Murkowski: 'I cannot vote to convict' Trump

Speaking shortly after House impeachment prosecutors and President Donald Trump's defense team wrapped up ir closing arguments Monday, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called president's actions "shameful and wrong."

But Murkowski also lambasted Congress and highly partisan impeachment process and said on Senate floor, she "cant vote to convict."

"Removal from office and being barred from ever holding ar office of hor, trust or profit under United States is political death penalty," she said.

Most senators ackwledge House Democratic manrs have essentially proven ir case.

Trump was impeached in December on two charges: that he abused his power like or president in history when he pushed Ukraine to investigate rival Democrats, and he n obstructed Congress by instructing aides to defy House subpoenas.

But key Republicans have decided president's actions toward Ukraine do t rise to level of impeachable offense that warrants dramatic political upheaval of conviction and removal from office. His acquittal in Wednesday's vote is all but assured.