U.S. Senate adopts rules for Trump impeachment trial

The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution outlining the ground rules for U.S. President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, which blocks Democrats' attempts to subpoena more witnesses and documents.

In a 53-47 party-line vote, the senators backed the trial plan offered earlier by Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell.

It allows the House 'managers', who are acting as prosecutors, to present their opening arguments later today and delays a debate over whether to call witnesses until the middle of the trial. This is when some Republic senators indicated they could change their mind and hear additional testimony, Sputnik reported.

The Republicans agreed to soften their previous plans to cram the 24 hours of opening arguments for each side in just two days. Instead, those 24 hours will be spread over three days. However, the resolution means that the trial will be held largely on the Republicans' terms.