[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CENSURE THE PRESIDENT AND GET BACK TO BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, December 19, 1998

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, from the day in early September that the 
Starr referral was delivered to the House, I have said that the 
decision to impeach the President called upon me to consider the 
Constitution, my constituents and my conscience. I have read and reread 
the Constitution and Federalist papers. I have heard from over 10,000 
of my consistent by phone, mail and E-mail. I have searched my 
conscience. That is why I rise to urge my colleagues to strongly oppose 
the impeachment of the President.
  Let me reiterate that the President's behavior has been reckless, 
wrong and harmful to his family, friends and the American people. His 
efforts to misled the American people were inappropriate for the leader 
of our great Nation. But, my review of the Constitution leads me to 
believe that while what the President did may be indictable, it is not 
impeachable.
  The President did not undermine our constitutional form of 
government, nor did he commit treason or bribery. These are fundamental 
issues that must be considered when the Congress considers articles of 
impeachment. Also, I'm very troubled by the tampering with the 
separation of powers proposed by the House's action against the 
President. Those who support impeachment speak of the rule of law, but 
they fail to talk about the framers' clear and explicit delineation of 
the powers of each branch of our Government. It is the Judicial branch 
of government that enforces the rule of law and punishes those who 
violate it. If the President committed perjury, the grand jury can 
indict him when his is out of office.
  My constituents and I are searching for a way to strongly but 
appropriately register our disgust with the President actions. Censure 
the President and move on, they say, by a 2- to 1 margin. I agree. But, 
we have been denied a vote on censure in spite of the fact that this is 
what an overwhelming number of Americans have told us that they want.
  When I came to Congress 2 years ago I said that while I couldn't 
agree with anyone 100 percent of the time, it was my responsibility as 
a Representative of the people to LISTEN 100 percent of the time. My 
colleagues, we were sent here to be our constituents eyes and ears.
  Americans want people in their elected Government who know more, not 
people who think they know better. Colleagues, please stop and listen. 
The American people say we must strongly censure the President and get 
back to their business. I urge you to vote no on impeaching the 
President.

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