CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) is Interviewed About Growing Number of Democrats Asking Pelosi Hand Over Articles of Impeachment to Senate

Interview

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It almost sounds like a Republican speaking. OUTRONT now, Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California.

She's on the Intelligence and Armed Services Committee/

Congresswoman, does it surprise you to hear this presser coming from your Democratic colleagues in the Senate? They want it, they want it yesterday, and from Dianne Feinstein, even making an argument that Republicans make, which is, hey, i it's surrogate, send them, if you've got something to say.

REP. JACKIE SPEIER (D-CA): Let me say that the speaker of the House is prepared to send the articles over. What we have had happen since we took the action that we did is we have now found out that the administration has once again been part of a cover-up so that documents that were made available because of a Freedom of Information Act request were not disclosed.

[19:50:14]

And we've also had Mr. Bolton come forward and say that he's willing to testify before the Senate.

So I think her putting a pause has actually helped the Senate in its negotiations for witnesses. And I think that's going to be critical.

BURNETT: So let me ask you on that front. McConnell says witnesses will be considered later in the trial. That's the argument he's been making all the way long.

As you point out, fairly, there have been big developments over the past few weeks, but he has not moved on witnesses being a predicate to a trial. He has said that he'll have the opening statements and then a vote.

And some Senate Democrats are saying that they will have real leverage when that happens, when that vote occurs. So the trial will have technically have begun, but then they vote on witnesses that they have some leverage there.

Do you think they're wrong?

SPEIER: Well, I think that what will happen is that they'll have opening arguments, they'll present their case, and then he will want to close and then they will have the opportunity to seek witnesses.

I don't think that makes sense. When Clinton was impeached, all the witnesses and Clinton himself had complied with the requests made by the House in the investigation. None of that has taken place in the House. We have put this together really with the benefit of Ambassador Volker's text messages and the comments made by the Ambassador Sondland.

So we do need to hear from Bolton. We do need to hear from Duffey. We do need to hear from others who have declined to meet the subpoena requests, because the president has told them to.

BURNETT: Look, anyone who wants to know everything about this, it would be intellectually dishonest to say they didn't want to hear from John Bolton or Mick Mulvaney. I think one has to just be honest and say that. But it may not happen in the Senate. So if it doesn't, can you say that the House of Representatives will subpoena John Bolton? And that he will appear, for the American people to hear what he has to say?

SPEIER: I'm not sure we're in a position right now to make that statement or I think it's frankly premature, because we have see what happens in the Senate. Mr. Bolton has said he will testify in the Senate. If the Senate does not take him up on his offer, then I think the whole question becomes, was that really a trial at all? That oath they take for impartial justice was that, in fact, met?

BURNETT: So, the articles of impeachment. Do you anticipate that they will be sent over by the end of this week?

SPEIER: I can't speak for the speaker. That's a question for her. But I think she has every intention to do it in on junction with the Senate Democrats. She's certainly been in consultation with them. And having heard from a number of Senate Democrats, I'm certain she will take steps as appropriate.

BURNETT: All right. I appreciate your time, as always, Congresswoman. Thank you.

SPEIER: Thank you, Erin.

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