Senators will hold a second day of questioning both sides 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 on Thursday.

Senators in both parties will ask questions to the House impeachment managers and Trump's defense team. The Senate is using a total of 16 hours of floor time to ask questions.

On Friday, the Senate is expected to hold a vote on whether to hear from witnesses at the trial. If the Senate votes against hearing from witnesses, it could move quickly to a final vote.

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The Hill will be providing live coverage of Thursday's questioning. To see Wednesday's coverage, click here.

Murkowski, Alexander join skeptics in questioning value of Bolton testimony

10:32 p.m.

Sens. 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 Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Alexander backs vote on Trump Supreme Court nominee: What Democrats 'would do if the shoe were on the other foot' Toobin: McConnell engaging in 'greatest act of hypocrisy in American political history' with Ginsburg replacement vote MORE (R-Tenn.) were among a group of Republicans who asked a question that signalled skepticism about the ultimate value of testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonDiplomacy with China is good for America The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE.

It would have been unremarkable if the question were issued only by conservative Republicans whose opposition to calling new witnesses in Trump’s Senate trial is all but assured.

But Murkowski and Alexander are among a handful of moderate Republicans who Democrats hope will join them in voting to subpoena Bolton and others, meaning their decision to sign onto the question could hint at doubts over the strength of the House manager's case and need for more witnesses.

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The senators were joined by Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-S.C.), Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Romney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery MORE (R-Ohio), Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (R-Penn.) and Dan Sullivan Daniel Scott SullivanWill Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE (R-Ala.) in posing the following question to Trump’s defense team: "Assuming for argument's sake that Bolton were to testify in the light most favorable to the allegations contained in the articles of impeachment, isn't it true that the allegations still would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense, and that therefore for this and other reasons his testimony would add nothing to this case?"

The question gave an opening for Trump’s defense lawyers to again outline their case and argue that even if all the facts alleged were true, the House case would still be too weak to justify convicting and removing Trump from office.

– John Kruzel

Murkowski asks why should Bolton not testify to Senate

8:45 p.m.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) asked Thursday why former national security adviser John Bolton should not be called to testify during President Trump's Senate impeachment trial, noting that conflicting accounts about Trump’s decision to delay U.S. aid to Ukraine “weighs in favor” of hearing from additional witnesses.

Murkowski, who is known for her independent streak, is considered a swing vote on whether the Senate will call in witnesses like Bolton. Her question Thursday night, during the second day of a question-and-answer session, could signal where the senator stands.

“This dispute about material facts weighs in favor of calling additional witnesses with direct knowledge. Why should this body not call Ambassador Bolton,” Murkowski asked in a question posed to the White House defense team.

Murkowski noted in her question that U.S. Ambassador to the E.U. 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 Sen. Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold JohnsonGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE (R-Wis.), an ally of the president, have said Trump did not withhold $391 million in aid to Ukraine as leverage to press Kyiv to open politically beneficial investigations, including one into a 2020 political rival.

She then notes that a New York Times report of Bolton’s unpublished manuscript says otherwise, noting that the report suggests the former Trump official was referring to a direct conversation the president about the aid.

– Olivia Beavers

Warren puts Justice Roberts in awkward spot with Supreme Court question

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6:45 p.m.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (D-Mass.) introduced a seemingly awkward dynamic into the impeachment proceedings when she asked if Republicans’ refusal to allow new witnesses in President Trump’s trial would diminish trust in the chief justice or the Supreme Court.

The question appeared to create discomfort for Chief Justice John Roberts, whose role as the trial’s presiding officer requires him to read senators’ queries aloud — even those raising questions about potential damage to his own legitimacy, or that of the judicial institution he has assiduously sought to shield from the political fray.

It was unclear if the question was a dig at Republican obstruction, Roberts’s unwillingness so far to take a position in the witness fight or both.

While some Democrats have floated a theory that Roberts can supersede the Senate and call witnesses at his discretion, this seems to be the minority interpretation of their respective powers. Most scholars agree that the Constitution gives the Senate ultimate say over all critical matters at trial and the ability to overrule the presiding officer.

Lead House manager Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE (D-Calif.) is among the Democrats who have proposed that senators cede power to Roberts on the witness issue. In addressing Warren’s question, however, the congressman opted for diplomacy, declining to put added pressure on the presiding officer.

