Lois Frankel: “In 1787, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked: Do we have a republic or a…”

“In 1787, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked: Do we have a republic or a monarchy? He responded: ``A republic, if you can keep it.'' Madam Speaker, a republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a public matter, not the private concern or property of the rulers. {time} 1445 In a republic, no person is above the law. In a republic, the President may not abuse his power by withholding critical foreign assistance for his own personal political gain nor may he stop witnesses from talking. I did not come to Congress to impeach a President, but I did take an oath to keep the Republic. For our children and our grandchildren, we should do nothing less. One day, I will tell my grandson that I stood up for our democracy. I will vote ``yes'' to impeach the President.”