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The Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by UANI — Judiciary Democrats approve two articles of impeachment against Trump | Trump says Dems 'trivializing' impeachment | What's next | Senate set for fight over witnesses | McConnell vows 'total coordination' with White House on strategy | Trump sets personal record for tweets in one day | Trump announces 'Phase One' China trade deal | James Comey James Brien ComeySteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Judge will not dismiss McCabe's case against DOJ Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE on 'Fox News Sunday' | DC to get mobile metro cards

BREAKING NEWS OF THE MORNING

House Judiciary Committee approves two articles of impeachment:

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance two articles of impeachment this morning to charge 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 with high crimes and misdemeanors. http://bit.ly/2RMUGmc

Impeachment article No. 1: Abuse of power: The vote was 23-17, along party lines.

Impeachment article No. 2: Obstruction of Congress: The vote was 23-17.

Video from the end of the vote: http://bit.ly/2rziL5p

Photo of the clerk’s roll call for the impeachment articles: Via The Hill’s Olivia Beavers: http://bit.ly/2RLFCoV

Photo of the room during the vote: http://bit.ly/2tfluBm

How long the vote took: The committee adjourned after 10 minutes.

IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE:

Here’s the livestream: https://cs.pn/2PjrmlN

Spotted — right before the committee vote:

Rudy arrives to the White House today as the House Judiciary Committee prepares to vote on impeachment articles pic.twitter.com/uWa6cyaKO1 — Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) December 13, 2019

Happy Friday! I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

REACTIONS:

From Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz Matthew (Matt) GaetzSunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election Trump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick Florida attorney general scrutinizing Bloomberg paying fines for felons to vote MORE (R-Fla.): “For Democrats, impeachment is their drug.” http://bit.ly/38ykubC

From CNN’s Dana Bash Dana BashTrump says officials will investigate whether California is using 1619 Project in classrooms Veterans Affairs secretary defends Trump: 'I judge a man by his actions' GOP senator dismisses national intelligence director election security briefings: 'This is blown way out of proportion' MORE: "Sometimes history is fascinating and fun. And sometimes history is somber and momentous. And this one was the latter." http://bit.ly/2PJB3su

Tidbit: “Republicans [did not have] a presser after the vote. Their mood was one of silent anger.” (Via The Hill’s Olivia Beavers) http://bit.ly/2PMyS7s

Trump invites Republicans to the White House: President Trump invited Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee to gather at the White House today after having to miss a holiday party for the impeachment articles markup. http://bit.ly/2Ph5ffy

Just now from President Trump: "You're trivializing impeachment," Trump said. "And I tell you what, someday there will be a Democrat president and there will be a Republican House, and I suspect they're going to remember it." He also called the inquiry a "hoax" and a sham." Trump's full comments: http://bit.ly/38Drp3a

PHOTO OF THE DAY

‘Describe the impeachment hearings in one image':

This pretty much sums it up. pic.twitter.com/Z7VIdf4QYA — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) December 13, 2019

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT

The battle over witnesses in the Senate may not be pretty...:

Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, “Republican and Democratic senators are gearing up for an intense battle over witnesses at an impeachment trial likely to set the tone for the 2020 election.” http://bit.ly/2EgT38u

Are both sides even talking yet?: No, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHawley warns Schumer to steer clear of Catholic-based criticisms of Barrett Senate GOP set to vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick before election Harris slams Trump's Supreme Court pick as an attempt to 'destroy the Affordable Care Act' MORE (R-Ky.) and Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' MORE (D-N.Y.) have not begun discussions over details of the trial, but lawmakers are already jockeying over the details.

INTERESTING TIDBIT — HOW SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE TAKING A PAGE FROM HOUSE REPUBLICAN MESSAGING:

“House Republicans repeatedly decried the House impeachment process as a sham as the Judiciary Committee debated articles of impeachment on Thursday. Once impeachment moves to the Senate, Democrats might borrow that line to accuse McConnell and the GOP of running a sham trial if they move to hold it speedily and without key witnesses.” http://bit.ly/2EgT38u

MCCONNELL’S STRATEGY — LOCKING ARMS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE:

http://bit.ly/2PLtnpC

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Commence Phase One:

Late this morning, President Trump announced that the U.S. and China have agreed to a “Phase One” of a trade deal that would reduce tariffs from both sides and increase the purchase of U.S. agricultural products. http://bit.ly/38D9k5i

Trump tweeted: “We have agreed to a very large Phase One Deal with China. They have agreed to many structural changes and massive purchases of Agricultural Product, Energy, and Manufactured Goods, plus much more. The 25% Tariffs will remain as is, with 7 1/2% put on much of the remainder ... The Penalty Tariffs set for December 15th will not be charged because of the fact that we made the deal. We will begin negotiations on the Phase Two Deal immediately, rather than waiting until after the 2020 Election. This is an amazing deal for all. Thank you!” http://bit.ly/2LTu1QR

Ladies and gentlemen, we appear to have set a record:

Via The Hill’s Brett Samuels, President Trump set a personal record for the most number of tweets in a single day since taking office. http://bit.ly/2qNWhNr

The number: 123 tweets/retweets in 24 hours

His previous record: 105 tweets in a day, a record that he set a few days ago.

The topic of most of his tweets: The obvious — ripping the House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment hearings.

IN CONGRESS

We can all relax now:

Via The Hill’s Niv Elis, lawmakers have reached a deal to fund the government and avoid a shutdown next week. http://bit.ly/36qX4TE

OK, so what’s in the deal?: That’s still unclear. “Details of the legislation remain under wraps, but House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerCentrist Democrats got their COVID bill, now they want a vote House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline MORE (D-Md.) said he expects to bring the legislation up for a vote on Tuesday, likely grouped into at least two [of the twelve] packages.”

Will Trump sign the deal?: Democrats are assured that President Trump will sign the deal.

What we know about the deal and what’s next: http://bit.ly/36qX4TE

SPONSORED CONTENT - UANI

Thousands of civilians flooded the streets of Tehran to protest conditions under the regime’s leadership – and they were met with a massacre. The U.S. and Europe must condemn this human rights crisis. Learn more.

NOTABLE TWEETS

This is pretty wild:

A fishing crew shot this video of a knock-down, drag-out fight between an octopus and bald eagle off the coast of northern Vancouver Island.



Read more about how they rescued the raptor: https://t.co/NW7hCPebDH pic.twitter.com/eNhskH86rA — CBC British Columbia (@cbcnewsbc) December 11, 2019

Watch: http://bit.ly/2RPEeSi

Oh wowww:

Spotted by my mom pic.twitter.com/kfIqqQbwoP — Dave Jorgenson (@davejorgenson) December 12, 2019

http://bit.ly/36vJQVH



ON TAP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump is at the White House. Vice President Pence is in Washington, D.C. and is heading to Indianapolis later today.

11 a.m. EST: President Trump meets with the president of Paraguay.

2 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceTrump met with chants of protest as he pays respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg How fast population growth made Arizona a swing state The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony MORE leave for Indianapolis.

4:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence participates in a roundtable discussion with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R).

8:15 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE host a Christmas Reception in the White House.

WHAT TO WATCH

Sunday morning: Former FBI Director James Comey will appear exclusively on “Fox News Sunday.” http://bit.ly/2Eb0VIy

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Cocoa Day.

It. Is. About. Time.:

Via WAMU, D.C. metro riders will be able to use their iPhones and Apple Watches as their mobile metro cards starting next year. Details: http://bit.ly/35mu9zW

And to get your weekend off to the right start, here’s THE PERFECT gift for any cat lovers in your lives: http://bit.ly/2YJeus2