Partisan politics skew justice in Congress

House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) believes there is enough evidence to justify a formal investigation into President Clinton's impeachment.

Since the House of Representatives must decide if impeachment charges are to be brought against the president, the decision made by the committee will determine if the process will end now, or if it is only the beginning.

Yet this committee is not immune to partisan politics, as is seen by Hyde's statements regarding its role in the impeachment process.

Although he said "This is not an issue that we will relish," he more recently disclosed that he would support an inquiry even if the panel's 16 Democrats vote against it.

Moreover, he added that a vote against moving forward could be seen as an act of political cowardice.

Hyde also asked a fellow Republican, Charles Canady, to begin holding hearings in his subcommittee on what is an impeachable offense for a president.

Hyde said he's trying to be fair, but supporting an inquiry without knowing what constitutes and impeachable offense may lead to another Starr-type search-and-destroy mission.