Impeachment on a Shelf?

I've heard that impeaching Trump is such a vital defense of our Constitution and republic that Speaker Pelosi may refuse to send the articles of impeachment they passed to the Senate. Got it.

Wait. What? If it isn't transmitted to the Senate Trump isn't actually impeached?

I figured Pelosi's action demonstrates a lack of confidence in the charges. But wow. Who saw this coming? Trump may be "impeached forever" only in the minds of Democrats. Well, there is a difference of opinion on that, it seems.

Or is Pelosi taking the "maybe the horse will sing" strategy of hoping something happens to convince Republican Senators to convict? And then she transmits the articles of impeachment?

Is this an Impeachment on a Shelf (with thanks to this blog for the basic picture) watching and waiting to report on naughtiness?

New for 2019: Impeachment on a Shelf!

I don't see how the speaker could be waiting to see if the Democrats take the Senate in 2020 because I assume (wrongly?) that like any legislation that isn't passed (unpassed bills and resolutions), the articles of impeachment will expire when the current Congress ends and so it won't exist when a new (under that theory) Democrat-majority Senate is sworn in.

Still, Pelosi isn't an idiot. Or at least in her younger years she wasn't an idiot. One shouldn't underestimate her. I guess I can't judge.

Hmm, if Pelosi sends the articles to the Senate at the end of next year, would the requirements of holding the trial prevent a last-minute surge of court confirmations by the Senate? Just spitballing, here.

NOTE: I clarified the expired legislation sentence.