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Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiRepublican group targets Graham in ad calling for fair Senate trial Trump attacks Schumer at fiery rally in Michigan Schumer, Pelosi to meet as Democrats debate tactics MORE (D-Calif.) on Wednesdaykick-startedthe hours-long impeachment debate with a speech stating that the House mustmove to impeach President TrumpDonald John TrumpRepublican group targets Graham in ad calling for fair Senate trial Democratic presidential candidates react to Trump impeachment: 'No one is above the law' Trump attacks Schumer at fiery rally in Michigan MOREin order to protect the republic.

Pelosidescribed the role of the House as being the "custodians of the Constitution," saying that Trumpput his own interests ahead of those of the nation when he invited a foreign nation to interfere in an upcoming presidential election in a way that would benefit him politically.

"Our founders' vision is under threat from actions at the White House," Pelosi said on the House floor, wearing all black as she faced her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. "That is why today as Speaker of the House, I sadly and solemnly open the debate on the impeachment of the president of the United States."

Pelosi began her floor speech by asking House members to recallthe meaning ofthe Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag, emphasizingthatthe debate over two articles of impeachment charging Trump with high crimes and misdemeanorswill center around the line in the pledge: "The Republic for which it stands."

And she concludedher remarksbypraising the legacy ofthe late House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah CummingsElijah Eugene CummingsOvernight Defense: House poised for historic vote to impeach Trump | Fifth official leaves Pentagon in a week | Otto Warmbier's parents praise North Korea sanctions bill Pelosi opens impeachment debate: 'Today we are here to defend the Democracy for the people' Pelosi announces Porter, Haaland will sit on Oversight panel MORE (D-Md.), whodiedearlier this year,as well as praisingothermembers for showing courage with their vote to impeach Trump.

"Today we are here to defend the democracy for the people," sheconcluded.

As the Speaker walked off the House floor, Democratsroseina standing ovation.

Democrats argue that Trump dangled the promise of a White House meeting and nearly $400 million in critical U.S. aid as leverage to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to open an investigation into former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenDemocratic presidential candidates react to Trump impeachment: 'No one is above the law' Trump rallies supporters as he becomes third president to be impeached On The Trail: A historic vote that defines legacies MORE and unfounded claims that Ukraine also interfered in the 2016 election.

Republicans, on the other hand, have described the impeachment as a "sham" and "hoax" designed by Democrats to bootTrump from office because they cannot beat him at the ballot box.

Democrats and Republicans are expected tospend roughly six hours onthe House floordebatingthe propriety of Trump's contacts with Ukraine, before the final votes on the articles of impeachmentaretaken up by the lower chamber.

The two impeachment articles abuse of power and obstruction of Congress are expected to pass largely along party lines, making Trump the third president in the nation's history to be impeachedand the first to run for reelection after such a vote takes place.

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Pelosi opens impeachment debate: 'Today we are here to defend the Democracy for the people' | TheHill - The Hill