Political Quotes

“I rise to oppose the open ended investigation and support a limited one. Mr. Speaker, the overturning of an election in a democracy should not be taken lightly. Our country's history in presidential impeachment inquiries is limited due to the seriousness of overturning an election. The President's conduct cannot be defended, and I have not done so. Like most Americans, I believed the President last January when he misled and lied to us. I was disappointed with the President's behavior and I will not defend his actions. The House Judiciary Committee has recommended the beginning of an inquiry into impeachment of the President. This resolution is not limited in scope or time. The Independent Counsel's office has submitted one report based on the Lewinsky allegations while the Judiciary Committee, on a partisan vote, wants an inquiry that is broad-based and not limited in time. We should provide limits to any inquiry that potentially will overturn an election. One of our founding fathers, George Mason, said that the phrase 'high crimes and misdemeanors' refers to presidential actions that are great and dangerous offenses, or attempts to subvert the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, in the Federalist Paper Number 65, wrote that 'Impeachable offenses relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to society itself.' An impeachment should only be undertaken for serious abuse of official power or a serious breach of official duties.”