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

[Wilburrr]

Lying
Torture
Voter Caging
Plamegate

It's about damn time.

But you have to go after Cheney first. Cheney cannot be allowed to be President.

[Primadonna]

With all due respect Representative Wexler, Dennis Kucinich with much clarity has been calling for an impeachment. Has this member of your own party who so happens to be running for president slipped your mind? What I sense from your blog is a perfect demonstration of more of the "same division" ... sadly within your own house. The strength of which you speak is in joining ranks with one of your own who has been on the forefront of this charge. In actuality, what I sense from your blog is more of the same politics as usual - lacking clarity which leaves me questioning your intention. I'm also sensing that you are demonstrating the further blurring of the two-party system, thus campaign reform must be on the agenda for a truly progressive democracy to thrive.

Show me your sincerity sir and join with Kucinich. At least lay all of your cards on the table because some of us are aware.

[Beckyjo]

This is wonderful!!! Rep. Wexler, go for it!!!
I am so tired of watching Congress sit on their butts, or stand and pontificate. Just do something...even if it's wrong. Then at least you'll be seen as doing SOMETHING, not just being bent to the will of the President. We voted for you Democrats, and you had better get your acts together if you want to stay on your jobs!!!

[mellene]

We should all be thankful to Wexler and his fellow judiciary committee members who want to advance hearings following the Kucinich resolution which referred it to that committee. The Democratic leadership ought to get out of the way, before they're stampeded by the public demanding that these hearings go forward.

[ChimpmasterDJ]

Mr. Wexler, I would suggest you force a situation in which BOTH Mr. Reid and Mrs. Pelosi would be forced to answer you, in writing or on video, with a detailed reasoning of why it is their perception that laying out articles of impeachment against those Constitution violators would NOT be a breach of their own oath of office.

Let them get on the record as to why protecting the Constitution is no longer a priority.

[mcostello]

Representitive Wexler:
Your perspective is twisted and the only way to right the boat is to suddenly stop watching polls, and care more about your country than your re-election.
The assertion that you need a groundswell of popular support to DO YOUR DUTY TO THE CONSTITUTION is untenable.
It's called leadership Sir.
And the democratic leadership's desire to appear strong in implimenting their agenda while the Prez dances (in a bad way) on the Constitution is like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
I'll sign your website (or whatever) but just do your job, your duty, and not be forever remembered as a part of the congress that lost our government.

[Thurber]

Rep. Wexler,

I've long since concluded that the Democratic leadership in congress is so dysfunctional, that the only solution is primary challenges in every district.

You are one of the few exceptions to the rule, and I'm proud you are my congressman. Keep up the good work.

[Bobby]

Go for it. But REALLY do it!!! Don't take no for an answer!

[NeoLiberal]

Here here.

[gotalife]

Your party caves on everything then runs against it to get reelected like Iraq.

They will not back impeachment and your party needs new leadership who will back impeachment, the Constitution and the rule of law.

[TomR]

Rep. Wexler, I'm with you 1,000,000 %

I've concluded that through Bush's warrantless spying on Dems in Congress, he's blackmailing them into not pursuing impeachment. He'll make sure that whatever dirt he has on them, it'll come up should impeachment come up.

So, Rep. Wexler, can you convince your Democratic colleagues to fall on their own swords (expose their own dirt themselves) in order to save our Democratic Republic?

PLEASE!!!

- TOm

[pooski]

Leading the country to war under false pretenses, and trying to do so a second time in the case of Iran, are pretty good arguments for impeachment.

Rep. Wexler, it would be well for you to remember that a stupid housewife named Pelosi "took impeachment off the table," and in so doing subverted her duties under the constitution.

So why don't you Democratic "representatives" look to your own sad species before you ask for 50,000 signatures. Have you forgotten that we already voted on the matter last November?

[JHD]

This is all so obvious how come the rest of the Democrats don't see impeachment as their duty under the constitution? The Democrats have failed to end the war and failed to impeach Bush and Cheney. That says everything to me about what your party really stands for. Endless war and turning a blind eye to corruption. Following the Constitution is "off the table".

[Bluedanube]

Pelosi and Reid are worthless. Their actions and inaction border on treason.

[DogLeg]

I have signed every impeachment petition since 2001 against these collusive criminals. Not one to my memory had your name attached to it.

Why now after seven years?

If my memory fails me, show me the bill, the petition, the year, month, day, etc.

Otherwise, who the hell are you?

And, by the way, I am not discouraging your attempt at correcting egregious wrongs, I am, however very curious, after all these years,why you suddenly understood what the oath you agreed to, and myself in 1966, finally meant something to you beyond whatever it is you think in your opinion what is important in contrast to the demands of the electorate whom you represent?

Excuse me if I represent myself as coarse, or rude, to your elevated position above my humble 61 years of meager existence, which your birthright cohorts routinely ignore. Yet, I assure you, and your cohorts, I am thoroughly ashamed...