BEGIN IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS ON RESOLUTION OF IMPEACHMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT

[seemslikeadream]

BEGIN IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS ON RESOLUTION OF IMPEACHMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT -- (House of Representatives - January 15, 2008)


GPO's PDF
--- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, on November 7, 2007, this House voted to refer Congressman Kucinich's resolution of impeachment of Vice President Cheney to the House Judiciary Committee. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I now ask that we immediately begin impeachment hearings.

The issues at hand are far too serious to ignore. Dick Cheney faces credible allegations of abuse of power that if proven may well constitute high crimes and misdemeanors.

Did the Vice President manipulate intelligence to push this Nation into war based on false pretense?

Did the Vice President unmask a covert CIA agent for political purposes?

Did the Vice President order the illegal surveillance of Americans and the illegal use of torture?

These questions must be answered.

Just recently, former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan revealed that the Vice President and his staff purposely gave him false information to report to the American people, a clear obstruction of justice.

This administration has undermined the checks and balances of our government by brazenly ignoring congressional subpoenas and recklessly claiming executive privilege. Impeachment hearings are the only way to force the Bush administration to answer questions and tell the truth.

Congress must take the first step by enforcing the subpoenas against Harriet Miers and the President's Chief of Staff and hold them in contempt of Congress. In this time, at this moment, Congress must stand for the truth. If we fail to act, history may well judge us complicit in the alleged crimes of Vice President Cheney.

Madam Speaker, a growing chorus of Americans are calling for accountability. The response from Congress thus far has been silence and denial.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida is reminded to refrain from personal references toward the Vice President.

Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, not long ago I launched a Web site in support of my call for hearings. The people responded en masse. After only 4 weeks, over 189,000 Americans have registered their support for hearings, names I now hold in my hand. These frustrated and patriotic Americans come from all 50 States and share one common goal: accountability for the Bush-Cheney administration and a rebirth of Congress as an equal branch of government.

So many have been working on this cause before me. Groups like Democrats.com, AfterDowningStreet.org, CodePink, ImpeachBush.org, Impeach for Peace and others. All told, there have been well over 1 million signatures urging us to take action.

Tomorrow, I will deliver these names to my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee with a letter to my friend Chairman Conyers calling for hearings. I will ask my colleagues to sign this letter. In addition, tomorrow, and continuing every day for months, I will publish in the Congressional Record several thousand names of supporters who have signed up.

History demands that we take action, because the case against Vice President Cheney is far stronger than the illegalities surrounding Watergate. When compared to the partisan and petty allegations made against President Clinton by Ken Starr and the GOP Congress, the true gravity of the case against the Vice President appears in its devastating clarity. In fact, in the history of our Nation, we have never encountered a moment where the actions of a President or a Vice President have more strongly demanded the use of the power of impeachment.

I have heard the arguments that it is too late, that we have run out of time, and that we don't have the votes. While today there may not be enough votes to impeach, it is premature to think that such support would not exist after hearings. Let us remember that it wasn't until after hearings began that the Watergate tapes emerged. Who knows what facts will comfort when the full truth is told in this case?

Arguing that it is too late signals to future administrations that in the waning months in office they are immune from constitutional accountability. Hold hearings which will put the evidence on the table, and the evidence alone must determine the outcome.

[Joanne98]

1. K&R!

[seemslikeadream]

2. Video here

:hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x95110

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

3. Recommended,...for the Constitution, for "the people", for the rule of law rather than men,...

FOR DEMOCRACY!!!

There is always time,...for truth and justice. ALWAYS!!!

Always.

[seemslikeadream]

4. history may well judge us complicit in the alleged crimes of Vice President Cheney

history may well judge us complicit in the alleged crimes of Vice President Cheney

[LWolf]

14. History, and RIGHT DAMNED NOW, too.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[badgerpup]

33. "History" does not judge. PEOPLE judge and record "history".

Pisses me off, talking about history as though it's a sentient being...
You will be RECORDED in history as having been complicit in the alleged crimes of Vice President Cheney.

/mini:rant:

Nice to see this...at last.

[fascisthunter]

5. Jesus DUers Kick This!!!

[Kaleko]

23. Okay!! Yes, sure.

:-)

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Quit playing around and get on with it

The republicans will never let any decent bill get pass anyway
and even if they do Georgie will either do signing statements or veto it...


Let the hearings begin and stop looking at the butt of a ball player.

Nominated....from another cranky bastard.

[caseycoon]

7. K&R! WOWWWWWW! n/t

[robertpaulsen]

8. K & R. Priorities matter, and justice should be our #1 priority.

:hi:

:kick:

[seemslikeadream]

9. Boulder Colorado joins over 90 cities asking for Impeachment.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2890832&mesg_id=2891832

[The Doctor.]

