WASHINGTON: The US Senate voted early today on party lines to approve rules for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate also rejected Democratic Party’s efforts to get evidence and ensure witnesses are heard, Reuters said on Wednesday.

Trump’s chief legal defender termed the Democratic case as ‘baseless effort’ to overturn the 2016 election.

US President Trump was impeached last month by the House of Representatives. He was charged with abuse of power, obstruction of Congress for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden. President Trump, however, denies any wrongdoing.