WASHINGTON There was a seismic shift on impeachment in the House on Tuesday, even if lawmakers themselves are struggling to explain whats changed.

After a day in which more than a dozen Democrats came out for impeaching President Donald Trump in response to reports that he sought political dirt from a foreign country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Tuesday night that she is supporting an official impeachment inquiry.

That would seem to be a significant development, given the reluctance Pelosi has shown for months toward moving forward with any part of impeachment. But its also notable that Pelosi only came out for an impeachment inquiry. She even emphasized those words.

The House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry, she said in a formal, on-camera statement. Im directing our six committees to proceed with their investigations under that umbrella, of impeachment inquiry.

Lawmakers insisted the announcement was significant. All cylinders go, or whatever that phrase may be, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Tuesday before a closed-door meeting with all Democrats. But after the meeting, even though Jayapal still thought the news was momentous, she struggled to explain why.

I think shes saying full steam ahead on an impeachment inquiry, which you know, obviously were in an impeachment inquiry, but there has been some confusion, Jayapal said.