10. But... There must have been at least TWICE as many cities outraged over Clinton!

:sarcasm:

Never has impeachment been more necessary in our history than it is now.

This is insanity.

[Patchuli]

11. Yay! I get to be the 20th rec! Go Congr. Wexler!

:kick:

[Subdivisions]

12. KREC!!! n/t

[Orwellian_Ghost]

13. K&R n/t

[meow2u3]

15. K & R for democracy's sake

and for the sake of our nation! :patriot:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

16. Recommended

[petgoat]

17. Tell Everyone You Know--Sign the Petition.

http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com/

229,000 have signed. Help make it 230,000.

[Truth2Tell]

18. KR. Of course. nt

[FlyingSquirrel]

19. This happened over a month ago and we're just now hearing it?

Or is the date wrong? Or did we hear it 'cause I certainly think I would have, but perhaps it was drowned out by the primaries.

[Senator]

20. Failure To Impeach -- Worse Than Bushcheney Itself (yes, really)

Which would you rather have -- some powerful criminals that get away with murder or a impotent/corrupt police department that lets all criminals get away with everthing?

The "evil" quote has always been an oxymoron.

"Doing nothing" in the face of evil disqualifies one from the label "good."

----

[tomp]

27. that's why i'm not voting for anyone who doesn't have a plan...

...to hold bush cheney accountable. it is my number one issue and it is not negotiable.

[radfringe]

21. received yet another letter in the mail from DNC

asking for donations...

I wrote: SHOW ME THE IMPEACHMENT AND I'LL SHOW YOU THE MONEY

Tucked all the materials they sent into the SASE and dropped it in the mailbox

While I applaud the contempt citation regarding Bolton and Miers, and recognize this as a good start on growing a pair of balls and a backbone - it's just one step. I'll breath a little easier when I see a few steps strung together without the dems falling down and apologizing.

[Danascot]

36. Similar here

but I told them I would contribute instead to Robert Wexler in recognition of his efforts for impeachment. I have my priorities.

https://www.wexlerforcongress.com/contribute.asp

[rambler_american]

22. K&R

:kick:

[Usrename]

24. Wexler for Speaker!

Impeach!

[me b zola]

38. Hear, hear!

Wexler for Speaker! :applause:

[12string]

25. Thank you Congressman Wexler

K&R The only way America can ever look the rest of the world eye to eye ever again is to show them that the actions of this administration are not condoned by the American people.We have a moral obligation to live up to the standards we demand of others.Failure to do so will doom us to a single foreign policy choice:Imperialism,and a guaranteed ever faster downward spiral toward fascism and tyranny as the domestic policy.We all know this when we look in the mirror.

[yellerpup]

26. Eloquently argued and way past due.

Get on it now! K&R!

[focusfan]

28. i wish they would just impeach the s.o.b and be done with it.

and stop pussying footing around

[RBInMaine]

29. Cheney is awful, but impeachment won't happen.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

30. Thank you, SLAD for all that you contribute!

Petition signed!

[Phred42]

31. K & R

:kick:

[electropop]

32. Well said, Mr. Wexler!

It is very important to impeach, even if it takes until Jan 20th 2009. We need to send a message to all future criminals that this nation will not tolerate the shredding of our Constitution.

[L. Coyote]

34. 229,666 signatures and climbing ** wexlerwantshearings.com

http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com

[Plucketeer]

35. So very frustrating!

When will the folks in congress realize who it was that sent them there??? :crazy:

[MaryRN]

37. K&R

[McCamy Taylor]

39. Impeach Cheney for no-bid Halliburton contracts and America will applaud.

America hates a war profiteer!

[jaybeat]

40. I will STOP AT NOTHING TO ELECT the FIRST candidate

(still in the race--THANKS Dennis!) who openly supports this.

Sadly, I fear my boundless energy and enthusiasm will go unused...

[Gonnuts]

41. big deal

this is over a month old ... I hate to say this but there will be no impeachment, our govenment is just to corrupt.

[samplegirl]

57. I smell a Freeper

[RHM217]

42. Impeachment - A Bad Idea

While I agree completely that Cheney has been a destructive and malignant presence, I nonetheless think impeaching him at this point would be a bad move. The reason is that any impeachment proceeding will turn into a major media circus that will overshadow the presidential campaign. The impeachment would suck the oxygen from the political air - deflecting discussion of issues of importance to the future - turning the campaign into a referendum on impeachment instead of a campaign on the issues. For those of us that badly want the Republicans to lose control of the Executive Branch, nothing - nothing at all- is more important than getting a Democrat elected. Anything that detracts from the time, energy or resources required for that is bad. It's that simple.

