In a response to a request from Senate conservatives, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has decided to delay sending two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas until next week. Previously, the House had planned to send the articles to the Senate on Wednesday.

According to Johnson's spokesperson, Taylor Haulsee, the decision to postpone the transmission of the impeachment articles is aimed at ensuring that the Senate has sufficient time to carry out its constitutional duty. Haulsee emphasized that there is no valid reason for the Senate to neglect its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial.

Expressing gratitude for the delay, Senate Steering Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah) stated that he didn't want the articles to arrive just as senators were about to leave for the weekend, potentially under the fatigue of travel. Lee stressed that it would be more advantageous to begin the impeachment proceedings at the start of a legislative week rather than toward the end.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) remarked that the timing is entirely up to Johnson, indicating that House impeachment managers will present the charges against Mayorkas to the Senate once Johnson decides. Upon the managers' presentation, the Senate's impeachment procedures will commence, with senators being sworn in as jurors the day after.

Originally scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, the presentation of the articles will now take place next week. This delay means that it will coincide with the consideration of legislation to extend the expiring FISA expanded surveillance authorities, which is facing an April 19 deadline.

Responding to the revised timeline, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced that Senate Democrats are fully prepared to swiftly dismiss the impeachment charges whenever they arrive from the House. Schumer reiterated their commitment to promptly act and move the process forward as expeditiously as possible.

The new timeline sets the stage for intense debates and hearings in the Senate next week as the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas begins. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.