GALLEGLY SEES UNEASY TASK AHEAD; CONGRESSMAN FEARS EFFECTS OF STARR REPORT.Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer The White House sex scandal will be looming when Congress returns to work after Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. and U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly Elton W. Gallegly (born March 7 1944), an American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, currently representing the 24th District of California (map). said he and a majority of the House Judiciary Committee don't relish being ``in the eye of the storm.'' Outspoken on some issues, such as immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , Gallegly, R-Oxnard, said he prefers to avoid the type of spotlight that will be focused on the 36-member panel when it holds hearings on any report by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. The full House would vote on whether to send articles of impeachment Formal written allegations of the causes that warrant the criminal trial of a public official before a quasi-political court. In cases of Impeachment, involving the president, vice president, or other federal officers, the House of Representatives prepares the articles of to the Senate. ``I'm not convinced that the majority of the people on that committee want to be in the eye of the storm,'' Gallegly said Tuesday during a meeting with Daily News editors and reporters. ``I'm very apprehensive about it only because of the effect it could have on the rest of the country.'' Starr has investigated whether Clinton obstructed justice by preventing lawyers for Paula Jones from obtaining information in her sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. lawsuit. Starr has investigated whether Clinton committed perjury perjury (pûr`jərē), in criminal law, the act of willfully and knowingly stating a falsehood under oath or under affirmation in judicial or administrative proceedings. in a deposition in that lawsuit and whether he urged potential witnesses to lie about his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Gallegly said Starr's report should reach the House Judiciary Committee in two to three weeks, leaving only a few weeks to review it before adjourning for the fall election campaign. Because hearings on any report could take months, Gallegly said an important issue is whether to postpone adjournment A putting off or postponing of proceedings; an ending or dismissal of further business by a court, legislature, or public official—either temporarily or permanently. and stay on to call witnesses and conduct hearings. Further, Gallegly said the report likely must go beyond the sex scandal and deal with the Whitewater land deal and other areas of Starr's probe. Gallegly said impeachment impeachment, formal accusation issued by a legislature against a public official charged with crime or other serious misconduct. In a looser sense the term is sometimes applied also to the trial by the legislature that may follow. is not to be taken lightly, and whether Congress even goes down that road ultimately depends on the American people. ``We're dealing with something that goes far beyond our partisan leanings,'' he said. Gallegly's 23rd District covers most of Ventura County and a portion of eastern Santa Barbara County. What Gallegly said he hears increasingly from residents in his district are sentiments similar to his reaction following Clinton's televised admission Aug. 17 that he had an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky and had misled the public. ``I honestly wanted to believe him,'' Gallegly said. ``He was given a golden chance and I think he blew it. Our president cannot accept responsibility.'' Yet, Gallegly said many of those same residents who question Clinton's behavior might not support impeachment proceedings. He explained the mood as, We've got to get this thing behind us, but at the same time, it's got to be done right.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Rep. Elton Gallegly is awaiting Starr report. David Sprague/Daily News |
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