Delivers remarks later tonight at a fundraising event at the Trump International hotel. Back at theook 19981999 impeachment of president bill clinton. We will show you a portion of the u. S. House floor debate on four articles of impeachment. The house voted to approve two of those articles, making bill clinton the second president in u. S. History impeached since Andrew Johnson in 18 68. On december 18 and 19th, 1998, the house of representatives take you have articles of impeachment against present bill clinton. We will show you highlights coming up in a moment. First i would like to explain how the articles move from the house to to share committed the floor within a week . They pass out of the House Judiciary Committee. There was lots of discussion about what the rules would be. Obviously for this entire inquiry. Meaning, what the investigation be limited . And the House Judiciary Committee had already undertaken that and had established that the inquiry could. Really run very widely. It was not going to be limited to just a certain number of witnesses or certain number of days or even just to the monocle wednesday question. To the Monica Lewinsky question. Democrats fought to keep that from happening. But the rules were established. And the committee you know, because our memory is that in 2116 party line vote, the republicans were in control of the committee and they were the ones guiding it and moved pretty swiftly. And the house floor was ready to take it up under the Republican Leadership of the house at the time. Remember so much drama. We literally went through three speakers within a couple of days. First the resignation of speaker Newt Gingrich. Bob livingston became the next in line. . Then what happened . There was a scramble to figure out. One of Bob Livingstons allies try to talk him out of it. It was interesting because he had made the decision to resign with some agony. And he resigned because . He resigned because there was a full on press and the democratic world and larry flynt was asking for anyone to come forward with information about any other republicans who were involved in impeachment who had had extramarital relations for themselves. Reported and he understood that larry flynt was going to publish this, that he had had indiscretions in his own marital life. To my colleagues, my friends and most especially to my wife and family, i have hurt you all day play and i beg your forgiveness. I was prepared to lead our narrow majority as speaker and i believe i had it in me to do a fine job. But i cannot do that job. He was not the only one. There were other house members. There was a man house member who confessed to his wife, absolutely certain that it was going to be published and it never was so he had fessed up to his wife proactively, trying to had off what he thought was going to be a disaster. And when president clinton and his defenders knew that there were a variety of house nevers at that time who had a reputation house members at the time who had a reputation for stepping out on their family relationships, that were not expected. In this case, denny houston heame the speaker after withdrew unexpectedly. He took some time to think about it. He said no initially. Then he was talked into doing it. He prayed about it and said he would do it. He was the unexpected and reluctant speaker. We understood heading into the holidays that there was this terrain of everyone celebrating the end of the year and holidays. I remember at the white house, there was an annual christmas press party in which the press corps was invited. It was an odd event, because the president did not show up. That would have been very strange. The first lady did it by herself. She looked very unhappy in the line meeting with the press. Her feeling was she was angry at her husband, it also the news media, as well. On dennyfootnote asterisk danny astors career. Quiethad been a very coach earlier in his life. He left office and became a parent through a legal case that he had been paying black male a young what had been man, student, or someone he had coached and had improper sexual relations with the men and had been paying big money for a long lying about it, and he ended up being prosecuted and convicted for the money that he had paid. Back to december of 1998. Democrats are putting sensor, not impeachment. There were a lot of efforts to think of a way to punish the president that would stop short of impeachment . There were a couple of efforts. One was trying to encourage the House Republicans into the revolution of censure. Ofre was a rejection out hand, because republicans argued it is meaningless in the large scheme of things, and they were deserved to be removed from office. Happened once before Richard Nixon had resigned before the house impeached him or could impeach him. A Lasting Legacy no matter what happened in the senate. That didnt go very far. It came back in the senate, which was interesting. There was also discussion about whether it was worth it to argue the articles of impeachment being dismissed. That came up in the senate. If it would be worth filing a motion to have it all dismissed. There were a lot of efforts to the about ways to punish president without actually impeaching him. The republicans were determined to move ahead and made it clear they wanted to. Why . What was motivating them. What was the gop strategy . World they lived in, the president s behavior was so offensive, and a lot of these lawmakers were in districts where bill clinton was not necessarily popular as he was nationwide or polls suggested. It, the few of the House Republican managers was not in sync of where the president sbout the personal behavior, or his personal failings, because they were willing to see this as personal misbehavior of a sexual his that was really part of family relationship. Himas a responsibility of to his family, not necessarily the American People. Instead, House Republicans felt it was a violation