Sue Hartigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Gingrich Ponders Impeachment Panel > WASHINGTON (AP) -- Speaker Newt Gingrich's idea for a > special House committee to conduct any impeachment > inquiry against President Clinton is drawing opposition > from GOP members of the panel that historically has > handled such matters. > > Such a plan ``would be widely viewed as an unprecedented > and unprincipled act of partisanship,'' Rep. Charles > Canady, R-Fla., wrote Gingrich in a letter Canady's > office made public today. > > ``The creation of a `select committee' would be attacked > as an attempt to stack the deck and politicize a process > that should be carried out in a judicious and objective > manner,'' Canady said. > > Canady is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the > panel that has handled impeachment issues in the past, > most notably the proceedings against then-President > Nixon in 1974. The Florida lawmaker added that the > panel's role in impeachment ``is understood and > respected by the American people.'' > > Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill, chairman of the House Judiciary > Committee, has also privately registered his objections > to a special committee, according to GOP sources who > spoke on condition of anonymity. They said Hyde had > outlined objections to Gingrich that were similar to the > concerns Canady raised in his letter. > > Hyde's memo to Gingrich was said to outline options for > conducting any probe. And while creation of a special > committee was one of the options listed, one source said > Hyde made it clear he thinks little of it. > > The Chicago Tribune reported today Hyde's note to > Gingrich said the idea would divide Republicans and > politicize the impeachment process. > > Creation of a special panel would require GOP leaders to > seek funding from the full House. And in his letter, > Canady wrote he would ``consider it a matter of > principle to vigorously oppose any such effort.'' > > Gingrich's office said Monday that the speaker was > considering the idea of naming a special committee to > handle any proceedings that might arise from independent > counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation of Clinton. > > ``This is a passing idea and no decisions have been > made,'' said Gingrich's spokeswoman, Christina Martin. > > Officials had said previously that any evidence of > potentially impeachable offenses would be turned over to > Hyde's committee after Starr submits his material to > lawmakers. -- May the leprechauns be near you to spread luck along your way. And may all the Irish angels smile upon you this St. Patrick's Day. Subscribe/Unsubscribe, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the body of the message enter: subscribe/unsubscribe law-issues
