Arizona's nine-member delegation voted along party lines Thursday as the Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the rules and process for upcoming impeachment hearings.

The anticlimactic 232-196 vote capped days of intensifying partisan rancor, as Democrats exhorted Republicans to hold President Donald Trump accountable for his dealings with Ukraine, and as GOP members said the closed-door process so far has trammeled due process.

The result effectively endorsed an impeachment inquiry that began without a formal vote to do so, unlike the efforts against presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

Arizona's five Democrats voted for the resolution guiding the impeachment process. The state's four Republicans voted against it.

Two Democrats, one from Minnesota and another from New Jersey, were the only ones to break from their party. Rep. Justin Amash, an independent from Michigan, voted with Democrats. No Republicans broke ranks.

Trump responded quickly to the vote, calling it "The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!"

Two Arizona Republicans also denounced the process from the House floor ahead of the final vote.

Lesko calls process unfair

U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., a member of the House Rules Committee that considered proposals for the process, complained that every GOP idea was rejected.

"Last night Republicans offered 17 amendments to add some fairness into the process, but Democrats rejected them all," she said on the floor of the House.

Among those, she noted, were her amendments to allow Republicans to call as many witnesses as Democrats and to allow leading Republicans to submit material to the Judiciary Committee that could eventually consider any formal impeachment measure.

"The process set forth by this resolution violates basic standards of fairness," Lesko argued.

Democrats responded to Lesko and others that the White House has ignored subpoenas and that Trump has insulted and intimidated witnesses throughout the inquiry that began last month.

Biggs attacks closed-door hearings

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., attacked the closed-door hearings held by the Intelligence Committee.

"I’ve heard today how much my colleagues on the other side wish to make this an open and transparent process, and this is for ‘we the people.’ I would really like to believe that," he said.

"Yet after they introduced the resolution, they have another week full of hearings behind closed doors and schedule another week full of hearings behind closed doors. If this is about transparency, then open it up. If you want the American people to see it, open it up. Give members access to the transcripts. Let the media into the room. Let us participate. Failing to do so denies transparency and belies what you’re saying," Biggs said.

Kirkpatrick: Process ensures hearings for 'American people to witness'

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., said the resolution would provide the transparency Biggs seeks.

"The House just passed a resolution establishing next steps for the impeachment inquiry. This process will ensure transparent and public hearings for the American people to witness. We will continue to proceed with the seriousness that this moment in history demands," she said in a tweet.

Gallego says impeachment is coming

In his characteristically blunt style, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., ridiculed a Trump tweet Thursday complaining about the leaking of evidence in the matter.

"Just because you are too stupid to get away with a crime does not excuse you from the crime," Gallego responded to Trump, adding that impeachment is coming.

"Time and again, President Trump has endangered our national security and betrayed the Constitution," Gallego said in a later statement. "The nature of his crimes is serious and warrants a full and complete investigation by Congress. Nobody is above the law, and we must follow the facts to uncover the extent to which Trump’s actions and his administration’s cover-ups have threatened our nation."

Grijalva expects Trump 'shake-downs' exposed

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., was also pointed in his assessment of Trump's actions.

"Public hearings will expose Trump’s cover-ups, corruption, and shake-downs to the American people," he wrote in a tweet. "Republicans will have to decide whether to defend a President who abused his power, or defend the Constitution they swore to uphold."

Schweikert blasts 'partisan and secretive process'

Like most Republicans, Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., condemned the Democratic-led process without addressing the allegations against Trump.

"This resolution is not a serious vote for authorizing a fair and open impeachment inquiry and does not make any changes to the partisan and secretive process House Democrats created 37 days ago, but have been pushing for months," he said. "We should not support the current investigative process, which leaves my constituents in the dark on the investigations being conducted behind closed doors."

O'Halleran stresses process, not impeachment

Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz., emphasized that Thursday's vote was not about impeaching Trump, but laying out a process to consider it.

"The resolution voted on today is simply the next step in an ongoing investigative process that is already underway," he said in a statement. "It confirms the right of both Republicans and Democrats to call witnesses and allows the White House to be directly involved.

“As a former homicide detective, I know that evidence has the power to both convict and exonerate. It is critical that we review any evidence related to alleged abuse of power and allow all parties involved to do the same. I have always been an advocate for expanding transparency in all levels of our government. I voted in favor of this resolution to ensure that this inquiry remains open and accessible to the American people and allows them to form their own judgments based on fact."

Gosar criticizes Pelosi and Schiff

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., explained his vote against the measure on Twitter beforehand.

"I will be voting No on (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi's partisan impeachment resolution," he said. "It further empowers (Intelligence Committee Chairman) Adam Schiff, a known liar, and denies fairness and due process" to Trump. 

Presumably taking note of the historic vote falling on Halloween, Gosar later asked where Pelosi had parked her broom.

Stanton touts openness moving forward

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., noted the public will have a chance under the resolution to consider evidence of Trump's behavior.

"The resolution passed by the House today outlines procedures for moving forward with impeachment proceedings," he said in a statement. "The House has collected extensive evidence about the president's misconduct, and now the American people will be able to hear directly from witnesses in an open setting."