of his oath of office and he had done damage to the nation. He deserved to be punished for it. What can you remember of the floor debate in the house . Was very vigorous, but it also showcased the stark differences that were argued. Since the democrats were able to with thedefense democratic talking points, which is what the republicans, it was a coup, an effort to get back at them. His reelection. Republicans were offering a passionate and determined violatedthat he had the morality of the nation, his constitutional oath of office, and there was a lot of passion. A portion of that debate from the house of representatives. This Network Within in its 19th 1998 them december of floor debate over the impeachment of president clinton. Strongly oppose these articles of impeachment and this flawed and undemocratic process. Againstthe real crime the American People and our democracy. This march 2 impeachment is an attempt to undo and overthrow a duly elected president and ignores the will of the people. Denying a vote on censure creates the appearance of oneparty autocracy, which we condemn abroad, and history has proven it can lead to authoritarian rule. This Republican Party coup underscores their only goal is to turn back the clock on an agenda that puts people first. An agenda that will want to cancel policies that value and support basic human rights, such as a womans right to choose. Insteadublic education of vouchers that insists on a living wage for working men and women that protects our environment, supports the bill of rights, and Social Security is preserved. The republican process is cynical and dangerous. It will be recorded they stood on the wrong side of history. We must restore public trust and establish a congress that communicates respect for the people of the u. S. , the constitution, and democracy. Gentleman from illinois. Minute to the gentleman from South Carolina, mr. Lindsey graham. Gentleman from South Carolina is recognized for one minute. Ladies and gentlemen of the house, theres a long and difficult process the house will be in order. Ladies and gentlemen, this long and difficult process for all of us on the house is almost with inclusion. 25 years ago, a democratic controlled Judiciary Committee with a minority of republicans, reported articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon. Why . Nixon cheated. He cheated the electoral system by concealing efforts of a political break in. His people thought the other side deserved to be cheated. They thought his enemies deserved to be mistreated. Ladies and gentlemen, they were wrong. With a smallicans, handful of democrats, will vote to impeach president clinton. Why . Because we believe he committed crimes resulting in a our legal system. Oathlieve he lied under numerous times, that he tempered with evidence, conspired to present false testimony to a court of law. We believe he has sullied our legal system in every way. Any president who cheats our institutions shall be impeached. Nowm pleased to recognize the gentleman from wisconsin. Like all my colleagues, ive spent a great deal of time during the Judiciary Committee testimony of evidence. Let me make absolutely clear i do not condone the behavior of the president , but the framers need clear the constitutional act of impeachment is not meant to punish a president for deplorable behavior, but to protect our nation from acts which differed eyes our democratic system. Jeopardizes our democratic system. What the president did was wrong morally, but it does not threaten our democracy or rise to the level of Impeachable Offenses as defined by our Founding Fathers in our constitution. I believe the president should be held accountable for his actions. His actions should be condemned and he should be fined. A central resolution that is being denied the opportunity to debate and vote on today. Our Founding Fathers designed impeachment specifically to protect the nation from great harm. The chief executive will clearly endanger our constitutional democracy. I do not believe his actions meet this test. The penalty for his misconduct should not be exacted through impeachment, but through our criminal court system and stern censure by this congress. Im pleased to yield two minutes to the distinguished gentleman from louisiana, mr. Livingston. Gentleman from louisiana is recognized for two minutes. Rentable. We have fulfilled our duty to our magnificent constitution. Yes our young men and women in the Uniformed Armed services have in the last few days set about the task of ridding the earth of the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of an enemy of civilization, saddam hussein. They have performed their tasks with valor and fortitude, and we freely engage in this most unpleasant aspect of selfgovernment. As was envisioned by our forefathers. The hostilitygret that has been bred in the halls of congress for the last months and years. I want so very much to pacify and pool our urging tempers and return to an era where differences were confined to the debate and not of personal suspect personal attack or assassination of character. Im proud to serve in this institution. Here because ads majority of roughly 600,000 people had the confidence to best us with this authority to act as their agents in a representative democracy. When given the chance, we often find that aside from political and partisan differences, we have much in common with one another. Never discover what the Common Ground may be between the sides of this narrow aisle. Done nothing to bring us together. I greatly regret it has become quite literally the opening gambit of the openly intended livingston speakership. I mostly would have written a different scenario had i had the chance. Pollens and the chessboard and we are playing parts in the drama that is neither fiction nor unimportant. Indeed it is of utmost significance in American History. My desire to create an environment for healing must but wesser precedents, must