Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974 (1/2)
[00.47.26] [LEHRER/DUKE in studio] DUKE comments that to him, it seems that the debate was of exceptional caliber, with only a few scattered low moments. He was struck by speeches on many occasions, but he was perhaps hardest hit by Rep. MANN's speech that the rule of law and justice must apply to the President regardless of party, and that MANN will deliver justice fairly according to his own Oath of Office. Introduces guest analysts Jack MURPHY (Georgetown Law School) and George WILL (Columnist). Asks how damaging to NIXON the hearings have been, and what lies ahead. MURPHY says from a legal perspective, it's very damaging, that a bipartisan majority voted heavily in favor of two articles of impeachment, and perhaps from a political perspective, it's even worse, deferring to WILL'S analysis. Adds that the hearings have been a celebration of high-minded and principled debate, with very few exceptions to civility. Says that it was a mistake for the majority to allow debate on the TAX FRAUD and CAMBODIA articles to last so long because those articles are susceptible to the interpretation of being vehicles for political grandstanding. The debate around those was more acrimonious. States that as a general rule, though, the interview just seen with Reps WIGGINS and WALDIE shows the high level of the debate and the classiness of the proceedings, that can't help but bolster the confidence of the public in the Congress. WILL says that legally, this is just another step on the road, but concurs with MURPHY that what DIDN'T happen was significant--on the more serious issues, the debate was serious, and, while the debate did fall to triviality on the more trivial articles, it will be remembered as a lofty debate of serious mattes. Says it was a good civics lesson for the TV audience. What the results mean is that "a broad, bipartisan majority voted two powerful articles of impeachment", and Pro-NIXON members in the full HOUSE VOTE will have a very difficult time claiming that the recommendations of the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE were PARTISAN or based on inadequate evidence. LEHRER asks if, given the impending HOUSE VOTE and possible SENATE TRIAL, the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE will just be a fleeting moment in history or if it wil be remembered more strongly. WILL quips that "fleet" is not a very appropriate word for the way the proceedings went, but notes that if there were 35 hours of debate for the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, there will probably be more than 100 for the HOUSE VOTE, and if it's televised, he doesn't know if the AMERICAN PEOPLE can stand it. LEHRER calls on LEWIS for further comment. [LEWIS in Rayburn Building hallway] LEWIS says the debate ended with a whimper, as the last hours of debate were neither enlightening nor productive, but the total impact is to give an insight to the public into the workings of the Constitutional system and the Congress. this will be a positive for the public. [LEHRER/DUKE in studio] LEHRER says that now it is possible to project a timetable for the rest of the Impeachment Process, noting the nine months of the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE's work, speculating that the HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE will require a week to set the rules of debate, including AMENDMENT protocol, television coverage, and limits on debate. Notes August 12, 1974 as the ideal start for the HOUSE FLOOR debate, although this may not be met due to delays with the earlier committees. Likewise for the projected deadline of August 23, 1974 for the final vote on the HOUSE FLOOR. Speculates that should a SENATE TRIAL be reached, it would start in mid-September and last approximately six weeks. LEHRER states that Majority leader SENATOR MANSFIELD has not committed to getting the trial done before the ELECTIONS, but is on the record with his desire to finish the trial before the end of the year. DUKE wishes viewers good night, introduces the beginning of videotaped coverage from the daytime session. [the rollcall of the committee on the TAX FRAUD vote is heard as the credits roll over a shot of the studio correspondents] [NPACT ID--PBS Network ID--promos for PBS programming] [00.59.45-- end of live coverage]