Fighting to the finish

Senators debate next step

WASHINGTON - In a weekend that ran the gamut of partisan emotion, the Senate concluded hearing arguments on the articles of impeachment and moved in earnest to a discussion of what comes next.

From the halls of the Capitol to the airwaves of national talkshows, senators debated the merits of the case and the need for witnesses. Each senator is allowed 10 minutes to speak on the motions, which will probably cause the votes on dismissal and witnesses to be pushed to tomorrow.

If neither passes, a vote on the articles could come this week.

Triggered by the announcement that Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.V.), the Senate's foremost Constitutional scholar, will offer a motion to dismiss, senators from both parties have begun to crystallize their positions on dismissal, witnesses and a final vote on the articles of impeachment.

Senators spanning the aisle agreed that Byrd's choice lends the motion more weight, as he is a highly respected member who early in the process actually spoke out against the president.

In his statement concerning the motion to dismiss, Byrd said that while he believes the president "has weakened the already fragile public trust that has been placed in his care," he is "convinced that the necessary two-thirds for conviction are not there and that they are not likely to develop."

Byrd "understands that we are in danger of demeaning the United States Senate," Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) said after the dismissal motion was announced.

The idea drew immediate fire from the Republican leadership. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.)

01-25-99