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“I would not say that it contributes to a loss of confidence in the chief justice,” Schiff said. “I think the chief justice has presided admirably.”

-John Kruzel

How valuable would a Ukraine-led investigation into the Bidens be for Trump, Democrats ask

5:54 p.m.

Trump's defense team and House impeachment managers sparred over the issue of how much value Trump would place on a Ukraine-led investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE and his son Hunter Biden.

The question from a group of Senate Democrats led to grappling over how Trump’s Ukraine dealings are seen through the lens of campaign finance law, which makes it a crime to solicit a foreign national to give a U.S. political campaign anything of value.

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Pat Philbin, a member of Trump's defense team, noted that the Justice Department (DOJ) last fall found that Trump's call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had not violated campaign finance law.

"Relying on established procedures set forth in the Justice Manual, the Department’s Criminal Division reviewed the official record of the call and determined, based on the facts and applicable law, that there was no campaign finance violation and that no further action was warranted," DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said in a statement issued in September.

Most illegal foreign contributions take the form of money, a clear “thing of value.” But legal experts are split over whether foreign "information" that a campaign considered valuable could be the basis of a campaign finance violation.

Lead House manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Trump would find it “immensely valuable” for Ukraine to have announced an investigation into Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his son.

Republicans have long sought a probe into a 2016 episode in which then-Vice President Biden helped to orchestrate the ouster of Ukraine’s top prosecutor while his son Hunter Biden served on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company that was linked to corruption allegations.

At the time, Joe Biden's effort to remove the prosecutor was in line with the official U.S. anti-corruption stance in Ukraine. The move was also backed by Western leaders and major international institutions, as well as Ukrainian government watchdog groups who saw the prosecutor as corrupt.

“You can darn well expect that if Trump had gotten this information he’d be out there every day saying Ukraine was investigating Joe Biden’s campaign,” Schiff said.

– John Kruzel

Pence ‘hopeful’ for swift outcome of impeachment trial

5:40 p.m.

Vice President Pence told reporters in Iowa that he was “very impressed” with the president’s legal team in the impeachment trial and that he is “hopeful for a quick outcome.”

Pence said he hoped the proceedings would end “soon.”

When asked if voters were better off not hearing from witnesses in the impeachment trial, Pence pointed to the fact that the American people have heard from 17 witnesses who testified during the House impeachment inquiry and that there was a transcript of Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president at the center of the impeachment case.

“I think it would be good for the country for the Senate to vote, to acquit and move on,” Pence said.

Pence also reiterated that he “never” heard Trump tie military aid to an investigation into the Biden family.

– Morgan Chalfant

Schiff suggests limiting impeachment witness depositions to one week 4:50 p.m. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said that closed-door depositions for potential impeachment witnesses could be limited to one week. "I will make an offer to opposing counsel, who says this will stretch on indefinitely if you decide to have a single witness. Let's cabin the depositions to one week," Schiff said from the Senate floor. "I think we can. I think we should. I think we must." The offer appeared to be an effort to counter one of the main arguments from Trump's legal team and Senate Republicans: That opening the door to witnesses will drag out the trial for weeks and months. The offer appeared to be an effort to counter one of the main arguments from Trump's legal team and Senate Republicans: That opening the door to witnesses will drag out the trial for weeks and months.

Trump's legal team has warned repeatedly during the two-day question-and-answer session that allowing new witnesses would be a legally fraught, time consuming effort that would not change the outcome of the trial where 67 votes are needed to convict Trump.

Pat Philbin, a member of Trump's legal team, warned senators on Wednesday that if former national security adviser John Bolton was called Trump would also try to call a "long list" of witnesses.

"It's not a question of a lot of people talking right now about John Bolton," he said. "The president would have the opportunity to call his witness, just as a matter of fundamental fairness."

The Senate will vote on Friday on whether or not to allow witnesses and documents as part of the trial. Democrats will need to win over four Republican senators in order to call witnesses.

