Senate impeachment timetable at a glance

Senate Majority Leer Mitch McConnell plans to seek a speedy impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. In a Senate resolution released Monday evening, McConnell laid out structure for trial's opening phase, with votes on witnesses deferred until next week. resolution would permit Trump's lawyers to move early on to acquit president and sets up a vote next week on calling witnesses such as former national security viser John Bolton.

How trial would go under McConnell's plan:

IMMEDIATE FIGHT

McConnell's resolution does t specifically allow for witnesses to testify, and Democrats promise to try to guarantee witnesses, documents and or evidence to be part of trial. Any debate on se topics must be conducted in closed session under Senate's impeachment rules.

INITIAL MOTIONS

After Senate opts organizing resolution, which itself will consume Tuesday, legal teams for Trump and House on Wednesday will be able to offer motions on housekeeping questions involving matters or than evidence or witnesses. In ory, Trump could move to dismiss case altoger, but that's unlikely.

OPENING ARGUMENTS

House impeachment manrs, led by Rep. am Schiff, D-Calif., will have 24 hours — packed into only two days — to make ir opening arguments. White House will have same amount of time to respond, though Trump's lawyers may t use it all.

QUESTION TIME

Sixteen hours will be reserved for senators to ask questions of both legal teams. Those questions will be posted in writing through Chief Justice John Roberts.

WITNESSES

key question of wher to call witnesses and which ones to call will be considered with up to four hours of argument by White House and House Democrats. Senate may go into closed session to debate furr and n have a series of votes. If witnesses are called, y will be deposed before any potential live Senate testimony.

GUILTY OR T GUILTY?

After Senate finishes its deliberations, it will vote on two impeachment articles, which requires a two-thirds vote to find Trump guilty and remove him from office. Trump is likely to be found t guilty.