[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                CENSURE

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, during the impeachment trial, it was 
the duty of the Senate to look at the facts, look at the law, look at 
the Constitution, and make a judgment. We did our duty.
  But now we need to go one step further because neither acquittal nor 
conviction is an entirely adequate conclusion to this sordid matter. We 
must speak our contempt and disappointment for the low behavior of our 
highest elected official.
  We need to speak for the spirit behind our laws, behind this 
institution, behind the country. We need to say that the President's 
actions and lies were wrong--``shameful, reckless and indefensible.'' 
We need to acknowledge that his conduct, unacceptable for any American, 
is especially so for the President of the United States because it 
``creates disrespect for the laws of the land.''
  I am proud that all 100 Senators worked together through this ordeal 
to do our duty. I am proud that so many of us from both sides of the 
aisle worked together to craft this tough censure resolution.
  But I am sorry that a small minority will keep us from also doing 
what is honorable and what is right. We need to officially express our 
collective disdain for the President's conduct. It's the only truly 
appropriate, bipartisan way to bring closure to this melancholy moment 
in American history.
  When Senator Feinstein and I started talking about a censure 
resolution, as early as last December, I had no certainty that we would 
come so far and bring so many along. Her perseverance, hard work and 
legislative craftsmanship deserve our praise, but our efforts deserve a 
clean ``up or down'' vote.

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