Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974 (2/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974 (2/2)
[01.03.50] [Jim LEHRER in studio, seated at desk with large headshot of NIXON shown on screen behind him] LEHRER introduces the videotaped broadcast of the daytime session by summarizing the charges ultimately approved and rejected by the JUDICIARY COMMITEE against President NIXON. Paul DUKE summarizes the first hour's debate, in which Rep. McCLORY proposes the ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT charging NIXON with illegally refusing to honor the Committee's SUBPOENAS, "STONEWALLING" the investigation, and Rep. FROEHLICH says that the committee should have asked the Supreme Court to intervene rather than raising an ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT over the subpoenas. LEHRER summarizes the second hour of debate, in which Rep. EDWARDS says that the power of the CONGRESS to issue SUBPOENAS is an essential part of the IMPEACHMENT POWER, and cannot be defied by a President, and Rep. RAILSBACK calls the ARTICLE "POLITICAL OVERKILL". DUKE summarizes the third hour of debate, on the subject of the BOMBING OF CAMBODIA, in which Rep. LATTA argues that NIXON cannot be impeached for an action taken to save American lives, and Rep. COHEN charges that the abuse of War Powers by recent Presidents is in great part the result of the "sloth and default of Congress". LEHRER summarizes the fourth hour of debate on the CAMBODIA BOMBING in which Rep. WALDIE says NIXON should be impeached for abusing the War Power that belongs rightly to Congress, and Rep. FLOWERS calls the fourth ARTICLE of IMPEACHMENT a "bad rap" for NIXON. [01.05.58--Chairman RODINO gavels the meeting to order] The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come. to order. I recognize the gentleman from Illinois. Mr. McClory. Mr. McCLORY, Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment in the form of article III at, the, clerk's desk. CHAIRMAN. The clerk will read the article. CLERK. [reading]: Immediately after article II, add the following additional article. Article III. In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, contrary to his oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability,. to Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has failed without lawful cause or excuse to produce papers and things as directed by duly authorized subpenas issued by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on April 11, 1974, May 15, 1974, May 30, 1974, and June, 24, 1974, and -willfully disobeyed such subpenas. The subpenaed papers and things were deemed necessary by the committee to its inquiry, authorized and directed by resolution of the House of Representatives to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to impeach Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States, In refusing to provide these papers and things, he has acted in derogation of the power of Impeachment vested solely in the House of Representatives by the Constitution of the United States. In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional Government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore, Richard M. Nixon by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Illinois. Mr. McCLORY. Mr. Chairman, preliminary to presenting a discussion in support of my-of the proposed article III, I ask unanimous consent that all debate on article III, including the consideration of any amendments thereto, be limited to a period not to exceed 3 hours Debate on. any amendment shall not exceed 30 minutes, divided equally between the proponents and opponents of the amendment, The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection? Mr. LATTA. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Reserving the right to object--- The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Ohio. Mr. LATTA. Mr. Chairman, I think every member on this committee is fully familiar with this article of impeachment and made up his mind and I think 3 hours* debate time is much too long. I would hope that the gentleman would consider this and reduce that amount of time. The, CHAIRMAN. All right, I advise the gentleman from Ohio that the unanimous consent request is to the effect that debate not exceed 3 hours. It is not necessary that we consume 3 hours. Mr. LATTA. By the same token, Mr. Chairman, I could consume 3 hours. The CHAIRMAN. But any member of the committee may move the question after consideration of any amendments and that period could come prior to the 3-hour limitation. At any time prior to that at, The gentleman from Illinois. If there is no objection [01.10.08]