[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2079]
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. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, today, Members of the United States House 
of Representatives will make a critical decision affecting the lives of 
the people we represent. Men and women, young and old, who work hard 
everyday and care about their families want us to deal with President 
Clinton's irresponsible behavior and lack of truthfulness in a fair and 
responsible manner. And, they want us to do so as quickly as possible 
so that we can return to the important issues affecting their families. 
They also want us to rise above partisan self-interest and do what's 
best for the country--not as Democrats and Republicans, but as 
Americans.
  I am deeply concerned that this Congress will not meet that test 
today. We have two proposals before us. The question is not whether or 
not to proceed, but how to proceed. One proposal gives us the 
opportunity to come together in a bipartisan way and vote to begin an 
inquiry into impeachment on the issues raised in the Starr Report, and 
to bring this inquiry to conclusion by the end of this year.
  The Republican alternative is an open-ended, unchecked process that 
could continue throughout the next Congress with no requirement to 
limit its focus on the issues formally presented by the Special 
Prosecutor. In all good conscience, I cannot endorse this process since 
I sincerely do not believe it is in our nation's best interest. It is 
not in the interests of the families I represent to put our country in 
suspended animation for months and months when we have the ability to 
bring this to a responsible conclusion this year.
  I, therefore, intend to support the proposal to proceed with an 
impeachment inquiry with a deadline of December 31, 1998. This motions 
allows an extension of the deadline if an extension is supported by the 
evidence. But, most importantly, the proposal I support does not allow 
millions of dollars and hours to be spent without any accountability 
for timely results.
  I believe the American people deserve no less from us. We must 
address this crisis fairly and responsibly and get back to the people's 
business. I implore my Republican colleagues to join us and to join 
America in a process of which we can all be proud.

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