Impeachment hearings continued Wednesday morning with House impeachment investigators speaking to Ambassador Gordon Sondland, who said there was a “quid pro quo” between President Donald Trump and Ukraine.

“I know that members of this committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question: Was there a ‘quid pro quo?’” Sondland said in prepared remarks for the testimony, according to The Washington Post. “With regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes.”

He said Rudy Giuliani was pushing for “quid pro quo.”

“Mr. Giuliani was expressing the desires of the president of the United States, and we knew that these investigations were important to the president,” Sondland testified, according to The Associated Press.

Trump posted a short video on his Twitter account Tuesday morning responding to Sondland’s testimony.

Sondland will be followed by David Hale, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, and Laura Cooper, a longtime defense department official, in Wednesday’s hearings.

Follow live updates from our Washington correspondent Matthew Brown.

Based on sustained applause Schiff won the closing argument #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff in laying blame for who held up aid or WH meeting: I Don't think president would let himself be led by the nose by Rudy Guiliani or anyone else.#ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff made clear he was summarizing for Americans who couldn't tune in for the all-day hearing. Public hearings are to sway public not Congress#ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff called it a seminal moment in investigation. Some points he summarized of Sondland's testimony:



-- followed president's orders

-- Guiliani's expressed the desires of president

-- Ukrainians knew

-- with regard with WH call and meeting the answer is yes on quid pro quo — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Nunes closing statement saying no evidence Trump did anything impeachable.



"Another hearing in the books and no answers"#ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Raja Krishnamoorthi: WH aide Tim Morrison called you the "Gordon problem"



Sondland: "that's what my wife calls me. maybe they have been talking. should I be worried?"



Audience: Laughing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said he recalls short call with Trump like he remembers "the first girl I kissed." He said it was short, intense #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said Trump would have "presumably" benefitted from investigation into Bidens #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said he would have preferred Trump and Zelenskiy would have gotten together earlier and without conditions #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland keeps emphasizing that the quid pro quo was no meeting unless there was an "announcement" on investigations.



That didn't happen either#ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Jordan says Ukraine got the money because Trump was assured corruption would be addressed. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sounds like he doesn't know what journalists do for work https://t.co/S3cZB9Eh2W — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland couldn't say why president and others haven't appeared before committee #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said in context of Ukraine the president should not ask for investigation into political rial in exchange for military aid. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Showing video clips of Mulvaney's news conference where he said "get over it"#ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said Zelelnskiy impressed him and that's why he wanted Trump to meet him #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff has responded that reason aid was released without investigations is because Trump "got caught" #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Overall Republican members upset Sondland didn't include in his opening statement that Trump told him he didn't want a quid pro quo, but generally sticking to message that aid was released and no investigations conducted. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland agreed with Stewart that it's up to American people to decide if Trump committed extortion or bribery. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Stewart: not an attorney but extortion sounds pretty scary #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

members debating who has more Pinocchios -- Trump or Schiff -- in @washingtonpost drawing big applause #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said he and his family have received many threats since #ImpeachmentHearings began — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

GOP changes up its visual aids mid-hearing #ImpeachmentHearings pic.twitter.com/KucKOC8ATJ — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff drew chuckles in saying unless president says "i'm committing bribery" GOP says there's nothing wrong. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Turner blames Sondland for headlines saying he tied aid to Ukraine to President Trump. Sondland said that was his presumption. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Jordan pressing why Sondland didn't put in his opening statement that Trump didn't want a "quid pro quo"



Sondland said the omission wasn't purposeful#ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Jordan wakes everyone up raising his voice and asking Sondland: when did it happen?



Sondland: when did what happen?#ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Himes: why would secretary of state think this is a worthy thing if others thought it was a drug deal?



Sondland: I don't know you'll have to ask him#ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Ratcliffe dismisses headlines saying Sondland's testimony is blockbuster confirming quid pro quo. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Questions from rest of the committee has begun. Each member gets 5 minutes. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Anytime Sondland uses his hands to make a point the camera shutters go off #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Now all but three Dems are on the dais during GOP attorney questioning. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Nunes interjected that not only records from STate Dept. would help Sondland remember but testimony from the #Whistleblower #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland about how impressed Holmes was with call from Trump in restaurant: "so i not only bought him dinner, but entertained him?" #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

