Impeachment Inquiry Speeds Up: House Judiciary Committee Poised to Release Starr Report

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde has accelerated the release of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's report on President Clinton, potentially releasing 17 boxes of evidence and 2,000 pages of documents as early as this Friday. The committee is expected to meet in executive session on Thursday to determine how much of the supporting documents to release. If approved, the hearings could begin as early as November.

The accelerated process has prompted some Democrats to call for a slowdown, concerned that the speed at which the impeachment inquiry is moving could lead to a "witch hunt." The supporting documents include transcripts of grand jury testimony from both Clinton and Lewinsky, which could be released this week. The central facts of the case, including perjury and obstruction of justice, were laid out in Starr's report outlining 11 potential grounds for impeachment.

Key Takeaways:

• The House Judiciary Committee is poised to release the remainder of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's report on President Clinton, including 17 boxes of evidence and 2,000 pages of documents.
• The committee is expected to meet in executive session on Thursday to determine how much of the supporting documents to release.
• Democrats on the committee are calling for a slowdown, concerned that the speed at which the impeachment inquiry is moving could lead to a "witch hunt."
• The supporting documents include transcripts of grand jury testimony from both Clinton and Lewinsky, which could be released this week.
• The central facts of the case, including perjury and obstruction of justice, were laid out in Starr's report outlining 11 potential grounds for impeachment.
• Committee Chairman Henry Hyde has expressed a desire to begin hearings as early as November, but the exact timing has not been finalized.
• Some Republicans, including Rep. Lamar Smith, are in favor of releasing all of the supporting documents, including the videotape of Clinton's grand jury testimony.
• Source: Knight Ridder Newspapers

Statistics:

• 2,000 pages of documents reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee
• 11 potential grounds for impeachment outlined in Starr's report
• 17 boxes of evidence to be released
• Potential release date: as early as this Friday
• Impeachment hearings could begin as early as November
• 26 Democratic congresswomen met with Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday to show support for the first lady

Sources:

• Knight Ridder Newspapers
• Raja Mishra and Frank Davies, Knight Ridder Newspapers