Early Procedural Test Shows Where Senate GOP May Stand On Convicting Trump

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, seen here during a confirmation hearing last week, argues a Senate impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump is unconstitutional because he’s no longer in office.

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Updated 5:40 p.m. ET

After senators were sworn in Tuesday afternoon as jurors in the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, Sen. Rand Paul quickly pressed for a vote to force lawmakers on the record over the issue of the trial’s constitutionality.

The Senate voted 55-45 to reject the Kentucky Republican’s argument that the impeachment trial is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office.