The impeachment hearings continue with testimony from Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs, and David Hale, the under secretary of state for political affairs.
Ongoing coverage can be found here.
Daily Kos will be following the proceedings all day.
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Here’s a transcript of Laura Cooper's previous testimony.
That’s the second time Devin Nunes mentioned Chalupa in a single day — every American gets free Taco Bell! (no, no, they don’t.)
Despite statements that continued to be made right up into Gordon Sondland’s testimony today, Ukrainian officials knew that aid had been suspected weeks before the news became public. That’s likely to come up during Cooper’s testimony.
Nunes calls on Schiff to close the hearing and end the inquiry. I’m sure that’s what we’ll be doing now, so good night and … Oh, wait. Not so much.
Hale doesn’t have a prepared opening statement, wraps things up in thirty seconds. Mr. Hale, those of us who have been reporting on these hearings for what seems like the last 24 hours straight, salute you.
Cooper makes an important point in her opening — Trump was required by law to inform Congress if he was putting a hold on Ukraine funds. He did not.
Cooper states that while no one from Ukraine formally discussed the hold with her until September 5, there were two emails on the hold stating that the Ukrainians knew about the hold on July 25. That’s the same day Trump placed his call and a huge blast to claims that Zelensky didn’t know about the hold when he talked to Trump.
Cooper’s July 25 date for the Ukrainians being aware of the hold is a big deal.
Why is what Cooper testifying important?Because the Republicans have said for weeks: If the Ukrainians didn't know about the hold on the $$ during the July 25 call, then there was no quid pro quo.— Kate Brannen (@K8brannen) November 20, 2019
Why is what Cooper testifying important?Because the Republicans have said for weeks: If the Ukrainians didn't know about the hold on the $$ during the July 25 call, then there was no quid pro quo.
It should be noted that after Cooper dropped her bombshell, Devin Nunes ceded his time to Republican John Ratcliffe, who is only asking questions of … the other witness.
Having skipped the opening 45 minute round (thank you, Mr. Schiff!) we’re running through this hearing quickly. Cooper’s information on the timeline is definitely big news and something that will cause a fresh look at past testimony as well as impact statements going forward.
Just as Laura Cooper testified that on July 25, the Ukrainian embassy was asking "what's going on" with the security assistance, the White House sent talking points saying "Bottom Line: Ukraine DidnâÂÂt Know About the Aid Being Withheld Until Well After the July Call."— Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) November 20, 2019
Just as Laura Cooper testified that on July 25, the Ukrainian embassy was asking "what's going on" with the security assistance, the White House sent talking points saying "Bottom Line: Ukraine DidnâÂÂt Know About the Aid Being Withheld Until Well After the July Call."
Cooper testifies to what was already know — the DOD cleared Ukraine as meeting goals on fighting corruption and upholding democracy in reviews completed in March and May. The law did not even provide for Trump to hold up the assistance.
Republican Rep. Conaway talking about how the DOD review was specific to defense issues and not “broad corruption.” But it was the defense review that was called for in the legislation authorizing the assistance.
It’s Gym Jordan’s time. And if he wants to waste it all complaining about lists … cool.
Jordan also uses a chunk of his time to attack Sondland, because attacking people from the previous hearing has become a Jordan specialty.
Rep. Carson has Cooper and Hale backwards. Not the best look as he asks Hale questions from Cooper’s statement and addresses him as “Mr. Cooper.”
Rep. Wenstrup almost said “Democratic” but caught himself. Thank goodness, because I think that’s a flogging offense on the right.
Note that the Obama administration did provide lethal defensive weapons up until 2014. They halted those sales when there was a different government in place, one that had been actively selling defense items and aerospace tech to Russia.