Sen. Chris Van Hollen Christopher (Chris) Van HollenCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Mid-Atlantic states sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution MORE (D-Md.) defended Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? MORE's (D-Calif.) decision to not send the House-passed articles of impeachment to the Senate until parameters of a trial in the upper chamber are agreed upon.

"Speaker Pelosi is doing exactly the right thing," Van Hollen said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "She is focusing a spotlight on the need to have a fair trial in the United States Senate."

"And it's especially necessary when you have 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, Sen. McConnell, who you quoted earlier, saying publicly that he is not going to be an impartial juror, even though that's what the oath will require, that he's going to work in lockstep with the president, who is the defendant in this case, and that he’s already said no to calling fact witnesses that have direct knowledge of what's at stake in this impeachment," he added, referring to the Senate Republican leader.

.@ChrisVanHollen says Speaker Pelosi is doing “exactly the right thing” by holding articles of #impeachment to influence how an impeachment trial will be handled in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/epQUWvUwOc — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) December 22, 2019

Democrats have been pushing for witnesses to be called during the Senate impeachment trial, but Republicans have pushed back.

"What's a trial without each side being able to call their witnesses?" Van Hollen asked.

"If it was such a 'perfect' phone call, then send on Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyOn The Money: House panel pulls Powell into partisan battles | New York considers hiking taxes on the rich | Treasury: Trump's payroll tax deferral won't hurt Social Security Blockchain trade group names Mick Mulvaney to board Mick Mulvaney to start hedge fund MORE down to talk about that phone call. Send John Bolton John BoltonJudge appears skeptical of Bolton's defense of publishing book without White House approval Maximum pressure is keeping US troops in Iraq and Syria Woodward book trails Bolton, Mary Trump in first-week sales MORE, what are they afraid of?" he added, referring to the acting White House chief of staff and former national security adviser.

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The House voted last week largely along party lines in favor of two articles of impeachment -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- over 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 request during a phone call with Ukraine's leader for investigations that could help him politically.

Pelosi has yet to confirm when she will send the articles to the upper chamber, as McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck 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.) look to reach a deal on the parameters of the process.

Democrats have railed against McConnell for saying that he will work in "total coordination" with the White House during the trial.