VOA常速英语2019--特朗普弹劾案后，国会放假

Following Trump Impeachment, Congress Breaks for Holidays

Last week in Washington Donald Trump became only the third president impeached,

上周在华盛顿，唐纳德·特朗普成为第三位被弹劾的总统， 

following a full but mostly party line vote in the US House of Representatives.

在美国众议院进行了全面但主要是党派路线的投票。 

Today as Speaker of the House,

今天作为众议院议长， 

I soundly and sadly opened the debate on the impeachment of the President of the United States.

我痛心疾首地开始了关于弹劾美国总统的辩论。 

If we do not act now,we would be derelict in our duty.

如果我们现在不行动，我们的职责就会被抛弃。 

It is tragic that the president’s reckless actions make impeachment necessary.

可悲的是，总统的鲁莽行为使弹劾成为必要。 

He gave us no choice.

他让我们别无选择。 

Democrats accused Trump of abusing the power of the presidency to benefit himself.

民主党人指责特朗普滥用总统权力使自己受益。 

Republicans call the impeachment process politically motivated.

共和党人称弹劾过程是出于政治动机。 

For the very first time in modern history,

这是现代史上第一次， 

we’ve seen a political faction in Congress promised from the moment.

从那一刻起，我们就看到国会中有一个政治派别作出了承诺。 

The moment a president election ended they would find some way to overturn it.

总统选举一结束，他们就会想办法推翻它。 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has rejected Democrats demands

参议院多数党领袖米奇·麦康奈尔拒绝民主党的要求 

to have key aides testify at a Trump impeachment trial.

让主要助手在弹劾审判中作证。 

I have yet to hear one good argument why less evidence is better than more evidence.

我还没有听到一个很好的论据来说明为什么证据越少越好。 

For witnesses only those with direct knowledge of the charges made by the House.

这只适用于那些直接知道法庭指控的证人。 

Only those who could provide new relevant and potentially illuminating testimony.

只有那些能够提供新的、相关的、具有潜在启发性的证词的人。 

Senators would act as jurors in an impeachment trial.

参议员将在弹劾审判中担任陪审员。 

One of them said Sunday the charges against Trump are pretty thin gruel.

其中一人周日说，对特朗普的指控毫无根据。 

I will support the president in the type of trial he wants,and the types of witnesses he wants to bring.

我会支持总统进行他想要的审判，以及他想带什么样的证人。 

But again I also think it’d be totally appropriate to have the House put on their case,the president put on his case.

但我也认为众议院处理他们的案子是完全合适的，处理总统的案子。 

And then decide what we’re gonna do after that point.

然后决定在那之后我们要做什么。 

Meanwhile Democrats continue questioning the president’s motives.

与此同时，民主党人继续质疑总统的动机。 

If a president of the United States using his office the power of the presidency against a country

如果美国总统依赖美利坚合众国利用他的职权， 

that is dependent upon the United States of America.

来对付一个国家。 

If he’s doing that just to get a political advantage for his own personal campaign,

如果他这么做只是为了在自己的竞选中获得政治优势， 

that is a serious serious matter.

这是一个严重的问题。 

Congress is in recess for the holidays until early January.

国会放假到1月初。 

When House lawmakers may decide on sending their articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.

届时众议院议员可能会决定将他们的弹劾条款提交参议院审判。