David Swanson: Rep. Lofgren Writes To Conyers About Impeachment (TEXT OF LETTER)

[Hissyspit]

http://www.davidswanson.org/?q=node/1107

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren Writes to John Conyers About Impeachment
Submitted by dswanson on Wed, 2008-02-13 03:27. Impeachment
By David Swanson

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D., Calif.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has written a letter to Committee Chairman John Conyers (D., Mich.) on the topic of impeachment. Lofgren refers to the possibility of opening impeachment hearings on Vice President Cheney, President Bush, or a federal judge. She suggests that the impeachment of a federal judge may soon be on the agenda for the committee.

- snip -

Lofgren has issued a press release on the topic.

Text of Letter:

Dear Chairman Conyers,

As you know, I was a member of former Congressman Don Edwards' staff during the impechment of Richard Nixon. As you were a member of the House Judiciary Committee at the time, I am confident you felt the pride I felt in the processes, deliberations, and fairness that characterized that sad chapter our nation's history. The contrast with the impeachment proceedings in 1999 could not have been more stark.

During the Nixon impeachment proceedings, the House Judiciary Committee prepared a publication that I utilized extensively during the 1999 proceedings. The publication explored the history of impeachment, the Constitutional standards to be met in the case of a federal executive and how those standards differed from those that would guide Congress in the case of the impeachment of a federal judge.

I am aware that three of our colleagues have written to ask that hearings be held on the resolution on the impeachment of Vice President Cheney that was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. I am further advised that there is some possibility that the committee may be faced with the question of whether a federal judge should be impeached.

With this letter, I would like to ask two things. First, I hope that the House Judiciary Committee can reissue the 1974 Committee report on impeachment. That would allow this important document to become more accesible to members of Congress as well as the public. Second, I ask that the House Judiciary Committee hold hearings on the substance of this 1974 report. Before any inquiry should be made relative to impeachment, every member of the House Judiciary Committee should have a common understanding of the role of impeachment in the history of the United States and the impeachment standards set forth in the Constitution, whether they be federal executives or judges. I have a copy of the 1974 report should the committee need one.

Thank you for the consideration of my requests and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Zoe Lofgren
Member of Congress

[Hissyspit]

1. Self-kick 'cause I added the text of the letter.

So this is not completely a dupe of David's post.