Eva M. Clayton: “today is a very sad day for this House and this country. I rise in opposition to these articles of impeachment. What we…”

“today is a very sad day for this House and this country. I rise in opposition to these articles of impeachment. What we say today will be soon forgotten but what we do will be remembered throughout history. We are considering articles of impeachment of a President of the United States based on standards of our personal preference, selected interpretation of the law and partisan politics. Yet we use the Constitution, the rule of law for our reckless action. The Constitution clearly states what constitutes an impeachable offense, and we must not here attempt to substitute our personal views. We are establishing a dangerous precedent when we move to lower the standards below treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. We should follow the Constitution, not use it as a tool for public execution, but we should use it to extol the high virtues and the greatness of this Nation. Much is said about the rule of law and that the President is not above the law. The rule of law, however, must be based on justice, if it is to survive. The inscription that appears upon the United States Supreme Court says, equal justice under law. It should read, equal law under justice. Justice is a higher authority. The process of impeachment that we are now undertaking is permitted by law, but each of us must ask the question, what does justice require of us? The law says we indeed can impeach the President. Justice says we must consider the greatness of this country.…”