During the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton in 1998, Congress conducted oversight through a series of investigative hearings and procedures. The oversight process involved both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
1. House of Representatives:
- The House Judiciary Committee played a pivotal role in overseeing the impeachment process. It conducted inquiries, hearings, and investigations into allegations against President Clinton, particularly focusing on whether he committed perjury and obstruction of justice related to his extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky and subsequent legal proceedings.
- The Judiciary Committee reviewed evidence, heard testimony from witnesses, and deliberated on whether to recommend articles of impeachment to the full House.
2. Articles of Impeachment:
- The Judiciary Committee drafted and approved articles of impeachment based on its findings. These articles outlined specific charges against President Clinton, including perjury, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power.
3. Full House Vote:
- After the Judiciary Committee's recommendation, the entire House of Representatives voted on the articles of impeachment. In December 1998, the House voted largely along party lines, with the majority (Republicans) voting in favor of impeachment on two of the four proposed articles (perjury and obstruction of justice). Clinton became the second U.S. president in history to be impeached by the House.
4. Senate Trial:
- The oversight responsibility shifted to the Senate, which conducted a trial to determine whether to convict and remove President Clinton from office. The House managers, acting as prosecutors, presented their case, and Clinton's defense team argued in his favor.
- The Senate proceedings involved a more formal trial setting presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. A two-thirds majority vote (67 senators) was required for conviction.
5. Senate Vote:
- In February 1999, after a five-week trial, the Senate voted on the articles of impeachment. Neither of the articles received the necessary two-thirds majority to convict Clinton. As a result, he was acquitted and remained in office for the remainder of his term.
Congress exercised its oversight role throughout the impeachment process by examining evidence, holding hearings, drafting articles of impeachment, and conducting votes in both the House and the Senate. Ultimately, the process highlighted the constitutional checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.