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H.Res. 611·105th Congress·House Resolution

Impeaching William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Stage not supplied

The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.

Latest action (12 Feb 1999): The Senate adjudges that William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, is not guilty as charged in the second Article of Impeachment. By Yea-Nay Vote. 50-50. Record Vote No: 18. (Record vote link to left is automatically generated and leads to an unrelated vote in the 105th Congress. Here is the <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00018">106th</a> Senate vote on the second Article of Impeachment.)

What this bill does

H.Res. 611, agreed to by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, formally impeached President William Jefferson Clinton, charging him with "high crimes and misdemeanors" and directing that two articles of impeachment be presented to the Senate for trial. Article I alleged that Clinton provided perjurious, false, and misleading testimony to a federal grand jury on August 17, 1998, regarding his relationship with a government employee, prior testimony in a related civil lawsuit, statements made by his attorney, and efforts to influence witnesses. Article II alleged that Clinton obstructed justice by engaging in a scheme to delay, conceal, and impede evidence and testimony in that civil rights lawsuit, including encouraging false affidavits and testimony, concealing subpoenaed evidence, helping secure employment for a witness, and making misleading statements to potential witnesses and to a federal judge.

The resolution directly concerns President Clinton, who was formally accused of misconduct related to a civil lawsuit and grand jury proceedings. Its passage also affected the House of Representatives' constitutional role in initiating impeachment and set in motion proceedings in the Senate.

As a simple House resolution, H.Res. 611 required no Senate or presidential action to take effect; the House's vote to impeach completed its legislative process. Its adoption triggered a subsequent Senate impeachment trial, which is a separate constitutional process not addressed by this resolution itself.

Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.

Official summary

Sets forth four articles impeaching William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Article I: States that in his conduct while President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the judicial process of the United States for his personal gain and exoneration, impeding the administration of justice, in that William Jefferson Clinton swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before a Federal grand jury of the United States. States that contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury. Article II: States that in his conduct while President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the judicial process of the United States for his personal gain and exoneration, impeding the administration of justice in that William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony as part of a Federal civil rights action brought against him. Article III: States that in his conduct while President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has prevented, obstructed, and impeded the administration of justice, and has to that end engaged personally, and through his subordinates and agents, in a course of conduct or scheme designed to delay, impede, cover up, and conceal the existence of evidence and testimony related to a Federal civil rights action brought against him in a duly instituted judicial proceeding. Article IV: States that using the powers and influence of the office of President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in disregard of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has engaged in conduct that resulted in misuse and abuse of his high office, impaired the due and proper administration of justice and the conduct of lawful inquiries, and contravened the authority of the legislative branch and the truth seeking purpose of a coordinate investigative proceeding, in that, as President, William Jefferson Clinton refused and failed to respond to certain written requests for admission and willfully made perjurious, false, and misleading sworn statements in response to certain written requests for admission propounded to him as part of the impeachment inquiry authorized by the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States. States that William Jefferson Clinton, in refusing and failing to respond and in making perjurious, false and misleading statements, assumed to himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the sole power of impeachment vested by the Constitution in the House of Representatives and exhibited contempt for the inquiry. States, with reference to each article of impeachment, that: (1) in so doing, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States; and (2) William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.

Timeline

  1. 12 Feb 1999

    The Senate adjudges that William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, is not guilty as charged in the second Article of Impeachment. By Yea-Nay Vote. 50-50. Record Vote No: 18. (Record vote link to left is automatically generated and leads to an unrelated vote in the 105th Congress. Here is the <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00018">106th</a> Senate vote on the second Article of Impeachment.)

Common questions

What does H.Res. 611 do?
H.Res. 611, agreed to by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, formally impeached President William Jefferson Clinton, charging him with "high crimes and misdemeanors" and directing that two articles of impeachment be presented to the Senate for trial. Article I alleged that Clinton provided perjurious, false, and misleading testimony to a federal grand jury on August 17, 1998, regarding his relationship with a government employee, prior testimony in a related civil lawsuit, statements made by his attorney, and efforts to influence witnesses. Article II alleged that Clinton obstructed justice by engaging in a scheme to delay, conceal, and impede evidence and testimony in that civil rights lawsuit, including encouraging false affidavits and testimony, concealing subpoenaed evidence, helping secure employment for a witness, and making misleading statements to potential witnesses and to a federal judge. The resolution directly concerns President Clinton, who was formally accused of misconduct related to a civil lawsuit and grand jury proceedings. Its passage also affected the House of Representatives' constitutional role in initiating impeachment and set in motion proceedings in the Senate. As a simple House resolution, H.Res. 611 required no Senate or presidential action to take effect; the House's vote to impeach completed its legislative process. Its adoption triggered a subsequent Senate impeachment trial, which is a separate constitutional process not addressed by this resolution itself.
Has H.Res. 611 become law?
The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.Res. 611. Check the latest action and official source below.
Who sponsored H.Res. 611?
H.Res. 611 was sponsored by Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6] (R-IL), with 0 cosponsors.
What's the latest action on H.Res. 611?
The Senate adjudges that William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, is not guilty as charged in the second Article of Impeachment. By Yea-Nay Vote. 50-50. Record Vote No: 18. (Record vote link to left is automatically generated and leads to an unrelated vote in the 105th Congress. Here is the <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00018">106th</a> Senate vote on the second Article of Impeachment.) (12 Feb 1999).

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