A crucial group of Republican senators got the first question as the Senate dove into a mammoth question-and-answer session in the impeachment trial of President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE.

Sens. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Most Americans think winner of election should pick next Supreme Court justice: poll Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election MORE (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Most Americans think winner of election should pick next Supreme Court justice: poll Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election MORE (R-Alaska) and Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyGOP set to release controversial Biden report McConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? MORE (R-Utah) joined forces to ask the first question, with Collins writing it for the group.

"If the president had more than one motive for his alleged conduct, such as the pursuit of personal political advantage, rooting out corruption and the promotion of national interests, how should the Senate consider more than one motive in its assessment of Article One," Supreme Court Justice John Roberts said, reading the question from the trio.

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The first article of impeachment passed by the House accuses Trump of abusing his power.

The decision for Republicans to give their first question to the three senators quickly caught attention around the Capitol.

The three GOP senators are viewed as crucial swing votes on the decision of whether to call new witnesses. That vote is expected on Friday, and GOP senators are increasingly optimistic they will be able to block the push for new witnesses.

They have also not said how they will vote on the final votes on convicting or acquitting Trump.

Trump's legal team responded that if senators believe Trump had more than one motive "it's clear that their case fails."

"Once you're into mixed motive land, it's clear that their case fails. There can't possibly be an impeachable offense at all," said Patrick Philbin, a lawyer on Trump's team.

"All elected officials, to some extent, have in mind how their conduct, how their decisions, their policy decision will affect the next election," he continued.