Trump impeachment trial live updates: Biden makes 1st comments on acquittal

Impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., argued in his opening statement that this case is a matter of protecting the Constitution, by pursuing high crimes.

"President Trump has sent his lawyers here today to try to stop the Senate from hearing the facts of this case. They want to call the trial over before any evidence is even introduced," Raskin said. "Their argument is that if you commit an impeachable offense in your last few weeks in office, you do it with constitutional impunity. You get away with it."

Trump's legal team has argued the trial is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office. Trump's team is denying he violated the oath of office. Its brief argues that Trump's use of social media and comments made on Jan. 6 are protected by the First Amendment.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer presented the trial's organizing resolution -- which he said was negotiated to and agreed on by leaders of both parties to govern the structure of Trump's second impeachment trial -- ahead of a full vote in the chamber.

"It's our solemn constitutional duty to conduct a fair and honest impeachment trial of the charges against former President Trump, the gravest charges ever brought against a president of the United States in American history," Schumer said from the Senate floor. "This resolution provides for a fair trial and I urge the Senate to adopt it."

Senators participated in a roll call vote on the impeachment resolution, and it passed with bipartisan support: 89-11.

House impeachment managers and Trump's defense team now have up to two hours each to argue the constitutionality of the trial before the Senate votes on whether to dismiss it.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has gaveled the Senate to order, officially convening the impeachment trial. Leahy is currently the most senior Democratic senator, the president pro tempore, and as such is presiding over the proceedings.

The Senate chaplain led senators in a prayer and then the Pledge of Allegiance. After the Senate completed its morning business, the acting Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway issued a proclamation beginning with, "Hear ye! Hear ye!" to the Senate chamber.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

The House impeachment managers, who will act as the prosecutors during the trial, gathered to walk to the Senate chamber.

The House impeachment managers include Rep. Jamie Raskin D-Md., will serve as the primary prosecutor for the trial among other House managers, Rep. Madeleine Dean D-Pa., Rep. Diana DeGette D-Colo., Rep. Ted Lieu D-Calif., Rep. Stacey Plaskett D-Virgin Islands, Rep. David Cicilline D-R.I., Rep. Joaquin Castro D-Texas, Rep. Joe Neguse D-Colo., and Rep. Eric Swalwell D-Calif.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders