The U.S. House Intelligence Committee is hearing impeachment inquiry testimony Tuesday from several top national security aides who listened in on a July phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council's top Ukraine expert, are speaking to lawmakers in the0903 morning session.  Both expressed concerns about the phone call that is at the center of the investigation into Trump's alleged efforts to pressure Ukrainian officials to investigate his political rivals.

In the afternoon, the committee is due to hear from Kurt Volker, the former U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, and Tim Morrison, who served as the senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council before resigning last month.

The sessions are part of a busy week on Capitol Hill with a total of nine witnesses scheduled to appear in five hearings between Tuesday and Thursday.

Trump said Monday he would "strongly consider" testifying in writing to the House Intelligence Committee.

The president was replying to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who told CBS television’s Face the Nation, "The president could come right before the committee and talk, speak all the truth that he wants ... or he could do it in writing. He has every opportunity to present his case."

She added if Trump "has information that is exculpatory — that means ex, taking away, culpable, blame — then we look forward to seeing it."

Almost two years ago, Trump said he was ready and willing to testify in person as special counsel Robert Mueller investigated Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, and whether as president, Trump had attempted to obstruct the probe.

Source : VOA