Barnes & Nobleinfoseekad

Home
AllPolitics

 

 Home
 Analysis
 TIME
 CQ
 Community

The Jones Case
 Introduction
 Legal Issues
 Documents
 Characters

Related Stories

Judge Orders Jones Case Record Unsealed, Barring Appeal - June 30, 1998

Jones Appeal Difficult, But Not Impossible - April 16, 1998

Jones Will Appeal, Sources Say - April 16, 1998

Jones Set To Meet With Her Attorneys - April 15, 1998


Documents

Key legal documents from the case.


Voter's Voice

We've received a ton of e-mail on Paula Jones' lawsuit, and here's some of it. Or join an online discussion on our community page.


Changing Look

Paula Jones has changed lawyers, personal advisors and even her looks. Check out the changes with a JavaScript-enabled browser.


Related Sites

Court TV Online - Jones v. Clinton

Paula Jones Legal Fund Web site

Education and Information Project Web site -- Clinton defense site by James Carville

Full Text Of Jones' Original Complaint


Search


  Help

Congressional Reaction Split Along Party Lines

Democrats applaud decision; GOP says Clinton's troubles not over

graphic

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 1) -- Congressional Democrats applauded the dismissal Wednesday of Paula Jones' sexual harassment case, calling it an end to a "witch hunt." But Republicans say President Bill Clinton's troubles are far from over despite Judge Susan Webber Wright's decision.

"I still think President Clinton may have some real problems because he testified under oath. There is a real question of perjury and obstruction of justice," said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Nickles (R-Okla.).

Democrats said the federal judge's dismissal of the case vindicates Clinton, and they called on independent counsel Ken Starr to end his investigation of the president.

Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) said he hopes Starr will now "conclude his work, write his report, submit the findings to the Congress so we can reach our judgment along with the American people."

"It was Kenneth Starr's choice to build his case upon the foundation of the Paula Jones case. That foundation no longer exists," he said.

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said, "Judge Wright's dismissal of the suit against President Clinton should now be the final word on what has become an unprecedented partisan witch hunt of one of the most popular and successful presidents of the 20th century."

Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.) also applauded the dismissal of the Jones case. "We have a system of checks and balances and the law has worked. I am very pleased that we will now have the chance to get back the people's business," she said.

Starr said he will press forward with his criminal investigation. And Republicans say the dismissal of the Jones case is a short-term political victory for a president who still faces tough legal questions.

"We lose sight of the fact that this is a lawsuit under specific statutes, and that certain activities have to constitute a violation under those statutes," said Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who headed last year's Senate investigation of alleged campaign finance violations in Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign.

Although it was partially sparked by the Jones case, Starr's investigation "gets to the question of obstruction of justice and perjury and suborning perjury," said Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).

"If he committed perjury, even about sexual allegations, I mean that is an important matter," Lott said.

The Jones lawsuit sparked the White House sex scandal after her lawyers turned up allegations that Clinton had an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and urged her to lie under oath in the civil suit.

Clinton denied having a sexual relationship with Lewinsky or asking her to lie. Starr has asked a grand jury to determine if the Lewinsky matter involved perjury or obstruction of justice -- criminal charges that could fuel a congressional drive for impeachment.

"(The ruling is) certainly not going to have any effect on the inquiry of impeachment," said Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.), who introduced a motion to impeach Clinton last year.

But Democrats said the decision should force Starr to shut down his lengthy investigation.

"If the Congress has any sense now, it will put an end to this and move on with the business that the American people care about," Conyers said.

Democrats said Starr will be hard pressed to pursue Clinton on a perjury charge taken from a dismissed legal case.

"This is the beginning of the end," said Moseley-Braun.

Reuters contributed to this report.

In Other News

Wednesday April 1, 1998

Judge Tosses Out Jones' Lawsuit
Jones Decision Raises Questions About Starr Probe
Congressional Reaction Split Along Party Lines
Judge: Jones' Case A Legal Strike Out
'Filegate' Depositions Sought From White House Aides
House Approves $218.3 Billion Highway Bill
Proposed West Virginia Highway Under Fire
White House Supports News Media's Request
Clinton's Attorney 'A Street Fighter'
Starr Investigation Costs Just Shy of $30 Million
White House To Announce Grants To Combat Youth Drunken Driving

Poll:
Most Americans Support Judge's Decision On Jones' Lawsuit

Profile:
Judge In Jones' Case Known for Sticking to the Law

Transcript:
Mike McCurry Reacts To Judge's Ruling


Archives   |   CQ News   |   TIME On Politics   |   Search   |   Feedback   |   Help

Copyright © 1998 AllPolitics All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this information is provided to you.
Who we are.