Stay awake: Senators struggle to stay focused on impeachment

About a third of the senators are up for re-election. The more senior members are on-camera during the proceedings. Anyone falling asleep — and a few senators looked like they might have Monday — during only the third impeachment trial in history would have some explaining to do.

The urge to nod off stems in part from the familiarity of the arguments. They have all heard the story of Trump’s pressure on Ukraine. Only a handful claim to have not made up their minds on whether Trump should be removed from office. And the outcome — the impeached president’s acquittal — seems clear. Still, the trial is expected to cover tedious, familiar territory six days a week until it is resolved.

One piece of good news for the attention-challenged: The Senate voted Tuesday to trade 12-hour days for 8-hour days when opening arguments begin. And both sides are using audiovisual aides to keep people awake. Lawyer Jay Sekulow did a bit of pointing and raising his voice at one point late in the proceedings, which seemed to perk people up.

But inside the crowded, tradition-bound chamber, senators have little to do besides take notes and listen. Phones and coffee are banned. So are talking and passing notes to each other. There’s no pacing around the chamber. Snacks are traditionally frowned upon, though Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., could be seen popping something into his mouth and chewing as he wrote on a notepad.

Senators in both parties paid close attention and took notes, highlighted papers and listened intently — at least at first.

One of the most prolific note-takers throughout the proceedings was Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a centrist in a tough reelection fight this year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of four Democratic presidential candidates forced back to the Senate ahead of the Iowa caucuses, held both a blue pen and yellow pencil in her right hand and alternated which she used to take notes.

Others appeared to struggle to maintain attention as the hours wore on. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a presidential hopefuls who has openly complained about having to be in Washington, yawned and at one point tipped his head back on his chair.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, another Democratic presidential candidate, appeared to be subtly chewing something at length, possibly gum, as Schiff spoke.

A few hours in, the visitors’ galleries were less than half full. A staff area of the Senate floor had extra chairs but few people sitting there. Senators periodically gazed up into the galleries, a rare occurrence.

“They’ve already presented their entire case about three times already, and apparently we’re going to hear it two or three more times tonight,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

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Associated Press Writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Alan Fram contributed to this report.

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Follow Kellman on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/APLaurieKellman

Laurie Kellman, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Stay awake: Senators struggle to stay focused on impeachment

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