2. Democratic senator says House cohorts have 'gaps' in
impeachment case
By Allison Gordon, CNN
Updated 1053 GMT (1853 HKT) December 23, 2019
(CNN) A Democratic senator facing a tough reelection fight in a deep red state* on
Sunday described the allegations against President Donald Trump as "serious" but said
he is keeping an open mind when it comes to the Senate impeachment trial.
Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama said he has been
reviewing information about the allegations (accusations) that Trump used his office to
pressure Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to dig up dirt on a potential political
rival.
"I'm trying to see if the dots get connected. If that is the case, then I think it's a serious
matter. I think it's an impeachable matter," he said. "But if these dots aren't connected
and there are other explanations that I think are consistent (agreed) with innocence, I
will go that way too.
"What I really want to see, though, is to fill in the gaps," he said. "There are gaps."
Jones stressed the importance of understanding the situation in its entirety.
"People can make up their mind with gaps in testimony (evidence), but I would like to
see a full and complete picture. And we don't have that because the President has
refused to have his people come and testify (provide evidence) and deliver
documents," he added.
Jones is among the more moderate members of his party in the Senate, although
Alabama itself is still considered overwhelmingly Republican, and his seat is viewed as
a top target for the GOP* in 2020. A former prosecutor, Jones was elected to fill the
Senate seat left open when Trump appointed (assign) Jeff Sessions to be attorney
general*, and his vote on impeachment is sure to be scrutinized (investigated
thoroughly) in his reelection fight.
Last month, Sessions announced he will run to re-take his old seat, and repeatedly
emphasized his strong support for Trump.
The House voted largely along party lines to impeach Trump last week. A Senate trial
is expected to start next month, but House Democrats have held off (hesitate,
postpone) on sending the two articles of impeachment, and appointing impeachment
managers, to the Senate -- saying they won't do so until they see a "fair" structure for
the trial.
The Senate's impeachment trial of Trump is likely to end with his acquittal (discharge)
since conviction (guilty verdict) would require 20 Republicans to side with Democrats.
There's no sign that any Republican senators are ready to vote to remove Trump from
office.
Commentary
Sen. – senator
deep red state - Since the 2000 United States presidential election, red states and blue
states have referred to states of the United States whose voters predominantly choose
either the Republican Party (red) or Democratic Party (blue) presidential candidates
attorney general – the main legal advisor to the government
GOP – Grand old party (Republican party)
Translate
1) В данном расследовании много пробелов, которые необходимо заполнить.
2) Только увидев полную картину, вы сможете прийти к определенному решению.
3) Несмотря на ожидания общественности, генеральный прокурор вынес
оправдательный приговор по делу об импичменте.
4) Каждая кандидатура на место в парламенте будет тщательно рассмотрена.
5) В ходе заседания была подчеркнута важность дачи показаний против
обвиняемого.
6) Если не обнаружится внятных объяснений, дело закончится вынесением
обвинительного приговора.
7) Было подчеркнуто, что кандидат может рассчитывать на мощную поддержку со
стороны избирателей, чтобы баллотироваться на предстоящих выборах.
8) Вступление в должность (назначение) нового президента было отложено
(перенесено).