Sens. Ron Johnson and Mike Lee, left, Speaker Mike Johnson, right, and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (Getty Images)
At least 10 Republican senators said they were actively pressuring the speaker to delay delivering the articles in order to prevent Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Democratic caucus from tabling the trial ahead of the weekend and sending senators home shortly after, a source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital.
Schumer told senators in a dear colleague letter last week that proceedings would begin Thursday per procedure once the articles are delivered on Wednesday as expected. Johnson had indicated the delivery date in a letter previously sent to Schumer.
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The GOP senators discussed their attempts to persuade Johnson during a lunch held at the National Republican Senatorial Committee's headquarters on Tuesday, the source said. Two of the senators actively working to convince the speaker to hold off on delivery are Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., their offices confirmed.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined at right by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., speaks to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting, at the Capitol, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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"This is our job," Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., stressed during a press conference Tuesday.
Several Senate Republicans slammed Schumer during the press conference over their expectation that he would look to quickly off ramp the trial. However, Schumer has not suggested what Democrats will do.
Democratic senators have previously indicated to Fox News Digital that they believe their caucus will seek such a strategic procedural maneuver.
Sen. Mike Lee speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Nov. 30, 2023. (Bill Clark)
"They are nuking a provision of the Constitution," Lee said during a Republican press conference on Tuesday.
The Utah Republican additionally told reporters, "I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for his bold willingness to delay this."
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"He does not want Senate Democrats, especially those on the ballot in November, to vote guilty or not guilty," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said.
Schumer did not provide comment to Fox News Digital.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
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