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‘Acquittal On The Merits’ Is New GOP Talking Point. But Is It Better For Trump Than Dismissal?

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) talks to reporters before heading into the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Senators will vote Tuesday... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) talks to reporters before heading into the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Senators will vote Tuesday on the rules for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, which is expected to last three to five weeks. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS

January 22, 2020 4:51 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has known for weeks that he didn’t have the votes to outright dismiss the impeachment charges against President Trump as opposed to opening the case up for trial in his caucus. While the White House initially pushed for the inclusion of a motion to dismiss the case in McConnell’s rules resolution, the caucus has remained hesitant to take that leap due to opposition from some key moderates, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Lamar Alexander (TN), Susan Collins (ME) and Mitt Romney (UT).

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