GOP attorney bearing down on Sondland on not remembering details of conversations with Trump and no recollection of Bidens being mentioned until late September #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said "talk to Rudy" wasn't an order from the president, but it was clear Trump wasn't interested in engaging and if wanted to move forward on Ukraine Guiliani was the guy to work with. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: All I got from president Trump: I want nothing ... no quid pro ... tell Zelenskiy to do the right thing. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Republicans gradually coming back to the dais while Dem attorney continues questioning Sondland about his emails. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Dem attorney unpacking Sondland's emails showing how many people were in the loop on tying aid to investigations. He didn't know Pompeo listened in on July 25 call. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said the deliverable the president wanted was the investigations, but he doesn't recall how he knew that. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Jordan and Ratcliffe are the only Republican committee members on the dais with their attorney, while Dem attorney is questioning Sondland right now. #imp — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said his interaction with Mulvaney was limited and he doesn't recall mentioning him in the July 10 meeting. But others in the meeting said he did. "I don't know whether I said it." #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said the only thing he is presuming is the aid but not the other things. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

GOP attorney: this is the trifecta of unreliability #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland defending his memory of details: situational things that trigger memory and a call from POTUS was not unusual. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: everyone's hair was on fire but no once talked to us #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: not sure how someone can call a channel including potus, secretary of state, etc., irregular. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said Ukraine became more important in his responsibilities when there was no ambassador and a new president has been elected. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said it was "always Burisma to me" and he didn't make connection to Bidens until Sept. release of transcript But he doesn't know exactly when. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland recalled subject of July 10 meeting was whether to call Zelenskiy before or after parliamentary elections. Ultimately took place after elections. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said was "shocked" when told his work with Ukraine was described as a "drug deal." #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland can't give accurate count of how many conversations with president or Guiliani. but offered by Sec. Perry as a helpful witness to find out if aid was linked to investigations. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: "I may have used a four-letter word" in asking president what he wanted from Ukraine and president said, "nothing, no quid pro quo." #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: I just don't have all the records, I wish I could get them then I could answer your questions. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland again saying under GOP questioning that he never heard directly from the president about any preconditions to WH meeting. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said he's "a proud" part of the three amigos. but he doesn't recall any "drug deal." #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland not recalling articles about Ukraine interfering with 2016 election but said he follows Nunes' point that #Trump was concerned about corruption in Ukraine. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Taking a 5 minute break and then Republicans begin their questioning. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland saying there was a quid pro quo but he's also saying he didn't hear that directly from #Trump. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland says he never heard directly from Trump that aid was conditioned on investigations #ImpeachmentHearingsNow — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Dems questions are just confirming what Sondland has already said with some emphasis on everyone was in the loop. How will Republicans respond? #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland doesn't remember saying #Trump only cares about the "big stuff" not Ukraine. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland says the main topic of restaurant call with Trump was ASAP Rocky, not Ukraine. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland's only exception to recounting of July 26 call from #Trump at restaurant is mention of Biden. He says he never made connection to Biden until he saw transcript of Trump-Zelenskiy call on July 25. #ImpeachmentHearing — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Camera shutters going off, as Sondland lists the people who received his email detailing what what Zelenskiy committed to do. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland drew some chuckles from audience when said it's true #Trump talks loud and uses colorful language. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland says he has no reason to doubt recollections of July 26 call at the restaurant. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland finds it "very odd" neither he nor Volker got a detailed read out of the July 25 call. Sondland said he was not on the call and didn't know details until transcript was released publicly by WH in September. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Two views of July 10 meeting are surfacing: Sondland and Volker call it positive while Hill, Vindman call it a disaster #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland says Pompeo was kept in the loop. "they know what we were doing and why" #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: only path forward was to work the Guiliani. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland: We weren't happy with president's directive to talk to Rudy #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland throwing State Dept. and White House under the bus. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland said he's not a note taker and blames State Department for not providing materials he needed to reconstruct his recollection of events. He says the materials are not classified and should have been provided to him and the committee. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Sondland is the third witness whose parents fled oppression in Europe and or Soviet Union. His fled Nazi German during Holocaust for Uruguay then to Seattle in 1953. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Seats for press and public are filled. Seating for members of Congress and staff largely empty. I guess other things are getting done. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Do these politically charged opening statements affect the witnesses in any way? Sondland is alternately looking at the the committee and down at the table, presumably at his statement #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Nunes warns Sondland that he's here "to be smeared" #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff warns #Trump that article three of Nixon impeachment was obstruction. #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

Schiff: "I think we know now that knowledge of this scheme was far and wide" #ImpeachmentHearings — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019

"Everyone was in the loop ... It was no secret" #impeachmenthearings https://t.co/8T9nvbNdYa — Matthew Brown (@mbrownreport) November 20, 2019