Commit to Fairness

With the exception of declaring war, Congress has no more exacting constitutional responsibility than considering whether to remove a president from office through impeachment. Only twice in our history, once in the last century and once in this, has that solemn process been pursued.

In the first case, Andrew Johnson escaped conviction in the Senate in 1868 by a single vote. In the second, Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 after the House Judiciary Committee referred three articles of impeachment to the full House for a vote.

Now, once again, the Judiciary Committee is preparing to consider whether articles of impeachment against a president are warranted. Now, once again, it becomes Congress’ duty to make sure that fairness and a sense of national accountability prevail over partisanship.

On Wednesday an encouraging start was made. Hours before the House received special prosecutor Kenneth W. Starr’s report on potentially impeachable offenses committed by President Clinton, its leaders agreed that any impeachment inquiry would be conducted fairly and objectively. Politicians make promises easily. This is one commitment the American people must insist be kept. The fate of a president is at stake, but so also is the integrity of the political process.

Those who will sit in judgment on Clinton and who believe that his conduct has disgraced the presidency must take care that their own anger or zeal for political gain does not disgrace Congress.

Impeachment is an ill-defined process. It is left to Congress to determine what are the “high crimes and misdemeanors” with which a president can be charged. The process itself can be prolonged; Johnson’s shamefully politicized Senate trial lasted nearly 10 weeks.

Congress plans to adjourn on Oct. 9 so its members can campaign for the November elections. Some lawmakers want adjournment postponed or Congress to return immediately after the elections, arguing that resolving the impeachment issue is the most important business facing the nation. They’re right, but this messy and dispiriting matter seems destined to remain unresolved for months. And meanwhile the insistent day-to-day demands of governance--and of global leadership--will continue to face a preoccupied president and his demoralized administration.