[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10007-H10008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY DEBATE, LET MEMBERS PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEIR 
                      COUNTRY, NOT TO THEIR PARTY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Hulshof) is recognized until midnight.

[[Page H10008]]

  Mr. HULSHOF. Madam Speaker, these past several days this body has 
been consumed with political wrangling over spending bills and 
legislative riders, debate over tax cuts and social security, whether 
to fund the IMF or not fund the IMF. That has been the question.
  It seems as if each side has sought some political advantage during 
these debates. That is not necessarily a criticism. We are, after all, 
a political body. The question we now face, Madam Speaker, however, is 
one of profound historical significance: Shall a formal impeachment 
inquiry commence.
  As we consider and struggle with this weighty matter, I implore my 
colleagues to focus on the gravity of the moment. Some may be tempted 
to condemn the process, or the prosecutor. But Madam Speaker, now is 
not the time for talking points or for pointing fingers. Madam Speaker, 
in this debate, let us not pledge our loyalty to our party, let us 
pledge, instead, our allegiance to our country. We must not allow 
ourselves to be partisans. Instead, we must be patriots.
  Like many Members, Madam Speaker, I am concerned about the open-ended 
nature of the resolution. I believe that each of us here would 
fervently wish this cup could pass us by. But I have profound faith in 
the integrity and the ability of the distinguished chairman of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Illinois. He has given 
us his pledge that this process will move forward fairly and 
expeditiously, and I think the gentleman's word deserves and should be 
afforded great weight in this body.
  The question then before us is whether or not we should follow the 
considered recommendation of the Committee on the Judiciary to move 
forward with formal hearings. As we ponder that question, let me ask 
another, which goes to the very heart of the matter.

                              {time}  0000

  Is it possible that credible evidence exists which may constitute 
grounds for an impeachment? If the answer to the question is a solemn 
yes, then Members should cast their vote accordingly. But even if they 
respond with an equivocal ``I do not know,'' I believe the doubt should 
be resolved in favor of holding hearings and the resolution should be 
accepted.
  Madam Speaker, let us not avert our gaze but instead let us fix our 
eyes on the horizon wherever that little traveled road leads us. Last 
January I was granted the privilege to enter this Chamber for the first 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Wilson). The time of the gentleman has 
expired.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for an additional 
30 seconds to conclude.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair cannot entertain that request. The 
gentleman may finish his sentence.
  Mr. HULSHOF. Madam Speaker,
  Last January, I was granted the privilege to enter this chamber for 
the first time. My family beamed down at me with pride from the gallery 
as I began my service to this nation. On that day I rose in unison with 
my colleagues and pledged my oath, my sacred honor to uphold the 
Constitution of the United States. In my humble and considered opinion 
that oath requires from me a vote of ``aye'' on the resolution.

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