McConnell wishes Roberts happy birthday at start of trial day

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wished Chief Justice John Roberts a happy birthday on Monday as the Senate resumed President Trump’s impeachment trial.

“On behalf of all of us, happy birthday,” McConnell said, congratulating Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, on another year. “I’m sure this is exactly how you’d planned to celebrate the day.”

Roberts thanked McConnell for the birthday wishes and joked back, “Thank you to all the senators for not asking for the yeas and nays,” causing the Senate floor to erupt in laughter in a rare light moment during the proceedings.

The Senate’s chaplain, Barry Black, was the first to wish the chief justice a happy birthday, ending his prayer with, “Thank you for giving our chief justice another birthday.” 

The Senate began its sixth day of the impeachment trial Monday, with the president’s defense team making their arguments. The trial began last week and saw the House impeachment managers deliver the opening statement.

Roberts is obligated to preside over the trial and is able to rule on all questions of evidence under Senate impeachment rules.

The House impeached the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress last month.