It was clear to Senate Republicans on Wednesday after a morning meeting…

It was clear to Senate Republicans on Wednesday after a morning meeting between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump allies throw jabs at Bolton over book’s claimsGOP confident of win on witnessesCollins Senate bid threatens to spark GOP rift in GeorgiaMORE (R-Ky.) and Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiGOP confident of win on witnessesRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightTrump’s team rests, calls for quick end to trialMORE (R-Alaska) that the question of having additional witnesses is settled and the Senate will vote Friday to wrap up the impeachment trial.
There was no discussion of witnesses at a Senate GOP lunch meeting Wednesday, which was held a couple hours after McConnell and Murkowski met for about 20 to 30 minutes.
That was seen as a sign by several senators that Democrats will fail to convince four Republicans to join them in calling for witnesses. Without a vote to hear from witnesses, the trial could end as soon as Friday. 
Were going to get it done by Friday, hopefully, Sen. Mike RoundsMarion (Mike) Michael RoundsSenators ready for question time in impeachment trialRepublicans show little enthusiasm for impeachment witness swapBolton sparks internal GOP fight over witnessesMORE (R-S.D.) said following the meeting.
Sen. Mike BraunMichael BraunGOP confident of win on witnessesRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightRepublicans show little enthusiasm for impeachment witness swapMORE (R-Ind.), emerging from the lunch, said I think I can say the mood is good.
Braun expressed confidence that McConnell will be able to keep his conference unified enough to defeat a motion to consider subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents.
If I had to guess, no witnesses, he said.
Well be in a place where I think everyone is going to have their mind made up and I believe that well be able to move to a verdict and the witness question will be clear at that point, Braun added.
Murkowski did not attend the lunch.
Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyGOP confident of win on witnessesCollins Senate bid threatens to spark GOP rift in GeorgiaRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightMORE (R-Utah), who has been the most outspoken advocate for calling additional witnesses, declined to comment as he left the lunch. 
Romney and Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsGOP confident of win on witnessesRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightTrump’s team rests, calls for quick end to trialMORE (R-Maine) are both expected to back witnesses. Murkowski has been seen as a third possible vote, though she had not announced any decision. 
Instead of discussing the possibility of having former national security adviser John BoltonJohn BoltonTrump allies throw jabs at Bolton over book’s claimsGOP confident of win on witnessesGiuliani calls Bolton a ‘backstabber’ over Ukraine allegationsMORE appear as a witness in the trial at Wednesday’s meeting, lawmakers talked about voting Friday to move quickly to an up-or-down vote on two articles of impeachment.
There was no discussion about that today, Rounds said. 
Instead, Rounds said the discussion was about how were moving forward.
A report by The New York Times that said Bolton in his forthcoming book will write that President TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN’s Don Lemon explains handling of segment after Trump criticismNPR reporter after Pompeo clash: Journalists don’t interview government officials to score ‘political points’Lawyer says Parnas can’t attend Senate trial due to ankle braceletMORE had linked the withholding of aid to Ukraine to that country conducting investigations of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenPerry delegation talking points stressed pushing Ukraine to deal with ‘corruption’GOP senator airs anti-Biden ad in Iowa amid impeachment trialBiden photobombs live national news broadcast at one of his ralliesMORE and his son Hunter had given new energy to the witness debate.
Democrats have been clamoring to hear Bolton as a witness at the trial. 
Senators are asking questions to the House impeachment team and Trump’s defense lawyers during today’s impeachment session.