Stay awake: Senators struggle to stay focused on impeachment

am Schiff was still speaking — about witnesses, documents, future presidents and impeachment of President Donald Trump. He'd said it all before, but five hours into Senate trial Tuesday, Schiff, le prosecutor, was saying it again. Suddenly, from Republican side, Sen. James Risch of Idaho raised his left hand so Schiff could see it and pointed, repeatedly, to his wristwatch. Time's up, Risch signaled. He was right: It was time to vote, and — perhaps as important — it would soon be time for dinner. Schiff yielded, and senators rose to vote and n quietly left chamber.

" subject matter is something we’ve all heard,” Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., told reporters.  understatement helps explain what seemed to be a widespre struggle with attention late Tuesday as arguments in abuse and obstruction trial stretched into late evening. It's a challenge anyone who's served on a jury might understand, but senators try t to complain, given ermous political stakes of trial during 2020 election year.

About a third of senators are up for re-election. more senior members are on-camera during proceedings. Anyone falling asleep — and a few senators looked like y might have Monday — during only third impeachment trial in history would have some explaining to do.  urge to d off stems in part from familiarity of arguments. y have all heard story of Trump's pressure on Ukraine. Only a handful claim to have t me up ir minds on wher Trump should be removed from office. And outcome — impeached president's acquittal — seems clear. Still, trial is expected to cover tedious, familiar territory six days a week until it is resolved.

One piece of good news for attention-challenged: Senate voted Tuesday to tre 12-hour days for 8-hour days when opening arguments begin. And both sides are using audiovisual aides to keep people awake. Lawyer Jay Sekulow did a bit of pointing and raising his voice at one point late in proceedings, which seemed to perk people up. But inside crowded, trition-bound chamber, senators have little to do besides take tes and listen. Phones and coffee are banned. So are talking and passing tes to each or. re's pacing around chamber. Snacks are tritionally frowned upon, though Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., could be seen popping something into his mouth and chewing as he wrote on a tep.

Senators in both parties paid close attention and took tes, highlighted papers and listened intently — at least at first. One of most prolific te-takers throughout proceedings was Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a centrist in a tough reelection fight this year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of four Democratic presidential candidates forced back to Senate ahe of Iowa caucuses, held both a blue pen and yellow pencil in her right hand and alternated which she used to take tes. Ors appeared to struggle to maintain attention as hours wore on. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a presidential hopefuls who has openly complained about having to be in Washington, yawned and at one point tipped his he back on his chair.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, ar Democratic presidential candidate, appeared to be subtly chewing something at length, possibly gum, as Schiff spoke. A few hours in, visitors' galleries were less than half full. A staff area of Senate floor h extra chairs but few people sitting re. Senators periodically gazed up into galleries, a rare occurrence. “y've alrey presented ir entire case about three times alrey, and apparently we're going to hear it two or three more times tonight,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.