Zoe Lofgren: “Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, there are three issues in this matter before us tonight. First on the question of values, the…”

“Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, there are three issues in this matter before us tonight. First on the question of values, the President has clearly failed. Second, on the question of law, the Constitution says that regardless of what the Congress may do the President shall ``nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.'' But it is the third question that we must decide, the constitutional question of removal from office. This is the only question that we are permitted to decide, and let us follow our Nation's charter in making this decision. Let us make known our great respect for the Constitution by realizing that while President Clinton's behavior was wrong and unacceptable, impeaching him is the wrong punishment. Moving forward with impeachment is not consistent with the intent of the Constitution and the duty we are charged to follow as the great statesman and former congressman and senator Daniel Webster once said, his words about the Constitution could not be truer today, ``We may be tossed upon an ocean where we can see no land or perhaps even the sun or the stars, but there is a chart and a compass for us to study, consult and obey and that chart is the Constitution.'' May God help us keep it strong and may we resolve to uphold it.”