Read on Twitter
On House floor, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon says she agrees with the calls for unity, but says lawmakers should "come forward in unity to defend the country," not defend an unfit president.
The first Republican speaker, Tom Cole of OK, agrees with the horror of the attack but disagrees with the 25th Amendment resolution, saying it is the Vice President's job, not the House. As he speaks, more Republicans are saying they favor impeachment, which is due Wednesday.
"Vice President Pence's judgment is sound," says Tom Cole. "I personally have strong faith in him."
Republican Debbie Lesko, AZ, insists that Democrats are "further dividing our nation" by pushing Pence to remove the president. She is one of the 147 House members who voted to object to the election last week.
"Lies misinformation and demagoguery have consequences," says Rep. Doris Matsui, supporting the president's removal.
GOP Rep. Lisa McClain of MI justifies the president's incitement by saying that other people have said extreme things. "Impeachment only incites more division."
"The veneer of civilization is paper thin," says Rep. Tom Suozzi, and describes seeing a man last Wednesday wearing a T-shirt saying "Camp Auschwitz Staff." Warns of future planned attacks.
"I do not know where this takes us," says Rep. Jim Jordan, "but it is scary." He is speaking of the provisions of the 25th amendment resolution.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, sponsor of the 25th amendment resolution, says rioters came to "desecrate the temple of democracy and spit in the face of Congress" and that "every person in this room could have died." Quotes Republicans on the severity of the attack.
GOP Rep. Tom McClintock is the first to directly defend the president's conduct. "I have read that speech," he says. "He never urged them to rampage." Says this is a "grotesque abuse" of the 25th amendment because Democrats dislike how Trump is doing his job.
McClintock further says that "intemperate speech" is not a sign of presidential disability and that by saying Trump can't do his job, the House is seeking to take on a new role as "armchair psychiatrists."
"The president called for this seditious attack," says Nancy Pelosi. Says Trump called upon people to "come to Washington for this insurrection." Now, she notes, he says "his incitement to violence was 'totally appropriate.'"
"I heard the previous speaker say that we don't like how the president is doing his job," says Pelosi. "No, we don't like it at all." She then lists a series of crimes.
Jamie Raskin, on extremists who attacked last week: "They are now calling for a return engagement." Protests called for in all 50 states, and DC. "What will the attitude be of the president of the United States?"
Rep. Dan Biship, R-NC, says of the resolution: Democrats "seek to bully the vice president" to invoke the 25th.
"It was an attempt to murder our Congress," says Democrat Steve Cohen of the attack. Says Republicans can "purge themselves of their own creation" by unseating the president.
Steve Chabot, R-OH: The people want to unite, and "they are looking to us for an example.... It time to tone down the political rhetoric," says Chabot, who voted Jan. 6 to object to a democratic election.
"Let's unite against the violence incited by Donald Trump," says Democrat Eric Swalwell.
GOP Rep. Greg Steube refers to the metal detectors being used to prevent members from carrying weapons onto the floor tonight as an "atrocity."
"Esta loco, el hombre," says Rep. Sylvia Garcia, of the president. House rules were changed to allow discussion of the president that would normally be banned as a personal attack.
Of the speakers this evening, one has broken partisan form. Republican John Katko says he'll vote for impeachment, though he opposes the 25th amendment move. GOP Rep. Pat Fallon, in contrast, claims the president merely held a "permitted, legal and peaceful rally."
