For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 15, 1998
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on the Impeachment Process
"AFSCME members from across the country have become increasingly more concerned by the mean-spirited, deeply unfair and highly partisan efforts by certain House Republican leaders to impeach the President. It is clear that this process is motivated not by what is in the best interest of the country, but is intended solely to destroy this President.
"Union members are like most Americans in that they have become convinced that the impeachment process has become a highly partisan campaign on the part of the U.S. House of Representatives -- despite Chairman Hyde’s promise that these proceedings would be conducted in a fair and bipartisan manner. Instead of trying to impeach the President, the House of Representatives would be better focused on moving forward on such issues as preserving and protecting Social Security, improving the educational system, or reform of health care, such as a meaningful Patients’ Bill of Rights.
"It is time for the leaders of the Congress to follow the will of the American public, who have voted overwhelmingly for this President and his policies. The impeachment process should be reserved for bribery, treason and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Clearly, the President’s personal and private transgressions do not fall into this category.
"Impeachment of the President on the basis of charges that do not rise to such a high level will forever poison the political atmosphere of this country and cripple efforts to forge a bipartisan relationship on Capitol Hill to address the real concerns and needs of the American people."
