Jeff Bingaman: “as I make this statement today, it is doubtful that many in the press or the public are paying attention to the…”

“as I make this statement today, it is doubtful that many in the press or the public are paying attention to the proceedings of the Senate. While many are watching every nuance and listening to every syllable of the President's videotaped testimony before the still-sitting grand jury, I want to talk about what I believe is a more important issue--the basic fairness of the process of which the videotape is a part. Since we Senators may be called on to consider various allegations in judging articles of impeachment, I will not speak here about the substance of what is alleged, or about whether the allegations constitute adequate grounds for impeachment. But I believe each of us has an immediate obligation to concern ourselves with the process that is being followed. My purpose today is to call for fairness in that process; fairness in the procedures Congress follows as it prepares to consider these allegations; fairness in the treatment afforded the President. Regardless of what disposition is finally made of the allegations leveled against the President by the Independent Counsel, it is in the interests of everyone--especially future Presidents--that basic fairness be maintained. And to my mind it is impossible to conclude that the process to date has been fair.”