about a handful of republicans whose views on impeachment remain unclear. >> sometimes you look to the moderates and think they'll behave differently. >> if the president has got a defense, this would be the moment for him to present it. >> all these hearings down in the basement. they haven't presented any direct evidence to show the president was involved in any crime. >> calling witnesses for the republicans is simply opening a pandora's box. >> this is "new day" with alisyn camerota and john berman. >> good morning, everyone. welcome to your "new day." tuesday, december 17th, 8:00 in the east. what is expected to be an unruly meeting of the house rules committee -- >> uh-oh, irony. >> i think it was mostly just a pawn. >> the house unruly committee. >> i like that. that's what we'll call that. >> in just under three hours, they'll get under way. democrats will present how they want tomorrow's full house vote on impeachment to play out and republicans are expected to push back.