The Senate impeachment vote is widely expected to result in President Trump鈥檚 acquittal on both articles.
One of Ohio鈥檚 senators says that doesn鈥檛 mean senators think he鈥檚 not guilty.
Democrat Sherrod Brown says behind closed doors many of his Republican Senate colleagues acknowledge to him that Trump did something wrong.
鈥淧rivately they tell me they know this president broke the law. Privately they tell me he lies, he cheated and got caught and covered this up," Brown said. "They are not willing to take that next step to vote against the president in public."
Brown says they鈥檙e afraid of how the president would retaliate. Some constituents have suggested senators should be able to cast secret ballots. Brown disagrees.
鈥淏ecause we represent the public our votes should be public. They are public. Maybe if they were private some of my colleagues would grow a backbone, but that鈥檚 not our system,鈥� Brown said. Brown won鈥檛 tip his hand on how he鈥檒l vote.
Ohio's other senator, Republican Rob Portman has indicated that he will not vote to convict the president. While he acknowledges Trump鈥檚 actions were inappropriate, he doesn鈥檛 think they were severe enough to remove him from office.
鈥淚mpeachment is not appropriate here, one because it鈥檚 not what the founders intended for impeachment to be used for. They meant it to be a very rare occurrence. Treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors is how they described it. And removing a duly elected president they believe, the founders demand, a very high, high standard. I don鈥檛 see that in this case,鈥� Portman said.
The Senate vote is set for 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.
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