Backlash hell, how about obstruction of justice!
The New York Times
Wednesday, September 16, 1998 By DAVID STOUT
WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the House committee that will weigh possible impeachment charges against President Clinton promised swift action Tuesday against any efforts to use smear tactics to intimidate committee members.
Referring to rumors that some Clinton supporters may be trying to gather embarrassing personal information about members of the House Judiciary Committee, the chairman, Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., said the panel would refer any accusations of wrongdoing to the Justice Department.
Any effort to intimidate members of Congress or interfere with them in an impeachment proceeding could constitute a federal crime and be punishable by up to five years in prison, Hyde, warned committee members in a memorandum.
"I request that you immediately notify me if you learn of any activity or information relating to this concern," Hyde wrote.
The Judiciary Committee, made up of 21 Republicans and 16 Democrats, is about to consider whether the accusations against the president arising from his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky are grounds for impeachment.
Kenneth Starr, the Whitewater independent counsel who has been investigating the Lewinsky matter, filed a report with Congress asserting that there was "substantial and credible" evidence that Clinton perjured himself, obstructed justice and misused his office in trying to thwart the investigation.
Hyde's committee will decide if there is a basis for a full impeachment inquiry. If the committee decides that there is, and the full House agrees, hearings would be held and the House would vote on whether to approve articles of impeachment. A "yes" vote by a simple House majority would bring a Senate trial, where a two-thirds majority would be required to convict and remove the president.
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