I have a question for Cory Gardner:
Let’s say you get re-elected and are appointed to be the chair of a committee that has oversight of the executive branch – FBI, CIA, armed services, etc.
Your committee needs to hear testimony from someone who works in the executive branch and needs the appropriate documents that pertain to this testimony. What is your committee going to do if the president (Donald Trump or someone else) sends you a memo saying that this person cannot testify before your committee and none of the requested documents will be released?
Of course, your committee will subpoena this person to testify and subpoena the appropriate documents.
Now you get a second memo from the president saying that no one will be allowed to testify and no documents will be provided. What will your committee do then?
During the next month, senators will be asked to make a decision as to whether the Senate has the right to compel testimony and acquire governmental documents. Can the impeachment trial compel witness testimony and acquire governmental documents?
If you don’t preserve these rights during, you will have lost them forever.
The stakes are high: Will you preserve your rights as a senator and the senatorial right of executive branch oversight?
This is a historical turning point. Your vote will either throw the U.S. government into an uncertain future or put the Constitution norms back on solid footings.
You have the deciding vote. Be careful.
Laird CarlsonMancos