Political Quotes

“this debate comes very late, and it comes in a procedurally awkward manner. The resolution of censure that I am pleased to offer today was made in order for consideration in the Committee on the Judiciary by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the chairman. He understood the importance of an evenhanded process. He understood the need for balance. He perceived that fairness required the availability to the Members of the outcome for this investigation, which is the clear preference of the American people, the passage of a resolution of censure that admonishes the President for his conduct. I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for that evenhandedness. I can only wish that his example had been followed by the majority leadership in the House. With the leadership's concurrence, the Committee on Rules could have been convened, and a procedural resolution allowing floor consideration of both the articles of impeachment and a resolution of censure could have been reported and adopted by the House. This censure resolution could have and should have been made in order from the start. But that did not occur. The Members of the House did not have a censure alternative available to them from the beginning, and a point of order has been reserved to this resolution offered at the present time. I very much regret this procedure. I think it is a monument to unfairness.”