House to vote on resolution providing a 'path forward' for the impeachment inquiry

The House of Representatives is set to take a vote on the impeachment inquiry's next steps.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Monday a resolution will be brought to the floor this week that "affirms the ongoing, existing investigation." It establishes the procedure for open hearings in the inquiry, "authorizes the disclosure of deposition transcripts, outlines procedures to transfer evidence to the Judiciary Committee as it considers potential articles of impeachment, and sets forth due process rights for" President Trump, Pelosi said.

The White House has criticized Democrats for not taking a formal floor vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry, and Pelosi says in her letter that this resolution is intended to "eliminate any doubt as to whether" Trump can refuse to comply, though she still asserts that no full floor vote need be taken to authorize the inquiry. This will be the House's first floor vote having to do with impeachment, CNN reports.

Politico's Jake Sherman notes that although Democrats "sidestepped" a formal impeachment vote, this is "basically a proxy" for it. The vote is set for Thursday, with House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) telling The Washington Post it will "ensure transparency and provide a clear path forward," adding that it's the "right thing to do for the institution and the American people."