Impeachment Looms as House Republicans Plan Vote Against President Clinton

House Republicans, pushing forward with their effort to impeach President Clinton, plan to begin debating impeachment at 9 a.m. EST on Friday. The move comes despite protests from Democrats, who argue that the vote will undermine American armed services during military action in Iraq. President Clinton has stated that he is resigned to impeachment, leaving it in the hands of Congress. The debate is set to take place during a crucial period, with the House of Representatives facing a December 31 deadline to complete its work before a new session of Congress begins.

Key Takeaways:

• The House of Representatives is set to begin debating impeachment at 9 a.m. EST on Friday, with a vote possible as early as Friday afternoon.
• Republicans argue that impeaching a commander-in-chief will not endanger troops in action, while Democrats contend that it is a matter of simple patriotism and will undermine the military.
• Four articles of impeachment have been drafted, charging Clinton with lying under oath, obstructing justice, and abusing his powers to conceal his extramarital relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
• Incoming House Speaker Bob Livingston has cautioned Republicans to refrain from questioning the president's integrity on the floor of the House, urging them to respect the troops and keep their arguments in conjunction with the dignity of their actions.
• President Clinton has refused to make a last-ditch effort to stop impeachment, stating that it is in the hands of Congress and that the Constitution has a procedure for that.
• White House aides have resumed efforts to reach out to undecided House members, but one adviser noted that there are "not many left to talk to."

Statistics:

• The House of Representatives has only voted on impeachment twice in American history.
• The vote is expected to take place during a critical period, with the House of Representatives facing a December 31 deadline to complete its work.
• Four articles of impeachment have been drafted, charging Clinton with lying under oath, obstructing justice, and abusing his powers.
• The impeachment debate is set to take place during a period of intense military action in Iraq, with American and British forces launching air attacks against Saddam Hussein's regime.

Sources:

• Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services, "Impeachment Looms as House Republicans Plan Vote Against President Clinton" (December 17, 1998)
• Joe Lockhart, White House Spokesman
• Bob Livingston, Incoming House Speaker
• Henry Hyde, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee
• Richard Gephardt, House Minority Leader
• Trent Lott, Senate Majority Leader