argument is taking shape against the schumer proposal. what the republicans are saying privately and some are indicating this publicly as well is that they believe that the house s job was to get those witnesses, those four witnesses that schumer requested, mick mulvaney, the acting chief of staff, john bolton, the former national security adviser, as well as a top aid to mick mulvaney, rob blair and the top office of management and budget official, michael duffey, who declined to appear before the house impeachment inquiry. the republicans are arguing it was the house s job to do that. it was the house s decision not to go to court to secure their testimony and what the republicans are planning to argue is their job is not fact finders. that s the house s job and because the house did not go that route they re not going to request witnesses who did not appear before the house committee, so expect republicans to make that argument bullet th ultimate question is will