Sen. Lamar Alexander, A Key Impeachment Swing Vote, Says He Will Vote Against Witnesses

Lamar Alexander

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., a key impeachment swing vote, announced late Thursday night that he will not join Democrats in voting to call witnesses in President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial.

This means that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell likely has the votes to kill the Democratic request to call for witnesses and the votes to end the trial without a conviction.

Four Republicans will need to vote alongside all Democrats in order for new witness testimony to be admitted.

Alexander along with Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine were considered the most likely Republicans to vote in favor of witnesses.

If the Senate turns down the request to call witnesses, the trial will likely end with the Senate voting on whether to remove Trump. Given that it would take 67 votes to remove him, Trump will not be convicted.

 -RW