Dornan Assails Clinton, Draws a Reprimand

Combative Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) got an unusually sharp reprimand Wednesday from the new Republican-controlled Congress for angrily charging that President Clinton “gave aid and comfort to the enemy during the Vietnam War.”

Acting on complaints from Democrats, House GOP leaders stripped Dornan of his non-voting House floor privileges for 24 hours. It was the first time in 21 years that such privileges were suspended for a member of Congress, according to House records.

Dornan said that he was offended Tuesday night because Clinton had invited Marine Corps Medal of Honor winner Jack Lucas of Hattiesburg, Miss., to sit next to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during the President’s State of the Union Address. Lucas threw himself on a hand grenade to save fellow soldiers during World War II.

Dornan boiled over when he reached the House floor Wednesday.

Dornan told the chamber that Clinton had “avoided the draft three times and put teen-agers in his place” during the Vietnam War. “Clinton gave aid and comfort to the enemy during the Vietnam War,” Dornan said.

The comments drew a swift response.

“I think the gentleman from California owes the entire institution, the Congress and the President an apology,” said Rep. Vic Fazio (D-West Sacramento), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. “We have to have a respect for the person who is our commander in chief.”

“Hell no,” Dornan fired back. “Hell no.”

But Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), who was presiding over the House at the time, ordered Dornan’s remarks stricken from the official record. After consulting with the House parliamentarian, Duncan also ordered the congressman’s non-voting privileges suspended for 24 hours--barring him from returning to the floor except to cast a vote.