mandatory and finally on China. last later this week, China and the United States will participate in a signing ceremony for So-called phase one of the trade agreement. In which President Trump is agreed to cut some tariffs on Chinese goods in return for temporary assurances from China to buy more agricultural products from the US after 18 months, the president's phase one deal with China is stunning and how little of substance it achieves at such a high cost. It fails to address deep structural disparities in our trade relationship with China disparities that will harm. Workers and businesses for years, it also seems like this deal could send a signal to Chinese negotiators that the US can be steam rolled that President Trump can be played every time now I publicly praise President Trump when he's taken his tough stance in negotiations with China at some political risk. I've said that President Trump's instincts on China were better than either President bushes or Obamas, so I come to this. Who is truly rooting for the President to succeed for these reasons? I am more even more disappointed in what President Trump has managed to achieve or rather fail to achieve, according to public reports and by the Administration's own admission. Does little to end China's greatest trade abuses? It does not secure commitments on state sponsored cyber theft, China's massive government subsidies to domestic industries preferential treatment of state-owned enterprises or dumping Chinese goods into the US market. In signing this agreement. President Trump removes our most effective source of leverage in Exchange for mediocre temporary. Agriculture concessions, which may not even come to pass given China's past history. Essentially President Trump is selling China the farm in Exchange for a few magic beans. In this case, soybeans the American people need to understand exactly what's in this phase one deal before the United States agrees to continue negotiations with China. So today, I'm sending the President a letter with a series of crucial questions. What commitments of any? China made with regard to its harmful government subsidies What commitments if any has China made concerning State-owned enterprises? what about its practice of dumping products in our market where their state sanctioned cyber theft? What help will be afforded to our farmers who have lost billions in the last two years when China has already signed many long term contracts with other soybean producers in places like Argentina and Brazil. These issues must be resolved before we move forward, but I fear that after months of costly negotiation, President Trump facing reelection has sold out American farmers businesses and workers in Exchange for a photo app, I yield the floor. Madam President Senator from California thank you Madam President just across the Street from where I stand today since the United States Supreme Court that building has four words etched into its marble above its entrance equal Justice under law. The promise of those four words is that in our country, our system of Justice must treat everyone equally regardless of their race, gender sexual orientation. Gender identity, religion, disability or socioeconomic status, But too many people in our country grew up knowing and experiencing that in America, we have two systems of Justice, one in which certain people are held accountable and another in which powerful people like Donald Trump escape accountability. all together, this has been. The first days of our nation's history when a group of men gathered in Philadelphia to debate lofty notions of Justice and equality yet produced a document that literally counted black Americans as fractions of a person in the declaration of independence. We were told that all men are created equal, but we know that in our nation's founding at that time, the policy of our nation was to rob indigenous people of their land and their livelihood. And to exclude women from the right to vote so to make true the promise of America and move us toward that more perfect Union people have organized and fought and marched for Justice from the suffragettes to Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. Those fights have won us progress toward a more just and inclusive. But clearly, there is still more work to be done to achieve equal Justice under law when the determination of whether you sit in jail before trial is too often based on the size of your Bank account rather than the size of your crime, we have not yet achieved equal Justice under law. There is more work to be done when young people selling drugs on the corner too often become. For life, while White-collar criminals face no accountability, there is more work to be done when regarding the sexual assault of women, the current President has said quote. When you're a star, they let you do it, You can do anything. There is work to be done when the American people know that the rules aren't equally enforced against powerful people. unless we acknowledge these truths too. many Americans will remain distrustful of Aaron institutions and cynical about our government and our leaders, and this is the point my colleagues we now face a choice. Will we insist that we have one? System of Justice that applies equally to all or will we continue to have two systems of Justice in which some are above the law Later this week, The Senate will likely begin the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. This moment in our history will have consequences. The Senate is charged with deciding whether the President of the United States with all of his power and supposed wealth will be held accountable. His actions and whether we will finally live up to the principle of equal Justice under law, this is why I speak to you today fully aware that I stand on the shoulders of those who come before me in our nation's ongoing fight for equality. I speak because I was raised by people who spent most of their lives demanding Justice in the face of racism misogyny. Bigotry and inequality I speak because I have dedicated my entire career to upholding the rule of law and bringing integrity to our system of Justice. I speak to ensure that everyone in California and throughout our country can enjoy the rights and freedoms guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution and as a United States, Senator I speak. Fully prepared to uphold my solemn oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States and to do impartial Justice, according to the Constitution and laws, and to affirm that my first obligation is to serve the people of the United States all the people. I hope my colleagues can agree that our nation's found. Had the foresight to create a system of checks and balances that anticipated the need to remove a President who might yield to foreign influence or use the presidency for personal power and benefit our founders feared that a day like this might come and so they empowered the United States Congress with the tool of impeachment to hold a lawless President accountable and so. Week. After months of investigation, sworn testimony, public hearings and debate the House of Representatives will likely send to the United States Senate to articles of impeachment. These articles charged President Trump with abusing his power for his personal and political gain, and with obstructing Congress's efforts to investigate his misconduct. In this trial, the United States Senate must not only considered the charges against the President but also conduct. Itself in a way that demonstrates to the American people that in our system of Justice, no one is above the law. Each senator here must exhibit the kind of moral and ethical leadership that this President abandoned when he pressured a foreign nation to interfere in our elections. There is no question that President Trump's misconduct has left a vacuum of leadership in our country and American people are therefore rightly looking to the United States Senate to demonstrate that their leaders are worthy of the public trust. The American people should expect their senators to seek the truth and not cover up facts. So let us honor our oath to defend the constitution. By doing the job. The American people have entrusted to us. Let us. Ensure that this trial is a search for truth and that we follow the facts where they lead and come to a verdict based on all of the available evidence. Let us do our jobs and insist that we hear from Mick Mulvaney, John Bolton and anyone with a firsthand knowledge of the President's misconduct. Let us demand that the White House turnover additional emails and documents that shed light on the President's motives for withholding. Aid from Ukraine and let us be clear in order from this President to block evidence or witness testimony will itself be further evidence of his efforts to obstruct the United States Congress. The importance of this moment in our history, Cannot be overstated. What we do in this trial will show the world who we are as a country. Our actions will also send a message to further presidents and future presidents of the United States about the kind of conduct that is acceptable from the leader of Iran nation. As the United States Senate. We must say that it is. For President to shake down a vulnerable foreign nation for personal or political benefit, we must say with one voice that no President can disregard the legitimate oversight authority of the United States Congress, and we must say as leaders of the United States of America that in our system of Justice, everyone, everyone will be held accountable for their actions, including the President. United States and my final point years from now, people are gonna judge They're gonna judge whether we rose to the solemn occasion. That is the impeachment trial of the President of the United States and we cannot be passive in this moment. I am mindful of Coretta Scott King's words that freedom is never really won. You earn it. And win it with each generation. It is incumbent on this generation to fight for a system of Justice in which all are treated equally. and in that ongoing fight we as the United States, Senate must agree that we cannot speak about the ideals of equality and Justice and then act in ways that violate those very principles. It is our. Both senators and as proud Americans to protect the constitution to earn the People's Trust and to prove to the American people that it is still within the power of the United States Congress to hold the President accountable. history is watching our actions here will shape this body's legacy, so I urge my colleagues to have the curve. The foresight and the patriotism to act in the interest of our nation and its people. I urge my colleagues to fight for one system of Justice in the United States of America and to ensure that no one is above the law. I urge my colleagues to reaffirm the most basic of American principles. That hours is not the government of one man, but a government. The people by the people and for the people I yield the floor.