Congress' ability to start and complete an impeachment before Jan 20, 2009 is.... questionable, to be charitable about it. A proceeding that cannot be completed before this Congress adjourns is a waste of time.

Besides, there is a much simpler way to get the right result in the long run. AFTER Jan 20, 2009, begin an investigation - appoint a special prosecuter and the whole thing. There would be no artificial time limit. The process would be freed of the most obvious political defects of an impeachment. An impeachment focuses on one person, but criminal proceedings can sweep in anyone (not just Cheney, but Bush, Rumsfeld, etc etc ), anyone who committed a crime can be charged and tried. AND, perhaps best, an impeachment does no more than remove someone from office - conviction on a criminal charge carries with it prison sentences and fines,

As much as I want Cheney out of office, I want even more to see Cheney and his cohorts serving tie in federal penitentiaries.

[ClassWarrior]

43. So the political ramifications are more important to you than the Constitution?

:eyes:

Diary by Rep. Wexler on Cheney Hearings
Wexler For Congress Campaign, Daily Kos
Monday, December 31, 2007

I think it's important to point out that while there may not currently be 218 votes in support of actual impeachment, it's premature to think that support would not be there AFTER hearings...

The whole purpose of hearings is to investigate and verify credible allegations of wrongdoing. Let us remember that it wasn't until after hearings began that the Watergate tapes emerged. Who knows what will be uncovered when we explore the evidence already on the table? Who knows what support will emerge when the truth comes out?...

This administration has obstructed our agenda since we took the majority. There is little reason to think that if we avoid hearings, we will suddenly find ourselves in an easier position. In fact, there is good cause to believe the opposite - that if we avoid hearings, we will STILL be obstructed. Such an outcome would be tragic...

Lastly, there are those that suggest that there is too little time to conduct hearings. This is a dangerous idea, as it signals to future presidents that after the third year of their term, they're effectively immune from serious inquiry. No President or Vice President should have such immunity. The Constitution does not include a statute of limitations...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/31/111617/85/837/428339

NGU.

[Kurovski]

44. K&R. (nt)

[wiggs]

45. 90 cities have passed resolutions calling for impeachment hearings. nt

[juno jones]

46. K&R

You rock SeemsLikeaDream!

[scarletwoman]

47. Late k&r (nt)

[AikidoSoul]

48. If I see one more impeachment thread.....

it will mean that these fuckers are still not impeached.

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[AikidoSoul]

49. K & R

[Jack Rabbit]

50. I'm Jack Rabbit, and I approve this message

My mark placed here with the assistance of
the University of Kansas

[earth mom]

51. BIG K & R!!!

:kick:

[lonestarnot]

52. K and R whether it's too late or not!

[ClassWarrior]

53. What would make it "too late?" I don't get your point...

NGU.

[lonestarnot]

54. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

That help you out any?

[ClassWarrior]

55. LOL... Yes. Thank you.

I may be darker and grayer now, but once a blonde, always a blonde.

NGU.

[lonestarnot]

56. Hey me too.

But it's not natural LOL and still a redhead at heart! Fight'n Irish never goes away.

[pleah]

58. Impeach now!

229,842 signatures, if you haven't sighed the petition please do so now!



http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com /:woohoo:

[Freddie Stubbs]

59. Conyers: 3 More Congress Members and I'll Impeach

By David Swanson

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has said that if three more Congress Members get behind impeachment he will start the impeachment proceedings.

I was a guest today on Bree Walker's radio show. She's the progressive radio host from California who purchased Cindy Sheehan's land from her in Crawford, Texas.

Bree attended an event on Friday in San Diego at which Congressman Conyers spoke about impeachment. Her report was extremely interesting. I had already heard reports that Conyers had said: "What are we waiting for? Let's take these two guys out!" But, of course, what we're waiting for is John Conyers. Is he ready to act? It was hard to tell from that comment. In January, Conyers spoke at a huge rally on the National Mall and declared "We can fire them!" but later explained that what he meant was that we could wait for two years and Bush and Cheney's terms would end. Was this week's remark just more empty rhetoric?

It appears to be more than that. Bree Walker told me, on the air, that Conyers said that all he needs is three more Congress Members backing impeachment, and he'll move on it, even without Pelosi. I asked whether that meant specifically moving from 14 cosponsors of H Res 333 to 17, or adding 3 to the larger number of Congress Members who have spoken favorably of impeachment but not all signed onto bills. Bree said she didn't know and that Conyers had declined to take any questions.

more: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24962