Mitt Romney, a Republican, asked what day Mr. Trump first ordered the hold on aid, and what the reason was. Mr. Philbin said the exact date was unclear, but that July 3 was when officials knew about it.
At what point did Mr. Trump decide that Ukraine needed to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, asked Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans. Mr. Philbin didn’t answer directly.
“Given the media has documented President Trump’s thousands of lies while in office — more than 16,200 as of Jan. 20,” Bernie Sanders, a Democrat, asked, “why should we be expected to believe that anything President Trump says has credibility?” Mr. Schiff chuckled. “I’m not quite sure where to begin with that question,” he replied.
Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, asked: “Is the standard for impeachment in the House a lower threshold to meet than the standard for conviction in the Senate?” Yes, Mr. Philbin answered, controversially.
How Republicans are explaining ‘no’ votes
A day ago, there was serious momentum toward senators voting to hear from new witnesses, compelled by news reports about Mr. Bolton’s book manuscript. But a private meeting that Senate Republicans held after yesterday’s closing arguments revealed that Mr. McConnell was eager to shut down that prospect.
Two key senators announced their no votes today:
Cory Gardner of Colorado is trying to hang on to his seat in an increasingly blue state, and even he said he didn’t need to hear new evidence. “I do not believe we need to hear from an 18th witness,” he said in a statement, referring to the number of witnesses called in the House inquiry.
Martha McSally of Arizona, also standing for election in a swing state, said she would vote against calling new witnesses. “After two weeks in the Senate, 13 witnesses, and 28,000 pages of evidence,” Ms. McSally wrote on Twitter, “I have heard enough. It is time to vote.”