In a day of choreographed symbolism, the US House of Representatives has voted to send the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, paving the way for a Senate trial of the President, beginning in the coming day.

The House appointed seven Democrats to serve as managers of the prosecution case. And they then took the ritual walk silently across the Capitol to deliver the slim, pale blue folder containing the charges against President Trump, for delivering to the House.

Thus was set in motion the third presidential impeachment trial in US history.

It came after a three-week stalemate between Pelosi and the Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell over the trial rules, but today he adopted a sombre tone to note the event.

Dr Gorana Grgic joined ABC's PM for her insights about what comes next. Grgic is lecturer in US Politics at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.