The Case for Impeachment Hearings

I was serving in Congress and on the Judiciary Committee for the ridiculous and politically motivated impeachment hearings of President Clinton. During that witch hunt Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, and Ken Starr wasted a year and a half on investigations and hearings about President Clinton's personal relations. However, this attempted coup d'etat by Republicans against President Clinton was not and should not be the standard of impeachment that was enshrined by the Founders in our Constitution.

First, impeachment hearings are only proper when significant allegations exist that the President or Vice-President, or others civil officers, committed actions - within their official duties - that constitute 'High Crimes and Misdemeanors.' The allegations against Clinton - involving a personal affair - never reached this threshold. The serious charges against Cheney involve alleged crimes that are central to his duties of Vice-President; namely war and peace, the widespread violations of civil liberties, and the security of the United States and our covert agents.

Unlike the show trial put on by Republicans against President Clinton, a proper impeachment hearing would involve a fair and objective presentation of the facts without hyperbole or political gamesmanship. The hard evidence that is presented at the hearings will be judged fully both by Congress and the American people. The evidence alone will determine the outcome, and if it is determined that Vice President Cheney committed "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" he should be properly impeached and put on trial before the Senate.

After the Democratic Party regained control of Congress, many - myself included - thought that it might be possible to meet President Bush half-way on the large issues facing our nation. Unfortunately, Bush has been nothing more than an ideological obstacle. He has vetoed stem cell research. He has vetoed efforts to bring our troops home from Iraq. He vetoed children's health care. So, the idea that we are somehow inhibiting Congress from passing our agenda by holding impeachment hearings - unfortunately - is a false argument.

Instead, I believe that we can both live up to our Constitutional obligation by holding hearings and pass a Democratic agenda. If President Bush perceives that the Democratic Congress is weak and unwilling to aggressively push our agenda - he will continue to veto legislation, such as children's health care - that is supported by a majority of Americans. The only way to move a progressive Democratic agenda is by acting through strength and following through on our core principles. A Congress willing to stand up to the abuses of the Bush Administration through impeachment hearings will demonstrate a strength of will that will more likely convince Bush to accommodate on issues such as Iraq, health care, and energy and environmental issues.

Today, I was joined by two other members of the House Judiciary Committee, Reps. Luis Gutierrez and Tammy Baldwin, who penned an online editorial with me calling for these impeachment hearings. In support of this effort I am releasing a call to action on video and launched WexlerWantsHearings.com. The full op-ed from the three Judiciary Committee Members can be read at this site. If we can get 50,000 or even more people to sign up in support of this effort I will report back to each and every Democratic colleague of mine the true power that exists behind this movement.

Comments

[ptarantino]

Rep. Wexler,

You have your 50,000 supporters. Please do your job & start the investigation.

[PuffDragon]

It's amazing that all major newspapers have denied Rep. Wexler an Op-Ed page.

Call the NY Times to ask why - when they did just that re; impeaching Clinton for matters far less serious.

NYT Op-Eds:
Andy Rosenthal
212-556-1582

Main Editorial:
212-556-1876

[scooperss]

You asked for 50,000.

Got over 80,000.

Now you want 250,000.

Call me cynical but it seems to be a campaign ploy and nothing else to you.

You've played over 80,000 people for fools. That makes you almost as bad as those you talk against.

[MAX1]

.

Congressman Wexler,

I write this days later from a previous post I made. Days later, deep sixed and now you tell us... now show me 250,000 more.

ARGUMENT:
The DA has been presented a rape case to pursue.
What would it make that DA if he were to tell the victim, "When more people come forward, then I'll prosecute." ?

Is he not failing the victim AT-THAT-VERY-MOMENT?

CRIMES HAVE BEEN COMMITED.
Congress has a duty nay, an OBLIGATION¦ NOT a choice, to bring about a course correction and administer the proper hand of justice.

YOUR WORDS¦ "AN OBLIGATION!"

ACT ON THAT OBLIGATION and stop using it for political advantage, you"re making the DOJ scandal PALE in comparison. This IS HORSE MANEUER!

Lazy Congresspeople wouldn"t know the Law if it bit them on their noses.

Consider the consequences of inaction:

Just HOW is Congress supporting and defending OUR constitution of the U.S.A. when they consistently allow it"s usurpation and wanton and willful violation. Forget the fact that Congress doesn"t care they"ve been supplanted by the Administration, for they deserve what they tolerate, but to NOT support and defend THE PEOPLE"S RIGHTS¦ IS A BETRAYAL OF THE HIGHEST.

