[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ON RESOLUTION REGARDING IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT BUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I do not think the House should 
today take up the question of exercising our Constitutional authority 
to impeach the President and asking the Senate to try him on charges 
that, if proved, would result in his removal from office.
  That does not mean I have turned or will turn a blind eye to the 
numerous misjudgments of President Bush or that I think his 
administration has been above reproach. On the contrary, I think that 
the Bush Administration has been a distinct failure. I am convinced 
that this President will not be treated well by historians. His 
failures of judgment and leadership span domestic and foreign affairs 
in a way that will likely haunt future generations for years to come--
failures which are cited in the resolution proposed by the gentleman 
from Ohio.
  But the question now before the House is not what we think of 
President Bush's actions and those of his Administration. Instead, we 
are being asked whether we should now, today, proceed to charge that he 
has violated his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the duties 
of his office and to defend the Constitution and thus should be 
impeached and brought to trial in the Senate.
  The resolution sets forth what its author says are the specific 
statements and actions of the president that constitute violations of 
his oath. I also find those statements and actions deeply troubling and 
agree that they draw a picture of an Administration that has been 
characterized by hubris, bad judgment and arrogance. The picture is an 
unattractive one; but bad judgment, hubris and arrogance are not the 
constitutional grounds for impeachment.
  The resolution raises serious questions about the way this president 
has used his position, both in communicating with the American people 
and in shaping policy. But as of today I am not prepared to say that 
there are adequate grounds to conclude that the failures of this 
Administration in fact constitute grounds for impeachment--and I do not 
think that Members of the House should be called upon to reach that 
conclusion today.
  Before the House is asked to reach such a draconian conclusion, the 
president should have an opportunity to respond to the resolution's 
charges and the statements and actions it cites in support of those 
charges. Before we are asked to vote on the resolution, we should have 
the benefit of hearing from appropriate legal experts and other 
qualified witness and the Judiciary Committee should prepare a report 
that will provide the basis for any debate here on the floor of the 
House.
  Impeachment is not entirely a legal question. It is partly political, 
which is why the Constitution entrusts it to Congress and not the 
courts. But I think it is essential that any decision to impeach any 
federal official should come only through a careful, thorough process 
that provides adequate due process for the accused and lays the proper 
foundation for a sound decision.
  That was the process followed by the Judiciary Committee, under the 
able leadership of Chairman Peter Rodino, when it considered and 
ultimately approved articles of impeachment against President Richard 
Nixon in July of 1974. In my opinion, that set the example of how the 
process should work. I think to do otherwise, as the author of this 
resolution seeks to do, would further weaken the civility toward our 
colleagues and respect for those with whom we disagree that should be 
the basis for our service in Congress and would only add to the 
polarization and rancor that are all too prevalent in the nation's 
political debates. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I must oppose 
consideration of this resolution at this time.

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