English/Nat
A divided U-S House of Representatives has authorised a wide-ranging impeachment inquiry into the Lewinsky sex scandal.
U-S President Bill Clinton responded by saying he would continue doing his job regardless and called for a timely conclusion to the investigation.
He becomes only the third president in history to face the threat of being removed from office.
As expected, the U-S House of Representatives decided to go ahead and impeach the president over the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Responding to the news, U-S President Bill Clinton was eager to give the impression it was business as usual at the White House.
He told reporters the matter was not in his control.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"First of all I hope that we can all move forward with this process in a way that is fair that is constitutional and that is timely and the American people have been through a lot on this and I think that everyone deserves that. Beyond that I have nothing to say, it is not in my hands, it is in the hands of congress and the people of this country and ultimately in the hands of God. There is nothing I can do but there are things I can do something about and the most important thing I can do now is work in the next few days to reach across party lines to do the work we have to do here."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President
Many of Clinton's staunchest allies had tried to fight the impeachment process.
But their efforts failed, as the House voted for impeachment.
This was despite a Democratic alternative that would have limited the scope of the inquiry and set a December 31 deadline.
It would also have asked that the Judiciary Committee first consider the historical standards for impeachment before deciding Clinton's fate.
But, President Clinton was clearly resigned to a Republican victory.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Personally, I'm fine I have surrendered to this. This is beyond my control...I have to work on what I can do. What I can do is to do my job for the American people. I trust the American people, they almost always get it right. They have for two-hundred and twenty
years. And I'm working in a way that I hope will restore their trust in me by working for the things that our country needs, these things we are going to discuss at this budget meeting. That is what I can have some impact on and that is what I intend to do."
SUPER CAPTION: US President, Bill Clinton
After more than two hours of debate, the U-S House of Representatives voted.
Democrats tried in vain to limit the probe to the Monica Lewinsky matter, and to finish it by the end of the year.
But in the end, the investigation was approved with 31 Democrats joining majority Republicans.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The time having expired, the yeas are 258. The nays are 176. The resolution is agreed to. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. "
SUPER CAPTION: Rep. Newt Gingrich, Republican, Speaker of the House
Republicans rejected Democratic arguments that Clinton's attempt to conceal an affair with Ms. Lewinsky was not impeachable conduct.
They said the issue was not sexual conduct but lying under oath.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"To leave him sitting there is to undermine the very judiciary system we have; it is to convey the message that perjury is okay, certainly at least perjury in certain matters and under certain circumstances. It is not okay, it is a very serious crime. "
SUPER CAPTION: Rep. Bill McCollum, Republican, Florida
Democrats, at times passionate, protested that debate over such a grave issue was limited to two hours.
They applauded defiant criticism of the inquiry and warned of voter backlash.
Their anger reinforced the partisan bitterness that has pervaded the process
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SOUNDBITE: (English)
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