Firing Line: Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine discusses the impeachment trial as well as COVID-19 relief package for families.

He said that he is unclear if Former President Donald Trump could be convicted. This is because  forty-five Republicans have raised the question on whether convicting a former president is constitutional or not.

“I would be shocked if even a single one of them would be willing to vote for conviction,” he said.

He believes that the Senate should be focusing on alternatives rather than a trial. He is currently working with Republican Senator Susan Collins to pass a bi-partisan resolution that will bar Trump from future public office.

The first part of the resolution will declare the Capital attack as insurrection. This is because the protestors attempted to prevent the Senators from fulfilling their Constitutional duties. The second part with declare that Trump supported and gave aid to the insurrectionists.

“It will then condemn the President for those actions,” he said.

This resolution will require a sixty vote threshold to pass rather than a sixty-seven vote threshold for conviction in a trial. If Trump wishes to run for office again, the Courts will decided if the resolution should be upheld or not.

He believes that an important part of this document is that it will free up the time for the Senate to focus on COVID-19.

“We are suffering through a once in a century health crisis,” he said.

A major criticism that was brought to the previous stimulus check is that money was distributed unequally. Many people who were not negatively impacted financially received checks alongside those who lost jobs, businesses, and received medical debt due to the pandemic.

“We ought to be trying to do something that’s really going to help people, but with a focus on those who need it the most,” he said.