Conyers' Announcement of Democrats' Proposal for an Impeachment Inquiry (no, not bush...)

[The Straight Story]

I wish that we could at least do phase 1 below (this is a repost of an earlier thread btw). There is so much that bush has done - and I do appreciate the hearings, but damn this guy could eat a live baby on tv and some folks would say 'we ain't got the votes and it's a distraction, he is leaving soon anyway'


Congressman John Conyers' Announcement of Democrats' Proposal for an Impeachment Inquiry

Before the release of the transcripts of conversations between Linda Tripp and Monica Lewinsky, ranking House Judiciary member John Conyers announced the Democrats' proposal for an alternative to the Republican impeachment inquiry. In the statement below, Conyers called for a more focused, limited Clinton impeachment investigation. Following Conyers' statement is the text of the Democrats' proposal.

October 2, 1998

My Democratic colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee and I are here today to announce a Democratic alternative to the Republican impeachment inquiry resolution that will be offered at the next meeting of the Committee on Monday. I would like to begin by introducing the principal authors of the Democratic alternative, Rep. Rick Boucher (VA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY). The Democratic alternative creates a process, grounded in the Constitution, that is: (1) focused, (2) fair, (3) expeditious and (4) deliberate.


The Democrats' Proposal for President Clinton's Impeachment Inquiry

FAIR PROCEDURE AND PROCESS PLAN FOR AN INQUIRY
MOTION

It is hereby moved that the Committee recommend to the House of Representatives that the House authorize and instruct the Committee to take the following steps within the indicated time frames in the order, fully and fairly, to conduct an inquiry and, if appropriate, to act upon the September 9, 1998 Referral of the Independent Counsel ("the Referral") in a manner which ensures the faithful discharge of the Constitutional duty of the Congress, and concludes the inquiry at the earliest possible time:

<snip>

I. FIRST PHASE: October 12 - 23, 1998

Commencing on October 12, 1998 and concluding no later than October 23, 1998, the Committee shall take the following steps within the time allotted:

1. The Constitutional Standard for Impeachment. The Committee shall convene public hearings to review thoroughly and comprehensively the Constitutional standard for impeachment, most recently recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. During these hearings, the Committee shall solicit testimony from America's most renowned scholars to understand more fully the Constitutional provisions, historical precedents and legal authorities relative to impeachment so that Members of the Committee may be better informed as to the Constitutional standard of impeachment.

2. Comparison of the Allegations to the Constitutional Standard for Impeachment. The Committee shall next convene public hearings to consider which allegations, if any, of the eleven (11) stated in the Referral, if subsequently proven, could rise to the Constitutional standard for impeachment. After the hearing, the Committee shall meet in public session to decide which of the allegation(s), if any, if subsequently proven, could rise to the Constitutional standard for impeachment.

3. Sufficiency of the Evidence Supporting the Allegations. If the Committee has determined that one or more of the allegations could, if subsequently proven, rise to the Constitutional standard for impeachment, the Committee shall convene public hearings for the purpose of determining whether a preliminary review of the evidence in the Committee's possession indicates the need for further proceedings with respect to those allegations contained in the Referral which have been found potentially to meet the Constitutional standard for impeachment. After the hearing, the Committee shall meet in public session for the purpose of determining which allegations of the Referral, if any, which have been determined to meet the Constitutional standard for impeachment are supported by sufficient evidence in the Committee's possession to justify further proceedings. If the Committee finds there is a necessity for further proceedings, it shall then be in order for the Committee to conduct formal inquiry proceedings.

4.Alternative Sanctions. If the Committee finds that none of the allegations could rise to the Constitutional standard for impeachment, or if the Committee finds insufficient evidence to justify further proceedings with respect to those allegations that could rise to the Constitutional standard of impeachment, it shall then be in order for the Committee to consider the propriety of the alternative sanctions.

http://www.courttv.com/archive/legaldocs/government/clintoncrisis/100298_demresolution.html

[jpgray]

1. Which, as in Watergate, followed the investigation of the alleged crime. Next?

[The Straight Story]

3. Which I am all for

Nothing criminal has shown up yet though...Hopefully they will continue looking into it eh.

[jpgray]

4. Yep. Sorry if my post sounded snarky

:hi:

[The Straight Story]

5. Naw, it's cool - I think we are all just frustrated by the asshole in chief

:toast:

[Lerkfish]

2. hmmmm.

how extremely odd. But now its off the table.

[The Straight Story]

7. I still see it on the menu,

oh wait, not all the chefs in the kitchen want to cook it so no one will :)

[IChing]

6. Was he able to do stages 1 through 3?

I really like the idea of holding a hearing on #1 to have Dean and other constitutional experts
talk to the nation on impeachment in regards to this current regime. But maybe
he could just watch Bill Moyers show instead.