[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE PUBLIC'S ACCESS TO THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, during the impeachment trial of President 
Andrew Johnson, the Senate limited access to the Senate wing of the 
Capitol, the Senate floor, and the Senate galleries to those with 
official business and those with tickets to the proceedings.
  Over the Christmas holidays, staff of the Office of the Secretary of 
the Senate, including the Parliamentarian, legislative clerk and 
others, and staff of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, and others, 
have reviewed the historical precedents but also considered what we 
could do to facilitate the public's access to the proceedings while 
taking into account contemporary security requirements and the flow of 
business here in the Chamber. Staff have recommended some restrictions 
to the access of the Senate wing, floor, and galleries coupled with a 
ticketing system that will make as many seats in the gallery available 
to the public and others as is possible for us to do.
  Accordingly, in a few minutes I will ask unanimous consent be given 
to a set of policies that reflect the staff recommendations which will 
confine access to the Senate floor and galleries and to the second and 
third floors of the Senate wing of the Capitol during the consideration 
of the articles of impeachment and at all times the Chief Justice is 
presiding.
  I thank the distinguished Democratic leader for his efforts and his 
cooperation in this matter. We have been very careful to make sure we 
reviewed all the precedents, all the rules; that he has had a chance to 
check off on these rules, as I have. And I wish to thank all staff who 
researched the precedent and evaluated current conditions to develop 
these recommendations. Before seeking unanimous consent, however, I 
will now yield to the assistant Democratic leader.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagel). The assistant Democratic leader is 
recognized.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate the statement of the majority 
leader. He has been very gracious in reaching out to this side of the 
aisle on the standards that are going to be initiated and actually used 
during the impeachment proceedings. I think that the Secretary of the 
Senate and the Sergeant at Arms did an excellent job today of 
explaining to the Democratic caucus the procedures. I think there was 
general agreement that they were favorable and would certainly make the 
process here one of which we could all be proud.

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