In the wake of Democrats’ plans to move forward with impeachment proceedings in the House, Republicans in the Senate have already largely come out against any such measures in the event that they make it to the Senate, The Hill reports.
After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signaled that the Democrats will officially begin an impeachment inquiry, multiple Senate Republicans spoke out against impeachment, including John Kennedy (R-La.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
As The Hill notes, in the event that any impeachment trial actually took place, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would have broad control over the proceedings, including the schedule and the amount of time Democrats have to argue their case.
Beyond the procedural hurdles that impeachment would surely face, 67 votes are needed for conviction in the Senate. Republicans currently hold 53 seats while the Democrats hold 47, meaning that at least 20 Republicans would have to flip in order to convict President Trump.