December 9, 1998

The Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee today proposed this censure resolution to the panel as an alternate to voting out articles of impeachment.

It is the Sense of the Congress that –

          On January 20, 1993, William Jefferson Clinton took the oath, prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, faithfully to execute the Office of President; implicit in that oath is the obligation that the President set an example of high moral standards and conduct himself in a manner that fosters respect for the truth; and William Jefferson Clinton has egregiously failed in this obligation, and through his actions has violated the trust of the American people, lessened their esteem for the office of President and dishonored the office which they have entrusted to him,

Be it resolved That:

1. The President made false statements concerning his reprehensible conduct with a subordinate;

2. The President wrongly took steps to delay discovery of the truth;

3. No person is above the law, and the President remains subject to criminal and civil penalties, for this conduct;

4. William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, by his conduct has brought upon himself and fully deserves the censure and condemnation of the American people and the Congress; and by his signature on this Joint Resolution, the President acknowledges this censure.