Washington (CNN) The House Judiciary Committee on Friday voted to approve two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, sending impeachment of the President to the House floor after a bitter and contentious committee debate that stretched over three days.

The committee action tees up a historic vote to impeach the President on the House floor next week, a vote that would make Trump third president in American history to be impeached by Congress.

The judiciary panel approved the impeachment articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress on two party-line votes Friday morning, following a surprise decision late Thursday evening to delay the final votes -- a move that underscored the raw partisan tensions running throughout the impeachment proceedings.

Democrats say that Trump should be removed from office for abusing his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and withholding US security aid and a White House meeting, and then obstructing the investigation into his misconduct.

"Today is a solemn and sad day," said House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler. "For the third time in a little over a century half, the House Judiciary Committee has voted articles of impeachment against the President, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The House will act expeditiously."

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