Steve Rothman: “after 4\1/2\ years investigation of nearly every aspect of President Clinton's public and private life, Independent…”

“after 4\1/2\ years investigation of nearly every aspect of President Clinton's public and private life, Independent Counsel Ken Starr presented the House with 11 allegations of impeachment, all relating only to the President's misconduct with Monica Lewinsky. The Democrats say that these are serious allegations and that we should resolve these 11 charges by the end of this year and let the chips fall where they may. The Republicans say that they will not be limited to the 4\1/2\ year investigation by Mr. Starr. They feel that Mr. Starr was too light on President Clinton, and so they want an impeachment inquiry not only limited to Mr. Starr's charges regarding Miss Lewinski, but any other charges anyone can come up with on any subject at any time and with no time limit. And they want the American people to pay for it. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Republican bill is unfair, it is unfair to the President, it is unfair to our country, and it is not in our national interest. We already know that what the President did was wrong, It was morally wrong, and now we need to decide what is an appropriate punishment for his offenses. But let us reject the open-ended Republican inquiry. Let us instead follow the democratic model and resolve the 11 charges that Mr. Starr actually brought to us and do so before the end of the year so that we can get together as a Nation and address the serious and important other issues that face us here at home and around the world.”