You may have heard something about "impeachment" actions going on in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is unlikely you are getting the whole story on what is really happening: an Inquiry to determine if Impeachment is warranted. This page summarizes what is happening and what you should do about it. Read the other pages at this site to more fully understand the rationale behind the inquiry.
I. Why an Inquiry?
The Constitution of the United States gives the House of Representatives exclusive authority to determine whether a President of the United States may be guilty of treason, bribery, high crimes, or misdemeanors. No such authority is provided in the Constitution for any independent counsel, executive, legislative, or judicial branch official.
According to Jefferson's manual, an impeachment may be set in motion "from facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House."
Many members of Congress concerned about the possible involvement of the President in obstruction of justice, foreign intervention in our political process, and the trade of national security-related decisions to Communist China in return for infusions of money generated by the Beijing regime, as well as other matters, are reluctant to vote for impeachment at this time because of: a) President Clinton's strong standing in the opinion polls, and b) the lack of firm evidence that crimes have been committed.
The Constitution makes clear that impeachment has nothing to do with either popular support or conviction of a crime. It simply addresses the question of whether a President's behavior has been such that he ought be removed from office.
Impeachment pertains only to the question of removal from office and carries with it no criminal penalty.
The inquiry of impeachment is a recognized legislative instrument with roots in 19th century House proceedings.
The impeachment inquiry process was resorted to in 36 instances with respect to President Nixon in 1973.
According to House rules, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry is automatically referred to the Committee on Rules. At some point, that committee may determine to recommend whether an impeachment inquiry should be initiated.
If it acts in the affirmative, the question of an inquiry will be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives, so that every member of the House will have the opportunity to vote concerning it.
If a majority of House members present and voting determine that an impeachment inquiry is warranted, the Judiciary Committee would then begin an official investigation to determine whether impeachment charges shall be brought.
Under the rules of the House, the Committee on the Judiciary determines whether to bring impeachment charges. If such a determination is made, the charges would then be considered by the full House of Representatives.
If impeachment is voted by the House of Representatives, the Senate conducts a trial, with the Chief Justice of the United States serving as the presiding judge.
Only if two-thirds of the Senators present and voting determine to convict, on one or more of the charges brought, may the President be removed from office.
II. The Political Context
Members of Congress who are reluctant to vote for impeachment should, in light of the various charges which have been directed against President Clinton on a wide variety of matters, consider it appropriate to conduct an inquiry to determine whether impeachment charges should be brought.
It may properly be argued that an impeachment inquiry is in the best interest, not only of the American people and our political system as a whole, but even of the incumbent President of the United States, Bill Clinton.
If an impeachment inquiry is launched and it is determined that impeachment is not warranted, that is the end of the matter. If, on the other hand, the evidence is sufficient to vote for impeachment, the Senate will have the opportunity to determine whether removal is warranted.
There have been innumerable investigations. Independent counsels have been appointed, but, without an official impeachment inquiry, there is no beginning, middle, or end to the process.
It is particularly appropriate that Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.), a former United States Attorney in the administration of President Ronald Reagan, should be the principal sponsor of the Impeachment Inquiry Resolution. In addition to being a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, he also serves on the Burton Committee, which is in the process of considering some of the charges against President Clinton.
III. What is to be done?
In the weeks between the November recess and the return of Congress in January, it is essential that those who concur that an Impeachment Inquiry is urgently needed use the time to let their Representatives know of their support, as well as to help ensure the procedure and its appropriateness is understood by political/issues organizations they are involved in and the public at large.
The Conservative Caucus is serving as the secretariat of the CAMPAIGN FOR A CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY. If you know of any activities which may be publicized being done by an organization in support of the CAMPAIGN FOR A CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, please send an email to impeach@inetresults.com
Please consider the following activities and strategies:
- Direct your expressions of support for Congressman Barr's resolution to:
- Hon. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary (2110 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-4561, fax 202-225-1166),
- Hon. Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.), Chairman, Committee on Rules (2206 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-5614, fax 202-225-6234),
- Hon. Newt Gingrich, House Speaker (R-Ga.), (2428 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-4501, fax, 202-225-4656),
- Hon. Dick Armey, House Majority Leader (R-Tex.), (301 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-7772),
- Hon. Tom DeLay, House Majority Whip (R-Tex.), (341 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-5951, fax 202-225-5241),
- Hon. Chris Cox (R-Calif.), Chairman, House Republican Policy Committee (2402 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, 202-225-5611, fax 202-225-9177),
- as well as to other members of the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Raise the issue whenever you are involved in a TV, radio, print media, or Internet interview, survey, talk show, chat session.
- Write letters to the editor.
- Ensure that any organization you belong to includes news articles and opinion columns concerning the CAMPAIGN FOR A CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY in newsletters, web sites, and other communications.
- Ensure that any organization you belong to includes speakers on this topic in conferences, workshops, and training programs.
