Flanked by about two dozen House Republicans, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., argues that all GOP lawmakers should have access to closed-door depositions in the impeachment inquiry. Committee rules dictate that only those on the panels conducting the probe can attend.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

“Behind those doors, they intend to overturn the results of an American presidential election” said Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican ally of the president’s. “We’re going to try to go in there … on behalf of the millions of Americans that we represent that want to see this Congress working for them, and not obsessed with attacking a president who we believe has not done anything to deserve impeachment.”

Schiff also promised public hearings would be coming in the future “so that the full Congress and the American people can hear their testimony firsthand.”

The effort proved disruptive to the day’s proceedings. Cooper’s testimony has been delayed indeterminately because a number of Republican lawmakers are still in that secure area, where they are not authorized to be.