THE CONGRESS: The Fateful Vote to Impeach

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the Congressmen and Congresswomen dispelled any fears of their Capitol Hill colleagues that they might disgrace the national legislature in this first televised debate and decision of a congressional committee. The tone of solemnity and historic significance was established by the chairman.

"Throughout all of the painstaking proceedings of this committee," said Rodino in his thin voice, "I as the chairman have been guided by a simple principle, the principle that the law must deal fairly with every man. For me, this is the oldest principle of democracy. It is this simple but great principle which enables man to live justly and in decency in a free society ... Make no mistake about it. This is a turning point whatever we decide. Our judgment is not concerned with an individual but with a system of constitutional government... Whatever we now decide, we must have the integrity and the decency, the will and the courage to decide rightly. Let us leave the Constitution as unimpaired for our children as our predecessors left it to us."

In opening statements ranging up to 15 minutes, the members one after another expressed their individual anguish over the decision they faced. Burdened by the problem of party loyalty, the Republicans suffered most. Declared Cohen: "I have been faced with the terrible responsibility of assessing the conduct of a President that I voted for, believed to be the best man to lead this country, who has made significant and lasting contributions toward securing peace in this country, throughout the world, but a President who in the process by actor acquiescence allowed the rule of law and the Constitution to slip under the boots of indifference and arrogance and abuse."

"How distasteful this proceeding is for me," protested Virginia's assertively fast-talking Butler, explaining that he had worked with Nixon in every one of the President's national elections, "and I would not be here today if it were not for our joint effort in 1972." Wistfully, Illinois' troubled and emotional Railsback sought escape. "I wish the President could do something to absolve himself," he said. Even New Jersey's Charles Sandman abandoned his brawling manner to explain: "For the first time in my life I have to judge a Republican, a man who holds the most powerful office in the world ... This is the most important thing I shall ever do in my whole life, and I know it."

To New York Democrat Charles Rangel, the occasion had a positive side. "Some say this is a sad day in America's history," he said. "I think it could perhaps be one of our brightest days. It could be really a test of the strength of our Constitution, because what I think it means to most Americans is that when this or any other President violates his sacred oath of office, the people are not left helpless."

Although some tried to keep their opening statements neutral, most revealed their position on impeachment right off, and at first there were few surprises. Wisconsin's Democrat Robert Kastenmeier contended that "President Nixon's conduct in office is a case history of the abuse of presidential power." New York Democrat Elizabeth Holtzman detected "a seamless web of misconduct so serious that it leaves me shaken." Texan Brooks claimed that the committee