Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 26, 1974 (1/2)
[00.13.31] *See information in RIGHTS field before using* [LEHRER, DUKE in studio, LEHRER standing at "scoreboard" with small square photos of each member arranged in groups by predicted vote] LEHRER asks LEWIS and DUKE what would happen if these scenarios pan out, speculating it would lead to a 25-13 vote for impeachment on the SARBANES article. DUKE says that regardless of the combinations, a majority will favor. One interesting thing, is that the 7 southerners on the committee all but one favor the impeachment, excepting Republican Rep. LOTT. LEHRER says the swing of Rep. MANN (D-SC) is critical DUKE notes that at the start of the proceedings, there were about 12 undecided or uncommitted votes, and almost all of those have gone to the PRO-IMPEACHMENT side. LEHRER adds that in terms of debate, not votes, that the REPUBLICANS who are already on record against impeachment are the ones leading a fight to make articles more SPECIFIC. [Points to Rep. SANDMAN'S photo] DUKE calls the "die cast" inside the committee, although the conclusion is in doubt as to when it will be finished. Impeachment resolution to get to HOUSE FLOOR approx, mid-August, for a likely 1-2 week period of debate. DUKE says there was action at the FEDERAL COURT, following SUPREME COURT ORDER for White House to turn WHITE HOUSE TAPES over to SPECIAL PROSECUTOR JAWORSKI. White HOuse has pledged compliance, but not followed through yet. Introduces White House correspondent Chris GAUL to comment. GAUL says that the tapes have been promised by the next Tuesday, with rest as speedily as possible.. Says that there was a hearing with Judge Sirica requested by JAWORSKI to force a timetable for the surrender of tapes. Sirica instead chose to force an agreement between JAWORSKI AND ST. CLAIR, NIXON'S attorney, resulting in deal for 20 initial tapes, ruling by the Judge on remaining tapes, LEHRER asks what the possibilities are of the tapes ending up with the Judiciary Committee, the House, or the Senate as evidence for impeachment GAUL says this was not discussed. LEHRER mentions a press conference in Calif. wherein a NIXON admin official claimed no intention of turning tapes over to the judiciary committee. Was subject of a delay vote that failed, GAUL says that the judiciary committee's expectation to get the tapes fast is unrealistic, DUKE says that many members feel the President should not be given any more time to turn over remaining tapes, that it's totally clear the President is not going to be forthcoming GAUL says that the implication that the withheld conversations may be "missing" some of the key parts was advanced by St. Clair, citing tapes running out or "mechanical failure". LEHRER says it's key to point out that the 64 tapes subpoenaed by JAWORSKI were for use in the Watergate OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE trial, 63 of those under subpoena by Judiciary Committee, with the Judiciary Committee subpoenaing another large batch of tapes DUKE says it may be a propitious time to mention a newly surfaced tape which indicates that NIXON threatened to fire Secretary of Treasury Schultz if he resisted the IRS enemies plan. LEHRER mentions the story, says that to anyone's knowledge, the judiciary committee does not have that tape yet. LEHRER says that the IRS figures in the process at a later time when the ABUSE OF POWER ARTICLE is debated. Today's debate is on OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. [00.25.02]