Contact: Matt Lloyd, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, press office, 202-226-4379

WASHINGTON, July 25 /Standard Newswire/ -- U.S. Congressman Mike Pence gave the following statement at the House Judiciary Committee's hearing on "Executive Power and Its Constitutional Limitations," on July 25, 2008:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I note that this hearing is entitled "Executive Power and Its Constitutional Limitations." I accept the Chairman's assurance that it was not his intention to convene a hearing on impeachment.  However, many here and looking in are anxious to debate whether the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, should be impeached.  Therefore, I will address myself to that issue.

"We have heard already from the distinguished Ranking Member the arguments against having this hearing and I cannot add to those arguments.  These types of hearings take us far down the road of the criminalization of American politics, and I regret that this esteemed committee is taking an issue as important as impeachment and using it to score partisan political points.  

"Putting those objections aside, I see absolutely no credible basis for impeachment of President Bush. 

"The Constitution provides in Article II, Section 4 that 'The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.'

"Certainly, the President has not been accused of treason or bribery, so that leaves high crimes and misdemeanors.

"The gentleman from Ohio, Representative Dennis Kucinich, knows of my respect for him, and I appreciate his passion and focus.  But on impeachment, I just believe he is dead wrong on his reading of the Constitution and the facts. 

"In his testimony today, Professor Presser has provided us with an exhaustive overview of what the Framers of the Constitution intended by the phrase 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors.' Taking cues from the Framers in the Federalist Papers, the English common law, and the text of the Constitution, Professor Presser sets forth the belief of the Framers that the President must have put his personal interests above the Constitution and the laws of the nation, thereby violating his oath of office. 

"Of course, the Constitution provides the House of Representatives with the sole Power of Impeachment (Article I, Section 2, Clause 5).  But that does not mean we should act without regard to the Framers' intent, or frankly, our own good judgment and discretion.

"So, I start by looking at whether the President has violated his Oath of Office, specifically by putting his personal interests above those of the country, or by committing other acts obviously criminal, such as lying under oath.

"President Bush is a man of integrity, and I believe he has led this nation with distinction.  Many in this room have not agreed with the President on every one of his policy decisions.  I am one of those Members.  As late as Wednesday of this week in this very room I disagreed with the Administration.  But disagreements on policy with any President or Administration do not, and must not, in and of themselves give rise to impeachment. 

"The Framers did not intend impeachment as a political device to be used whenever the majority party in Congress is unhappy with the President and wants to be rid of him.  The bar is much higher than that. 

"President Bush has, in my view, conducted himself throughout his tenure in a manner that is consistent with his Oath of Office.  And let me say emphatically, from that dreadful day in September 2001 to this, I believe President George W. Bush has consistently put the interests of the American people above his own.

"The issues up for discussion based on today's hearing include -- alleged improper politicization of the Justice Department, alleged misuse of executive branch authority, and alleged misuse of authority in denying Congress and the American people the ability to oversee and scrutinize conduct within the administration.

"There is no evidence in these allegations of the President putting his personal interests above those of the nation.  There is no evidence in these allegations of the President violating his Oath of Office.  There is no evidence that I have seen emerge from the multitude of hearings and investigations on the President and Administration that have taken place throughout the 110th Congress, which shows the existence of a high crime or misdemeanor.  In short, there has been no high crime or misdemeanor committed and there should be no impeachment of President George W. Bush."