Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Harold Donohue (D - Massachusetts). The time of the gentleman from California has expired. The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Butler, for 3 3/4 minutes. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Thank you Mr. Chairman. I requested this time because I share with many members of this committee concern about the question that has been raised. And rather than address myself to some of the arguments I think I will use my chief resource person on the subject of Cambodia, the gentlelady from New York, if she would help me for a moment. The references were made to the Members of the Congress which were aware of these bombings and I would ask you if you would us what the testimony is with reference to that. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). Well, I thank the gentleman. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Please understand that I am not asking for an argument. You know Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). I understand. I thank the gentleman for his kind words and I will try to be of assistance. There is apparently some testimony that the following persons according to the Defense Department, were given information about the bombing, Senator Russell Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Well, now Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). I would just list the names. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). What was Senator Russell's capacity at that moment? Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). He was chairman of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). All right. Thank you. And next? Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). He is now deceased. Senator Dirksen, who is now deceased, was the minority leader according to the Defense Department. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). I understand that. Thank you. You are not vouching for these. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). Senator Stennis, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, says that he does not remember being advised of the massiveness of the bombing. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). But the Defense Department did testify that Senator Stennis was aware of it? Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). Yes. He said that he did not recall specific briefing and certainly does not remember being advised of the massiveness of the bombing. That is not a quote.
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Who else does your list have? Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). Representative Arends, ranking Republican, Armed Services, cannot remember being told but in might have been. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). But the testimony of the Department of Defense was that Representative Arends was advised of it, yes. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). That is their statement, yes. And Representative Rivers, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the House, is now deceased. According to the President, Representative Hebert, presently chairman of the Armed Services Committee of the House. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Thank you. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). But if I could - Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Did Mr. Kissinger also testify to the effect that selected Members of the Congress had been informed of the, bombing, strikes? Elizabeth Holtzman (D-New York). I am unaware of whether or not he testified to this but I think that the testimony of the persons is unclear as to exactly what they were informed with respect to the bombing.
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). I thank the lady, the gentlelady. I would ask our staff resource person here. Your name is? J. Stephen Walker. J Stephen Walker. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Mr. Walker. Does your information indicate that any other persons in the leadership of the Congress were advised of this? J. Stephen Walker. We have indication that Dr. Morgan in the House of Representatives was advised. Mr. Mahon in the House of Representatives was advised. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). Mr. Ford? J. Stephen Walker. And Mr. Ford was advised. And it should be also noted that there has not been a single individual who has definitively contradicted the representations that these selected members were advised. Recollection of the details varies from member to member.
Impeachment Hearings. House Judiciary Committee, July 30, 1974. Cambodia Bombing Article of Impeachment
Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). All right. Now, does your research into this matter indicate that any limitations were placed on the membership of Congress as to whether they could or should or not pass this information on or anything of that nature? J. Stephen Walker. We have no evidence whatsoever as to that condition. Caldwell Butler (R-Virginia). I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, I think the evidence indicates pretty clearly that the Congress through its leadership was kept advised of these incidents and that if the Congress through its leadership failed to pass it on that is a responsibility the Congress must share with the President. We can't impeach ourselves, yet.