Ramps up today. This morning, well see legal briefs from the house Impeachment Managers and trumps legal team. But we already have a preview from mr. Trumps newest lawyer who says the trial is completely unconstitutional. And there are new warnings from one Prominent Senate republican who claims next weeks trial could lead to delays in President Bidens agenda and cabinet confirmations. Were going to begin with new reporting on the pandemic relief talks. Joining us, john harwood and aisha roscoe, a White House Correspondent for npr. John, i want to put on the screen this picture, this remarkable picture of people actually having a conversation, a civil conversation about substantive issues. President biden with nine inperson republicans, one on zoom, and when i saw this, john, i realized what you had been trying to tell me patiently about your reporting and your analysis. That sometimes bipartisan is the way you go about doing things, even if what you ultimately agree on isnt 100 unanim
To that and how they will defend him. Weve got a lot to get to. Lets go to our colleague lauren fox on capitol hill. Good morning to you, lauren. So at least the optics were of progress in the oval office yesterday. Susan collins leading that meeting with the president. But was there substantive progress . Well, sure. I think republicans felt it was a good meeting, a Good Opportunity to speak directly with the president about what their hopes are for their own covid relief package. But, look, democrats are charging forward with their plan to use that budgetary tactic to go ahead and pass that 1. 9 trillion bill with just democratic votes. They are arguing essentially that republicans are willing, if they are willing, they are allowed to come forward and vote for this process. They are welcome to be a part of it, but they are saying they need to be bold, they need to go bold and you saw that yesterday reflected in the statement from the White House Press secretary after that meeting had