Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald Trump, the question now turns to whether enough Senators will search their consciences and then stand up for the rule of law.
Over and over again today during the speechmaking that preceded the House vote, House member after House member declared sternly: "No-one, not even the president, is above the law." But apparently, only the Democratic members of the House feel that way.
As he gave the Republicans' closing argument, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California declared to applause, "Donald J. Trump is president of the United States," adding that he will be president after the vote is taken and after the impeachment proceedings conclude in the Senate.
He could say that with confidence, of course, because the GOP controls the Senate and their leaders, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have already said the outcome has been decided.
No witnesses are needed, they said. No more facts need be considered. In effect, it's rigged, the facts be damned.
It doesn't matter that Trump tried to trade the power of our nation to the president of Ukraine in return for an investigation of his most dangerous political opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden. And then, he tried to obstruct Congress' effort to investigate and uncover the relevant facts.
That simply amounts to selling out our country for his own political advantage.
Nevertheless, in the Senate, it will be game over -- unless enough Republicans find within themselves the courage to put their country over their own political fortunes.
In all likelihood, that is far too much to ask.