US Democrats say the House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday to send the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump to the Senate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the timing of the vote in her statement on Tuesday.

The Democrat-controlled House is expected to approve the transmittal of the articles, which will allow the Senate to begin an impeachment trial. The House impeached Trump on December 18 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Pelosi had delayed sending the charges in an effort to allow new testimony to be heard in the Senate. She fears that the Republican-controlled chamber may not hold a fair trial.

But her efforts were unsuccessful because Republicans have stuck to the idea of having a quick trial, and some Democrats have urged her to send the charges soon.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that the trial can begin as early as next Tuesday.

It is widely believed that the president is unlikely to be removed from office, as the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate. But the Democrats hope the trial will have an impact on the presidential election this year.

NHK