Rep. Steve Cohen Stephen (Steve) Ira CohenTennessee Rep. Steve Cohen wins Democratic primary Democrats exit briefing saying they fear elections under foreign threat Texas Democrat proposes legislation requiring masks in federal facilities MORE (D-Tenn.) suggested Thursday during a Judiciary Committee debate on impeachment articles that Republicans took acting classes based on their ability to "suspend disbelief."

"I took theater and drama when I was in college, just one course, and I was told the first thing you have to do is a willing suspension of disbelief. Republicans obviously took that course over and over and over again," he quipped.

Cohen then went on to discuss the testimony of Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland Gordon SondlandGOP chairman vows to protect whistleblowers following Vindman retirement over 'bullying' Top Democrat slams Trump's new EU envoy: Not 'a political donor's part-time job' Trump names new EU envoy, filling post left vacant by impeachment witness Sondland MORE and his discussion of a quid pro quo in President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE's dealings with Ukraine.

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Top Judiciary Republican Doug Collins Douglas (Doug) Allen CollinsDemocrats ramp up pressure on Lieberman to drop out of Georgia Senate race The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements GOP, Democrats look to galvanize women with SCOTUS fight MORE (Ga.) fired back at Cohen, saying his colleague has an understanding of "props and theatrics."

"The gentleman from Tennessee, he just answered a ton of questions for me about his understanding of props and theatrics by his study of drama in his higher education," Collins said.

"Folks who study drama also understand you read the lines. You can read the transcript," he added, referring to a rough transcript of Trump's call with Ukraine's president released by the White House.

He also accused Cohen of making up facts and said Democrats chose to accuse Trump of abuse of power as a cover to "make up anything they want and call it abuse of power."

The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday debated articles of impeachment introduced by Democrats this week accusing the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing.