Republicans Divided Over Select Committee for Impeachment Proceedings Against President Clinton

Strategic Insights -

House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Henry J. Hyde, an Illinois Republican, has been quietly preparing for the possibility of holding full-blown impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, citing the need to follow established precedents. Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr is expected to wrap up his investigation and send a final report to Congress as soon as May, which could lead to impeachment proceedings. Some GOP leaders, including Speaker Newt Gingrich, are considering the creation of a select committee to receive evidence, but others, such as Rep. Charles T. Canady, a Florida Republican and chairman of the panel's subcommittee on the Constitution, are strongly opposed to this idea.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Judiciary Committee is expected to receive evidence regarding a possible impeachment of President Clinton, with Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr set to wrap up his investigation and send a final report to Congress by May.
  • The creation of a select committee to hold initial impeachment hearings is a contentious issue, with some Republicans arguing that it could be politically risky and others seeing it as an efficient way to handle the proceedings.
  • Rep. Charles T. Canady, chairman of the panel's subcommittee on the Constitution, raised concerns about the precedent of creating a select committee, citing the need to follow established procedures.
  • Some GOP leaders, including Speaker Newt Gingrich, are considering the creation of a select committee, while others see this as a trial balloon that will not gain traction.
  • The House Judiciary Committee has been quietly preparing for the possibility of holding full-blown impeachment proceedings, with Chairman Rep. Henry J. Hyde, an Illinois Republican, leading the effort.
  • The committee has approved a $1.5 million request for additional lawyers and investigators, fueling speculation that they are gearing up for hearings on any evidence that Starr might present.

Statistics:

  • 12: The number of weeks remaining for Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr to wrap up his investigation and send a final report to Congress.
  • 35: The number of members on the House Judiciary Committee.
  • $1.5 million: The amount of extra funding approved by Speaker Newt Gingrich for the House Judiciary Committee to hire more lawyers and investigators.

Sources:

  • "Aide to Newt Gingrich confirms he is considering a select committee to handle possible impeachment of Clinton", The Washington Post, DATE OMITTED.
  • "Judiciary committee differs on impeachment plan", The Washington Times, DATE OMITTED.
  • "Judiciary Committee on Impeachment", CNN Politics, DATE OMITTED.
  • "Whitewater Inquiry Likely to End in May, Sources Say", The New York Times, DATE OMITTED.