Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
[00.57.47] Mr. FLOWERS. Mr. Chairman, parliamentary inquiry. I believe the panel is laboring under what I believe to be the false impression that this substitute will be read in full and open for amendment at any point. The Chair has not made such a ruling and I would suggest that the parliamentary situation--I ought to ask the Chair's ruling if there an amendment proposed, it must, be proposed at the point the proposal would come up, and I do believe the panel is laboring under the impression that the he entire article Will be read and open for amendment any point. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is advised that the substitute is open for amendment at any point,. Mr. FLOWERS. Well, Mr. Chairman. I respectfully suggest that that is the, first time the Chair has ruled that way and if you are saying it is open for amendment as it is being read or it will be read--- The CHAIRMAN. That is correct. Mr. FLOWERS. Well, it, is not open for amendment at any point you reach that point, then, is that, right? The CHAIRMAN. Well, the whole, amendment Or the, whole article would be read, but it would then be amended at any point, open for amendment at any point. Mr. FLOWERS. After 'he reading of the reading of the entire article. The CHAIRMAN. Correct. Mr. FLOWERS. THAT IS the Chair's ruling now? The CHAIRMAN. is the ]ruling Of the Chair. Mr. FLOWERS. I thank the Chair. The CHAIRMAN. The clerk will proceed. The, CLERK. [reading]: Committed illegal entry of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, District of Columbia, for the purpose of securing political intelligence. Subsequent thereto, Richard M. Nixon, using the powers of his high office, made it his policy, and in furtherance of such policy did act directly and personally and through his close subordinates and agents, to delay, impede, and obstruct the investigation of such illegal entry; to cover up, conceal and protect those responsible.; and to conceal the existence and scope of other unlawful covert activities. The means used to implement this policy have included one or more of the following: (1) making false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States; (2) withholding relevant and material evidence or information from lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States; (3) approving, condoning, acquiescing in, and counseling witnesses with respect to the giving of false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States and false or misleading testimony in duly instituted judicial and congressional proceedings; (4) interfering or endeavoring to interfere with the conduct of investigations by the Department of Justice of the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force; (5) approving, condoning., and acquiescing in, the surreptitious payment of substantial sums of money for the purpose of obtaining the silence or influencing, the testimony of witnesses, potential witnesses or individuals who participated in such illegal entry and other illegal activities; (6) endeavoring to misuse the Central Intelligence Agency, an agency of the United States; (7) disseminating information received from officers of the Department of Justice of the United States to subjects of investigations conducted by lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States, for the purpose of aiding and assisting such subjects in their attempts to avoid criminal liability. (8) making false or misleading, public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States into believing that a thorough and complete investigation had been Conducted with respect to allegations of misconduct on the part of personnel of the Executive Branch of the United States and pertinent of the Committee for the Re-election of the President, and that there was no involvement of such personnel in such misconduct; or (9) endeavoring to cause prospective defendants, and individuals duly tried and convicted, to expect favored treatment and consideration in return for their Dee or false testimony, or rewarding individuals for their silence or false testimony. In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted In a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice the cause of law and justice and to, the manifest injury of the people of the United States. Wherefore Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and removal from office. [01.03.45] [cut to Paul DUKE in studio] DUKE explains that Rep. SARBANES' motion was a compromise motion on the OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE question, which Rep. SARBANES will defend in debate. [01.04.01--TAPE OUT]