by David Cooper

Created on: July 16, 2008   Last Updated: July 18, 2008

July 2008, Congressman Dennis Kucinich's articles of impeachment were read into the Congressional Record. The House then voted to send them to the House Judiciary Committee. The following are statements of some of the republican members of that committee, which are also part of the Congressional Record. These statements may be surprising to some, considering the partisan atmosphere of recent years.

Lamar Smith (R-TX): We should not underestimate the gravity of the case against the President. When he put his hand on the Bible and recited his oath of office, he swore to faithfully uphold the laws of the United States. Not some laws, all laws. The rules under which President Nixon would have been tried for impeachment, had he not resigned, contained this statement, The office of the President is such that it calls for a higher level of conduct than the average citizen of the United States.' This will not be an easy task, in fact, it is a difficult ordeal for all Americans, but we will get through it. We are a great nation and a strong people. Our country will endure because our Constitution works, and has for 200 years. As much as we might wish to avoid this process of impeachment, we must resist the temptation to close our eyes and pass by. The President's actions must be evaluated for one simple reason, the truth counts. No one is above the law. Actions have consequences. We the People should insist on these high ideals.

James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) Being a poor example isn't grounds for impeachment, undermining the rule of law is. Impeachment is one of the checks the Framers gave the Congress to prevent the Executive, or the Judicial branches from becoming corrupt or tyrannical. What is [at issue] here is the truth and the rule of law.

Howard Coble (R-NC) Oliver Wendell Holmes said, Sin has many tools, but the lie is the handle that fits them all.' And the centerpiece to this scenario, I am convinced, is indeed the lie. It is the handle to the tool. And if we turn a blind eye to perjury in this instance, what precedent do we establish when subsequent cases involving perjury must be resolved fairly and impartially?

Elton Gallegly (R-CA) A society without law is anarchy. Societies that ignore the law are condemned to violence and chaos. I believe in the rule of law. This President violated the Constitution. To condone this would be to condemn our society to anarchy. Mr. Chairman, I cannot, and will not, condone such action.

Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) Implicit in that idea

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