STATEMENT BY SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN
On the Vote by the House of Representatives
to Impeach President Clinton

“Today is a dark day for our nation.

"At the very time the United States is raining missiles on Iraq, the House of Representatives has impeached the President of the United States, the Commander in Chief, in an unfair and partisan manner.

“For me, the unfairness of the process has been apparent since the release of evidence to the public even before the Judiciary Committee’s deliberations began. This was reinforced when the Independent Counsel, rather than presenting the evidence to the Committee in a fair and impartial manner, advocated for impeachment.

“But the most unfair aspect of this impeachment process has been the denial of rights to the minority (Democrats). On this issue of manifest importance, both in Committee and on the floor this morning, the minority was denied the opportunity to present a censure resolution.

“Despite the fact that censure was the view of the majority of Americans, the House leadership saw fit to deny a vote. This reinforced my view of extraordinary partisanship and unfairness.

“While there have been some calls for the President to resign, I do not believe he should do so.

“Now that the issue is coming to the Senate for trial, I will do all I can to see that the process is fair and nonpartisan.”

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