The committee will come to order.

This is the first in a series of public hearings.

With that I now recognize myself to give an opening statement in the impeachment inquiry. the this is Article 2, Inside Impeachment.

I'm Steve Kurnaki today is Wednesday, November 13th.

House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff kicked off the new phase of the inquiry today.

If you would both rise and raise your right hand I will begin by

swearing you in. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and Ukraine

envoy Bill Taylor appeared for testimony under subpoena. They were sitting at the same table and facing

lawmakers. I have served proudly as a nonpartisan career foreign service officer

for more than 27 years under five presidents, three Republican and two Democrat.

I want to emphasize at the outset that while I am aware that the committee has requested

my testimony as part of impeachment proceedings I am not here to

take one side or the other or to advocate for any particular outcome of these

proceedings. One of the most surprising moments of today's hearing came an hour and a half in when Ambassador

Taylor in his opening statement revealed new information in the inquiry about an aide who overheard

President Trump

ask EU Ambassador Gordon Sunland on the phone

about quote, the investigations.

At the time I gave my deposition on October 22nd, I was not aware of this information. I'm including it here for completeness.

So a bit of bombshell news there, some testy exchanges, and more than five hours of testimony.

Today on Article II, we're telling you what you need to know from today's hearings.

And with Democrats and Republicans each trying to make their point to voters on impeachment,

...