Senator Craig Thomas (Republican - Wyoming) Voting Record -- Impeachment Trial of William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton

Statement Taken From U.S. Senate Web Site February 25, 1999

Thomas - Press Release - The Impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton U.S. Senator Craig Thomas

Contact: Dan Kunsman 202-224-6441

February 12, 1999

The following is a statement from U.S. Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) regarding his vote to convict President William Jefferson Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice:

The Impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton U.S. Senator Craig Thomas

Next week our nation will honor the memory of one of the greatest presidents America has ever known as we celebrate the 190th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. The deeds and words of President Lincoln remind us of the awesome power of the Presidency and the ability of one man to truly embody the highest standards and aspirations of a nation. His example is that of courage and integrity.

In sharp contrast to this annual observance is the conclusion of the Senate trial to impeach President William Jefferson Clinton, where I will cast my votes to convict President Clinton on the two articles of impeachment. The Office of the President of the United States should now and forever be reserved for only those Americans who uphold the law and put the interests of the country ahead of self.

Lincoln took the course he was charged with -- preserving the Union so that it could live on. Similarly, the Senate has also taken a course it was obligated to take under the Constitution -- preserving the rule of law.

At trial's start, I pledged to do impartial justice. After a full examination of the evidence introduced in the month long trial, my mind has been cleared of any doubt that both perjury and obstruction of justice took place. The President gave false and misleading testimony before a grand jury. He obstructed justice by tampering with witnesses, helping to conceal evidence and trying to delay the proceedings of a civil case brought by an American citizen. The House Mangers effectively showed that the President should be held to the same standards as other public officials.

After finding clear and convincing evidence to substantiate the impeachment articles, I sought additional answers to the following questions: Do perjury and obstruction of justice by the President subvert the structure of government? Do they constitute an abuse or violation of some public trust? And if so, does it rise to the level of High Crimes and Misdemeanors?

My answer to these questions is yes.

The President is at the helm of the executive Branch of the government which is charged with enforcing the law. What use is it for the Congress to make the law and the Courts to interpret the law, if the President does not enforce it? We must bring the power of the three branches of government back into balance. Otherwise it is a threat to the structure of the government. Similarly, the law should be applied to each citizen equally. Otherwise it is a breach of the public trust. Clearly, the public good is served by removing this President.

This trial was not about punishing the President for a personal relationship most find inappropriate. Instead it is about charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and a violation of the oath to uphold the rule of law. The central purpose of impeachment under the Constitution is not to punish an individual for wrongdoing but to protect the country from a federal official's detrimental influence by removing him or her from power.

Neither was the trial a partisan attempt to overturn an election. We replace the unfit officer of one party with a proper one from the same party.

Many of my colleagues do not dispute the facts presented at the trial and agree that the behavior of the President has been not only despicable but unlawful. I disagree with my colleagues who say that although the President committed a crime, he should not be removed from office because the penalty is too high. The Constitution only provides one method of dealing with an unlawful President -- impeachment and conviction which means automatic removal.

The Senate trial is unlike a regular court of law with two phases - conviction then a move to sentencing. This Senate trial has only one phase. Conviction automatically requires a removal.

The trial conducted by the Senate was fair to all parties, true to the Constitution and expeditious in accordance with the wishes of the American people who want the Congress to move on. I am confident that history will judge the trial as proper and fair and will realize the actions of the Senate helped guide our nation safely through this trial.

This will surely be the most difficult vote of my career in voting to remove the President who has brought disrepute on the office of the Presidency. I am mindful of the sentiments of President Lincoln when addressing Union troops in 1864. He said, "I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has." We must heed his words as we preserve the White House as a place for only those of the highest standards and lawful conduct.

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Last updated: March 02, 1999; Version: 1.3