Arlen Specter: “I think Senator Lieberman has advanced an argument in support of my amendment. If I could have the attention of Senator…”

“I think Senator Lieberman has advanced an argument in support of my amendment. If I could have the attention of Senator Lieberman, when I quote him, I want to quote him to his face. I want him to hear what I have to say. I say to Senator Lieberman, we agree more often than we disagree, although we are at odds on two of my amendments today. But when the distinguished Senator from Connecticut cites the relationship between President Clinton and FBI Director Freeh, I think he is supporting my argument. He is supporting my argument about the need for independence. There was an investigation being conducted by the FBI on campaign finance irregularities, and the President--I would not call him a subject, but he was a part of those who were being looked into on the soft money issue. Then, without unduly belaboring the point, on this floor we had the impeachment proceeding. Issues involved were obstruction of justice and perjury. So the kind of independence the Director of FBI had by virtue of a 10-year term, I think, served the Nation well. Going back to the administration of President Nixon, without going into any detail, you had activities by the FBI Director which led to this 10-year term to insulate the Director from the appointing authority by the President.”