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House Majority Whip urges senators to view evidence before opting for censure
Updated December 23, 1998
6:55 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (Court TV) — After refusing to allow a vote on censure in his chamber, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay said Wednesday that votes to remove the president might materialize "out of thin air" if senators examine the evidence.
A number of senators have been exploring, even tentatively supporting, censure — seeing it as an alternative to a long, fruitless, and politically risky trial. Republican Senators are concerned there never would be the two-thirds majority needed to convict President Bill Clinton of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The Senate’s top Democrat, Tom Daschle, decided to confirm speculation; he took a rough head count of members of both parties and told The New York Times Tuesday there were not enough votes to remove Clinton from office.
Daschle, D-S.D., told the Times, however, that he believes there is bipartisan support for censuring the president.
DeLay, R-Texas, argued Wednesday that it was premature to shortcut a Senate trial and rush to judgment. He said the House adopted two articles of impeachment "due to the overwhelming evidence against the president."
"Before people look to cut a deal with the White House or their surrogates who will seek to influence the process, it is my hope that one would spend plenty of time in the evidence room. If this were to happen, you may realize that 67 votes may appear out of thin air."
DeLay said a censure resolution would have failed in the House because the Democrats' proposal was too weak and any Republican resolution would have been too strong.
He advised senators, "There are reams of evidence that have not been publicly aired and are only available to members."
DeLay began rounding up House votes for impeachment at a time when several dozen moderates had not declared their intentions. Virtually all Republican moderates ended up voting with the party.
223 Republicans voted for the first article, accusing Clinton of federal grand jury perjury; only five GOP members cast negative votes.
The third article, charging the president with obstructing justice, garnered 216 Republican votes, two shy of a majority. But five Democrats broke ranks with their party and cast votes against Clinton, securing passage.
However, not all GOP members who voted for impeachment want the president removed from office — four joined Democrats in publicly urging the Senate to consider an alternative.
Reps. Sherwood Boehlert and Benjamin Gilman of New York, Mike Castle of Delaware and Jim Greenwood of Pennsylvania wrote Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., urging a censure that "would impose a fine and block any pardon."
Ken Johnson, spokesman for Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., said the lawmaker had discussions with a half-dozen House colleagues who, like himself, voted for impeachment. Tauzin and the other lawmakers "believe it's time to put this behind us," Johnson said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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