– Jordain Carney

GOP senators: Can president ask foreign government to probe political rival? 3:40 p.m. A group of Republican senators, including Susan Collins (Maine), asked if there were instances when it would be appropriate for a president to ask a foreign government to investigate a U.S. citizen, including a political rival, who was not under investigation in the United States. The question appeared to be a reference to President Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during which Trump asked him to help "look into" former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. "It would be hard for me to contemplate circumstances where that would be appropriate," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said. He added that there could be a "legitimate way" for the Justice Department to ask a foreign government to investigate U.S. citizens. Pat Philbin, a member of Trump's legal team, argued that there was "loose talk" on the July 25th phone call but that Trump "didn't ask President Zelensky specifically for an investigation." He added that it could be appropriate for a president to ask a foreign government to investigate a U.S. citizen if the individual had potentially violated that country's law and there was a "national interest" in the case. He added that there could be a "legitimate way" for the Justice Department to ask a foreign government to investigate U.S. citizens.

– Jordain Carney

Defense attorney rattles off Trump's accomplishments to counter House arguments

3:17 p.m.

Dems ask: Who is paying Rudy Giuliani?

2:37 p.m.

A group of Senate Democrats used a question to take aim at Rudy Giuliani, President Trump's personal lawyer, and ask who is paying for his legal fees and travel expenses.



Giuliani indicated last year that he is working pro bono for Trump and specified that the president does not cover his travel abroad.



"The short answer to the question is I don't know who is paying Rudy Giuliani's fees," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in response to the question, describing Giuliani's work as a "corrupt political errand."



He added that Giuliani's work in Ukraine was "normalizing lawlessness of the kind that Rudy Giuliani was engaged in."

“I don’t know who is directly paying the freight for it — but I can tell you the whole country is paying the freight for it," Schiff said.

Giuliani has said that he's traveled to Ukraine in an effort to dig up dirt on former Vice President Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Jay Sekulow Jay Alan SekulowNow, we need the election monitors Judge denies Trump's request for a stay on subpoena for tax records Judge throws out Trump effort to block subpoena for tax returns MORE, a member of Trump's legal team, instead of answering the question asked by Democrats used it as an opening to knock the Bidens.

– Jordain Carney

Schiff: Have we learned nothing since Watergate?

1:55 p.m.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead House impeachment manager, took a jab at President Trump's defense during Thursday's session of the Senate impeachment trial.

"Watergate is now 40-50 years behind us. Have we learned nothing in the last half-century? … It seems like we are back to where we were," Schiff said.

The House manager was referring to a controversial argument made by Alan Dershowitz Alan Morton DershowitzDershowitz suing CNN for 0 million in defamation suit Bannon and Maxwell cases display DOJ press strategy chutzpah Ghislaine Maxwell attorneys ask for delay to unseal court documents due to 'critical new information' MORE, a member of Trump's defense team and an opinion contributor for The Hill, on Wednesday that a president may engage in a quid pro quo as long as the president believes it serves the national interest and no part of the conduct is illegal. He also said seeking to win an election, if a president believes that to be in the country's interest, is not necessarily corrupt.

Rep. Adam Schiff responds to Alan Dershowitz's "astonishing" argument yesterday on quid pro quo: "What we have seen over the last couple days is a descent into constitutional madness." https://t.co/nSPWmzfvQC pic.twitter.com/4UVobbmHh3 — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 30, 2020

Schiff called the argument "astonishing" and said, "What we have seen over the last couple days is a descent into constitutional madness."

He said that the theory was reminiscent of the Watergate scandal that forced former President Nixon to resign. Nixon at the time argued that if a president does commit an illegal act, then it isn't illegal because he's the president.

"We're right back to where we were a half-century ago," Schiff said. "And I would argue that we are in a worse place ... That argument if the president said 'it can’t be illegal' failed and Richard Nixon was forced to resign. But that argument may succeed here."

– Marty Johnson

Roberts rejects question from Paul on whistleblower

1:20 p.m.



Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts refused to read a question submitted by Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.).



Paul submitted the second question of Thursday’s session.



Paul and Roberts have been battling over the question, which was expected to be about the whistleblower at the center of the impeachment inquiry.

A Senate page brought the question from Paul to Roberts, who appeared to pause to read it.

"The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” Roberts said.

Roberts then sat the slip of paper with Paul's question aside and the Senate moved on to the next question.

Paul argued in a brief press conference after the floor drama that his question "made no reference to any whistleblower" and that Roberts' decision was an "incorrect finding."

But Paul then read his question, which names both a staff member for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and the individual who has been reported in conservative media as the possible whistleblower, and asks about their contacts.

– Jordain Carney