The House spent six hours Wednesday debating two articles of impeachment against President Trump before ultimately passing both on a largely party-line vote.
While much of the debate rehashed both parties’ well-practiced talking points, there were also lively moments, clashes between lawmakers, applause and boo’s, and eyebrow-raising comparisons.
Here are the top moments from the floor debate:
Gohmert vs. Nadler
In his remarks to the House, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), visibly perturbed, said impeachment proceedings were being used to “stop the investigation of the U.S. Department of Justice and Ukraine into the corruption of Ukraine interference into the U.S. election in 2016.”
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) – the ranking member on the Judiciary panel – replied after Gohmert’s time had expired: “I am deeply concerned that any member of the House would spout Russian propaganda on the floor of the House.”
Nadler’s response apparently didn’t sit well Gohmert who began to yell and point his finger at the New York Democrat. Debate moderator Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), put down Gohmert’s outburst by banging her gavel and repeatedly saying the “House will come to order.”
Both career Russia experts who testified in the House impeachment inquiry and reports from intelligence officials have refuted Gohmert’s claims. Fiona Hill, a former top Russia analyst for the White House, fiercely disputed Republican claims of Ukraine meddling, warning during an impeachment hearing last month that Russia is benefiting from the spread of this “fictional narrative.”
Pelosi gets standing ovation
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) opened the floor debate by describing the House as the “custodians of the Constitution.”
“Our founders’ vision is under threat from actions at the White House,” Pelosi told her colleagues.
“That is why today as Speaker of the House, I sadly and solemnly open the debate on the impeachment of the president of the United States,” she continued.
Pelosi, along with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), have been the driving forces of House Democrats’ impeachment proceedings.
As Pelosi walked off the House floor, Democrats praised her with a standing ovation.
Trump reacts
When asked by the press pool if President Trump would be watching the House proceedings, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham he “will be working all day. He will be briefed by staff throughout that day, and could catch some of the proceedings between meetings.”
Soon after Grisham’s statement, the president took to Twitter. In all-caps, he tweeted: “SUCH ATROCIOUS LIES BY THE RADICAL LEFT, DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS. THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!”
GOP lawmaker compares impeachment to crucifixion of Christ
“When Jesus was falsely accused of treason, Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers,” Loudermilk told his congressional colleagues.
“During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus, than Democrats have afforded this president in this process,” he continued.
Later in the debate another lawmaker, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), said that like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Wednesday was a day that “would live in infamy.”