Congressional Democrats praised Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP votes to authorize subpoenas, depositions in Obama-era probe Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE (R-Utah) on Wednesday for breaking from his party and becoming the first Republican to announce he would be voting to convict President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE.

The senator was hailed by Senate colleagues and House Democrats for joining them in voting to impeach and remove Trump over abuse of power.

“I sat silently across the chamber, listening to my friend give one of the most important speeches I have ever had the good fortune to hear in person,” Sen. Chris Murphy Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyGOP chairman to release interim report on Biden probe 'in about a week' This week: House returns for pre-election sprint Battle over timing complicates Democratic shutdown strategy MORE (D-Ct.) tweeted shortly after Romney announced on the Senate floor that he would be voting to convict Trump.

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“At a time when many wonder what honor is left in public life, there stands Mitt Romney,” Murphy added.

I sat silently across the chamber, listening to my friend give one of the most important speeches I have ever had the good fortune to hear in person.



At a time when many wonder what honor is left in public life, there stands Mitt Romney. — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 5, 2020

Sen. Brian Schatz Brian Emanuel SchatzPolls show trust in scientific, political institutions eroding Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Senate Democrats map out climate change strategy | Green groups challenge Trump plan to open 82 percent of Alaska reserve to drilling | 87 lawmakers ask EPA to reverse course after rescinding methane regulations MORE (D-Hawaii) offered similar praise for his Republican colleague, whom he said “restored” his “faith in the idea that putting country over party is still possible.”

Thank you, Mitt. You have restored my faith in the Senate and the idea that putting country over party is still possible. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 5, 2020

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Mass.), a leading presidential candidate, said the vote to convict Trump is "an act of patriotism," and thanked Romney for his patriotism.

"Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine."



I agree, @MittRomney. Voting to convict this president is an act of patriotism. Thank you for yours. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 5, 2020

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSuburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida MORE (D-N.Y.) also thanked Romney for voting his conscience and doing what he knew in his "heart to be right."

Thank you @MittRomney for rising to this moment, for choosing to vote your conscience, and for doing what you know in your heart to be right. — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 5, 2020

House Democrats, who nearly all voted to impeach Trump at the end of last year, also championed Romney for his decision to break party ranks on the vote.

“Thank you, Senator Romney, for your impeachment courage. You put our country’s national security above your own personal, political interests. That’s the opposite of what Donald Trump did. History will favorably know your name for this,” Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted.

Thank you, @SenatorRomney, for your #impeachment courage. You put our country’s national security above your own personal, political interests. That’s the opposite of what @realDonaldTrump did. History will favorably know your name for this. — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 5, 2020

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) called Romney’s “remarkable speech” a “historic moment.”

“Senator Romney is right. And he will make the vote to convict Trump of abuse of power bipartisan,” Beyer tweeted.

A remarkable speech on the Senate floor by Senator Mitt Romney, a former Republican nominee for President:



“What the president did was wrong. Grievously wrong.”



Senator Romney is right. And he will make the vote to convict Trump of abuse of power bipartisan.



A historic moment. — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) February 5, 2020

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Rep. Bobby Rush Bobby Lee RushCongress should investigate OAS actions in Bolivia Rep. Bobby Rush introduces legislation focused on addressing racism, lack of diversity in the federal government House Democrat introduces bill to replace Confederate monuments nationwide MORE (D-Ill.) said Romney did “what many of his GOP colleagues have been afraid to do when it comes to this President’s considerable contempt for the constitution—he told the truth.”

.@SenatorRomney has done what many of his @GOP colleagues have been afraid to do when it comes to this President’s considerable contempt for the constitution—he told the truth. pic.twitter.com/jGab4DxOL7 — Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) February 5, 2020

--This report was updated at 3:34 p.m.