Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., gives a thumbs-up as he leaves the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Washington.

Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators followed party lines Friday in a vote that went against calling witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment in Washington, D.C.

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey voted with most GOP members against calling witnesses and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey joined other Democrats in voting for witnesses.

The vote was 51-49 against calling witnesses.

Toomey issued a statement following the vote: “The purpose of a witness is to shed light on an important fact that could resolve a disputed issue and help determine the final outcome of the case. In my view, the House has brought forward articles of impeachment that do not justify removing President Trump from office, nullifying the results of the 2016 election, and denying Americans the right to vote for him in the next election. As a result, additional witnesses beyond the 17 who testified in the House proceedings, are not necessary.”

Casey also issued a statement: “By blocking relevant witnesses and relevant documents, Senate Republicans have denied the American people the fair trial they deserve. This proceeding was rigged from the start to protect the president.”

The Senate narrowly rejected Democratic demands to summon witnesses for the impeachment, all but ensuring Trump’s acquittal. But senators pushed off the final voting on his fate to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

From staff and wire reports