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Starr, Ken

Clinton Impeachment Investigation Continues Amid Censure Proposal and Mounting Congressional Pressure

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the House Judiciary Committee struggles to conclude its work on an impeachment investigation of President Clinton by the end of December, a growing effort to censure rather than impeach the president is gaining momentum in Congress. Representative Paul McHale, D-Pa., plans to introduce a censure motion that condemns the president for perjury and obstruction of justice, as well as a "violation of his constitutional oath." McHale's proposal has sparked support from a group of swing lawmakers who want to avoid allowing the president to completely escape punishment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Judiciary Committee is working to conclude its work on an impeachment investigation of President Clinton by the end of December, but a censure proposal is gaining momentum in Congress.
  • Representative Paul McHale, D-Pa., plans to introduce a censure motion that condemns the president for perjury and obstruction of justice, as well as a "violation of his constitutional oath."
  • McHale's proposal has sparked support from a group of swing lawmakers who want to avoid allowing the president to completely escape punishment.
  • The White House has been supportive of a censure motion, but expressed concern about McHale's blistering language, which essentially states that the president is guilty as charged.
  • Conservative House leaders appear to be leaning toward concentrating on a single article of impeachment based on perjury, which they see as most likely to pass.
  • The Judiciary Committee will move forward with an ambitious schedule next week, including public hearings and questioning of Clinton confidants Bruce Lindsey and Robert Bennett.
  • Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's office expects its investigations of the Clinton White House to continue through the next presidential election, with Starr leaving the door open to filing criminal charges against Clinton when his term ends in 2000.

Statistics:

  • 20 votes short of a majority from GOP informal surveys for impeachment
  • 81 questions in a Judiciary Committee questionnaire about the facts of Starr's case
  • 18 months in jail spent by Susan McDougal to avoid cooperating with prosecutors
  • 2 years minimum for the next presidential election, during which time Starr's office expects to continue its investigations of the Clinton White House

Sources:

  • WASHINGTON _ Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's office said Wednesday it expects its investigations of the Clinton White House to continue through the next presidential election.
  • WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR-president Clinton to supply the House Judiciary Committee with answers on Friday to 81 questions in a Judiciary Committee questionnaire about the facts of Starr's case.
  • WASHINGTON POST -

House leaders, preliminary vote counts indicate, are leaning against either censure or impeachment.

  • REP. PAUL MCHALE, D-PA. -
  • WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JIM KENNEDY -

We disagree with Congressman McHale's view of the allegations... We believe this whole matter should be brought to a fair conclusion as soon as possible.

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