James Traficant: “I do not question anyone's motives. Both parties agree to some degree that the President broke the law. We disagree on…”

“I do not question anyone's motives. Both parties agree to some degree that the President broke the law. We disagree on the punishment. Now some say the Constitution does not allow censure. I say the Constitution does not prohibit censure. The founders left it up to the elected Congress, not to unelected judges. Therefore, we are to work our political will. Let me say this tonight. I believe precedents and history requires that we work our political will. The standard is high crimes. Did he break the law? Probably so. But what were those laws? No charges on Filegate, Travelgate, Whitewater, Chinagate, Vincent Foster. What did he touch? Where did he touch it? When did he touch it? Did he cover it up? Does this offense warrant the death penalty? Make no mistake, impeachment is tantamount to the political element of capital punishment. Mr. Speaker, an impeachable offense should be one that threatens liberty, not chastity. I advise the Congress to censure the President, who would be prosecuted after he completed his terms, rather than demean the status of high crimes. Take politics out of that really. The President broke the law, we are sure of that, but I do not believe it requires the death penalty.”