The Trump administration released a five-page partial transcript on Wednesday of a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump, according to notes of the call released by the White House, asked Zelensky to work with Giuliani and expressed hope that he “can look into” Biden's role in the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor.

Schumer has sidestepped taking a position on impeachment for months. Asked on Tuesday if the complaint warranted an impeachment inquiry into Trump he demurred except to say that he supported Pelosi, who had not yet announced the formal inquiry.

Schumer noted on Wednesday that he had spoken with Pelosi "many times."

"I know she did not make this decision lightly and took no pleasure in making it. It is her carefully considered judgment that it is now in the best interest of our country and our Constitution to proceed with an impeachment inquiry," he said.