T R E A S O N!

Such hesitation can only be justified when one understands that in that Oath Congress swore to in it"s undertaking, they swore to do it freely, FAITHFULLY, WITHOUT mental reservations OR a purpose of evasion.

Just what is Congress supporting and defending IF NOT OUR RIGHTS?

Each evasion and obfuscation, each attempt to justify issues that act against deeply sacred and American values such as Habeas Corpus, the Right to redress and Due process, WARRANTS, council, etc, is an act AGAINST AMERICA AND EACH AMERICAN.

T R E A S O N!

The terrorists didn"t suspend Habeas Corpus, nor did the president or V.P¦.
¦ CONGRESS DID!

The terrorists didn"t refuse council, redress and due process¦
¦ CONGRESS DID!

The terrorists haven"t been briefed about WARRANTLESS WIRE TAPS OF AMEIRCANS or TORTURE¦
¦ CONGRESS HAS!

T R E A S O N!

.

[getoffmedz]

Dear Congressman Robert Wexler - Thank you for sweeping aside the anger and emotion of this vital issue facing our country.

First, it is clear to many that the current administration is counter-productive to our national interests and suits the needs of those who have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the American people, only their own. They are either foreign-based and/or represent but a tiny fragment of the total U.S. population.

Second and most essential is developing a significant body of HARD EVIDENCE. A misfiring impeachment process will only serve the criminals infesting our White House and distract many from other pressing issues. Does this HARD EVIDENCE exist? A faulty impeachment my even embolden enemies of our country.

The future of our country as we know it may very well rest in the hands of this Congress and the next?

Are those of you who want to correct, prosecute and punish the evil-doers infesting our White House truly up to the task?

The future of the United States of America depends upon it!

[Nyla785]

We've swallowed enough BS from this administration and have taken it calmly. I want my constitution back..the whole thing...habeas corpus, 4th amendment, free and fair elections, 3 co-equal branches of government, and participation of the people in their own affairs. And I don't care who we have to kick around to get it.

[ZydecoCaptain]

Forget Pelosi, et. al. IMPEACH CHENEY NOW. Save the country and the Constitution. Support the troops and bring them home.

JUST DO IT!!!!

[Dianekkdi]

I'm in.

Impeach
Prosecute
Imprison

Treason and High Crimes and Misdemeanors are not subject to term limits.

[smith9898]

I hope between Wexler and Kunich will start the proceeding on impeachment as soon as possible. However, I hope they know they will be challenge,but we must be persistent and determined to see this impeachment process through to the end. It about time DEMS got some backbone to against these crooks and liars. REP WEXLER I hope you will keep us informed about this important matter of impeachment.

[loki]

There was a petition online to get Pelosi to move with impeachment hears not to long ago, I think that attempt reached your required 50thousand. I think this, like most of what the democrats have done since we fell for their dribble and voted them into a position of power, is just another PR stunt to buy a little compassion from what was your base. But I fear many like myself are tired of taking democrats on their word anymore, as they have broken it constantly since we voted them into power.
Im not falling for this one either, and I doubt a lot of others will either. Your a 100 days short, and a few 100 billion dollars short. Democrats have shown they will do what Bush wants as long as they can have some time to put on a little theater for the constituents.
Whats that old saying.

Fool me once, shame on me, Fool me a couple hundred times now, shame on me for being the fool.

[nightprowler]

by the time impeachment hearings go anywhere..these assclowns will be on there own island in dubai...how about some nice relaxing waterboarding...since they like it so much

[suki21693]

Don't just sign it....EMAIL THE LINK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

50,000? Hell, I bet you can 500,000 with a couple of more days.

[SamSeven]

As A Canadian,
Better late then never. If you hadn't noticed paper shredding at the Whitehouse is up 600%. They are getting rid of the evidence.
There must be more than enough evidence, witnesses and documentation to Impeach Cheney.
Get on with it Man!!

[physicaltherapist]

I am very happy Rep Wexler is taking on this cause. I definitely want Cheney OUT, but could someone please reassure me that everyone who signs Wexler's petition can only be counted once because I think I just successfully signed twice. I am not happy about that. I want to make sure that all 50000+ are legit.

[scooperss]

You have over 50,000 in 2 days. See how serious American is about this issue.