Clinton Impeached: Second President Faces Senate Trial

The United States Senate opened its impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton on January 7, 1999, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Clinton became only the second president in American history to be impeached by the House of Representatives, after Andrew Johnson in 1868. The charges arose from Clinton's testimony before a grand jury investigating whether he had lied under oath during a deposition in Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit. The specific allegation was that Clinton had denied having a sexual relationship with 22-year-old White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a denial contradicted by physical evidence and Lewinsky's own testimony. Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr submitted a report to the House containing what it called "substantial and credible information" of impeachable offenses. The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to recommend impeachment. On the House floor, debate was more contested. Two articles passed: one for perjury, one for obstruction. Both passed largely along party lines, with a handful of Democrats crossing over. Clinton was represented by the Washington law firm Williams and Connolly. The Senate trial lasted 21 days, presided over by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. On February 12, 1999, the Senate voted. The perjury charge failed 55-45 for acquittal. The obstruction charge split 50-50. Neither came close to the two-thirds majority required for removal. No Democrat voted guilty on either count. Only a handful of Republicans voted not guilty. Clinton finished his second term. His approval rating at the time of the trial was 73 percent.