[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER 
   SUFFICIENT GROUNDS EXIST FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF WILLIAM JEFFERSON 
                CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
opposition of the Republican impeachment inquiry. The way the House 
proceeds on an impeachment inquiry is very serious and must be 
considered in a deliberative manner. Unfortunately, the proposal before 
us does not create a focused inquiry with realistic time limits on the 
length and scope. Instead of offering a proposal that is sound and has 
reasonable standards on what impeachable offenses are, the Republican 
leadership is rejecting a focused inquiry and is forcing us to vote on 
a proposal that is endless and causes damage to a fair and just 
process.
  Mr. Speaker, the question at hand is not whether or not to proceed 
with a formal impeachment inquiry. The question is how do we proceed? 
We considering such an important matter, will we place such a vote in 
the hands of election year politics or do we place this vote and 
process in the hands of fairness, the tenets of our Constitution and 
good judgement?
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that my colleagues base their vote on the 
latter. We have a chance to send this proposal back to the judiciary 
committee and instruct them to develop a plan that is focused and fair.
  However, the lines seem to be drawn and the Republican leadership has 
convinced their members to vote along party lines. The last chance for 
a pragmatic approach is lost.
  Therefore, I encourage my colleagues of both parties to join together 
and defeat the Republican proposal. In the face of fairness, the 
Republican majority's effort will move forward with an open-ended 
process designed not to follow the path of truth, but to simply 
embarrass the President one month before the congressional elections. 
All of us in Congress should be committed to searching for the truth, 
not political points. But if we choose to forego the search for truth, 
we do so with a blatant disregard for principles of fairness and 
justice.
  Mr. Speaker, if we move with a process based on those ideas, then as 
a lawmaking body, we can get back to the important issues that have 
evaded us this session. In the waning days of the legislative session, 
we still have a chance to save Social Security, pass a real patients' 
bill of rights, improve the quality of education and protect our 
environment. I plan to fight and oppose this arbitrary measure, and 
support a fair process. That process will put an end to this 
investigation in a timely fashion and gets the House of Representatives 
back on track to work on the issues that truly matter to this great 
nation.

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