(UTV|Trump Impeachment) – All eyes were on four Republican senators ahead of Friday to see if they would vote to call witnesses to Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
If four moderate Republicans decide to vote with Democrats, it is likely the trial will hear from the former National Security Adviser, John Bolton.
Senior Republicans had pushed for a speedy trial with no witnesses or new evidence presented to senators.
But reports that Mr Bolton may have damning testimony shifted the calculus.
Senators sat in session on Thursday for a second day of questions to Democratic impeachment managers and Trump defence lawyers. The senators are expected to vote on witnesses on Friday.
Why are the four so important?
The four moderate Republicans – Senators Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Lamar Alexander – have all indicated they remain undecided on how to vote.
All four would be required to vote with a unanimous Democratic block in order to achieve the necessary Senate majority.
Senator Alexander appeared poised on Thursday to announce his decision, telling the Washington Post that he would make his mind up after the final questions in the Senate chamber.
According to Huffington Post reporter Ryan Reilly, Mr Alexander had a Senate page deliver a note to Senator Mitch McConnell – the most senior Republican in the Senate, who has led the charge for a speedy acquittal of President Trump.
“McConnell let it sit on his lap for a couple minutes, then read it and stuffed it in his suit jacket pocket. McConnell’s face is tough to read. But he didn’t look in Alexander’s direction,” Mr Reilly wrote on Twitter.