Political Quotes

“Mr President, today we are involved in one of the most important functions of the U.S. Senate, and one of the most rare. Only 11 impeachment trials have been completed over the 221-year history of the Senate. Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the ``sole Power to try all Impeachments'' to the Senate, and we take this role very seriously. Judges may be impeached and, if convicted, removed for ``Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.'' Neither the Constitution nor statute define ``other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.'' So it is up to each one of us to determine what actions reach the level of impeachable offenses egregious enough to remove a Federal officer such as a district court judge. It is important that the judges that we confirm to lifetime appointments have the utmost integrity. Anything less would undermine public confidence in the judicial system which has such a major impact on the lives of Americans. These votes are among the most important and difficult that we cast. Today I will vote to convict Judge Porteous on the basis of articles I through III.…”