find the search for responsibility, duty, and justice in the format with the u. S. Constitution. I believe we are in active pursuit on these goals, and i give great credit to chairman. Yde and mr. Conyers mr. Tom rooney, all of the members of staff, the deliberate and conscientious effort on this most difficult task. Nearing completion. However the vote turns out, no owned up tothat we our constitutional responsibility as members of congress in a careful, respectful, and insightful debate. Much credit is due to our presiding officer, who has done an outstanding job. [applause] we differ on process. The minority believes we acted hastily and omitted an alternative from the options available for consideration. We in the majority believe we have properly begun the debate after setting aside a day to honor and praise our troops for the effort theyre extending on our behalf. The commander of the troop in iraq several years ago agreed with us on msnbc. Believe the constitution not be part of the debate on whether or not to impeach the president. We are supported by comments by then majority leader tip oneill during the impeachment proceedings. Ande are differences processes. What about substance . The minority has maintained the president has not perjured himself, and even if he did, search perjury was not in high crimes delineated in article two, section four of our constitution. Surely no president has been impeached for perjury, but three federal judges have been impeached and convicted under the perjury statutes. Perjury a felony punishable by up to five years. The president may be held accountable matter the circumstances. , and 116s a felony people are serving time in federal prison as we speak for perjury. Have been several instances of people going to prison following convictions for perjury involving lies under , under sexual circumstances. Knows that citizen he or she must not lie under oath. Ms. Christine sims of rockville maryland of the judiciary imittee two weeks ago said too was called upon to give answers under oath and in derogatorys during a civil proceeding. Truthful answers to those questions would be embarrassing to me. What i knew exposed me to criticism and had a potential to ruin my life, particularly as it related to my children, whom i love very much. In short, i was scared to tell the truth. I did just that. I could not lie, when i was sworn to tell the truth, no matter the risk or degree of temptation to take the easy way out. Parts of my life have been difficult since, because elements of that testimony have been used to scorn me. I as a common citizen was compelled by my conscious detail the truth. Yes our nation is founded on law, and not the whim of men. There is no divine right of residence. A president is an ordinary citizen vested with the power to govern and sworn to preserve, protect, and defend the u. S. Constitution. Inherent in that oath is a responsibility to live within its laws, with no higher or lower expectations than the average citizen. When the president appeared at the deposition of ms. Jones and secondly before the federal grand jury, he was sworn to a second. To tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god. This according to witnesses to the Judiciary Committee before the special counsel. It did not do. For this, i will vote to impeach the president of the u. S. Be consideredses by the u. S. Senate and the other body of this Great Congress uphold their responsibility to render justice on these most serious charges. President , you have done great damage to this nation over this past year. While your defenders are contending that further impeachment proceedings would only protract and exacerbate the damage to this country, id say you have the power to terminate that damage and heal the wounds you have created. You may resign your post. House will be in order. And i can only challenge you in such fashion if i am willing to heed my own words. Friends,leagues, my and my wife and family, i have hurt you all deeply. I beg your forgiveness. I was prepared to lead our narrow majority as speaker, and abelieve i had it in me to do fine job. Or be theo that job kind of leader i would like to be under current circumstances. Example that i hope president clinton will follow. Speaker ofstand for the house on january 6, but i shall remain as a backbencher in this congress that i dearly love for approximately six months whereupon i shall vacate and ask my governor to call a special election to take my place. I think my constituents for the opportunity to serve them. I hope they will not think badly of me for leaving. I thank my staff for all of their tireless work on my behalf. I think my wife most especially for standing by me. I love her very much. [applause] gentleman from new york is recognized for one minute. Without objection, the house will be in order so that gentlemen may be heard. Tough time to follow, but i must stay the course and be true to myself. The republican right wing in this country doesnt like it when we say coup detat. I will make it easier. Golpe de estado. Thats spanish for overthrowing a government. From day one, they wanted to get rid of bill clinton. They stayed on him and made him out to be the number one villain in this country. They have been blinded by hate then, and has been today. This place is full of hate because of what they tried to do to our president. My constituents dont hate bill clinton, they love him and are praying for him at this very moment. You may have the votes today to impeach, but you dont have the American People. The Public Housing projects of the south bronx, i can see bullies when i see them. The bullies get theirs, and you will get yours. The people will rise up from california to new york. They will rise up from texas, florida, everywhere in this country, and tell you not to do this to him. Dont ask him to quit. Bill clinton will never quit. [applause] the chair would ask all members to respect the contents time