GOP adopts slow-down strategy to stifle inquiry

Republicans are now pulling a page from that playbook in hopes of smothering the impeachment inquiry arising from Trump’s communications with Ukraine before it gains any more steam.

A number of rank-and-file Democrats have warned that a long-drawn-out impeachment investigation carries risks for the party in a high-stakes election cycle when they’re trying to protect dozens of vulnerable incumbents. And Republicans clearly see an advantage to running out the clock.

“It forces Democrats to be open and deliberate about their intentions, rather than what they’re doing now — which is sort of a disguised, half-hearted and unauthorized inquiry with no rules, guidelines or many members actually on record,” said one senior GOP aide.