Elton Gallegly: “this has been a very trying time for all of us, for the President, and for the country. But there are few things more…”

“this has been a very trying time for all of us, for the President, and for the country. But there are few things more important than standing up for the Constitution of the United States and for the rule of law. There are three points I will make this morning in support of the articles of impeachment. First, I am a member of the Committee on the Judiciary. And based on months of review, it is clear to me that President Clinton repeatedly lied under oath, intentionally and willfully, during a civil deposition and before the Federal grand jury. He also attacked the integrity of Congress by lying under oath in response to the 81 questions submitted by the Committee on the Judiciary. Our legal system, which protects the rights and liberties of all citizens, is dependent on telling the truth, telling the truth under oath. The President is our chief law enforcement officer and our chief magistrate. When he lies under oath, he undermines the integrity of our judicial system and threatens the right and liberties of every one of us. Second, lying under oath after swearing before God and country to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is, and my fellow members I believe I know what ``is'' is, is an impeachable offense. Our legal system is dependent on people telling the truth, telling the truth under oath. Lying under oath undermines the rule of law. By lying under oath, President Clinton has also violated his presidential oath of office.”