The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved the rules for conducting its investigation into President Trump as the panel builds a case for impeaching the president.

The 24-17 vote along party lines does not begin a formal impeachment process but it broadens the panel’s investigative powers that could eventually lead to articles of impeachment against the president.

The procedures would allow Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the committee’s chairman, to hold hearings on evidence against the president.

In addition to members being able to question witnesses, staff counsel would be able to grill witnesses for an additional hour instead of the five minutes lawmakers typically get.

Nadler opened the meeting by trying to clear up any confusion ​about the goal of the pane​l​.

​”​Some call this process an impeachment inquiry. Some call it an impeachment investigation. There is no legal difference between these terms, and I no longer care to argue about the nomenclature,” ​he said.

“But let me clear up any remaining doubt: The conduct under investigation poses a threat to our democracy. We have an obligation to respond to this threat.

And we are doing so.”

​Rep. Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the committee, said Nadler is just putting on a show. ​

“My colleagues know very well they don’t have the votes to authorize impeachment proceedings on the House floor, but they want to impeach the president anyway,” ​he said. “So, they are pretending to initiate impeachment.”

​The number of House Democrats who support ​impeachment or an impeachment inquiry stands at 137, far less than needed for passage in the 435-member chamber.

​No Republicans back the effort.

​With Post wires