Democratic Rep. Vic Fazio, who has represented Vacaville, Dixon and the rest of the 3rd Congressional District since 1978, said he wasn't sure if the timing of the impeachment debate will allow him to take his last flight home as a California congressman. Though frustrated by the uncertainty, he said he feels he owes his service to the men and women now in combat. A spokesman said the congressman would not resign, and colleagues offered expressions of support for him to still become the House's next speaker. The sensational disclosure came on the eve of the House's impeachment debate involving the sexual conduct of President Clinton. One after another, Republicans said Livingston's disclosure would have no effect on the House's likely vote to impeach Clinton.
Debate is set to begin today.
Those are extremely different circumstances. Livingston's confession drew gasps and then declarations of support from Republicans at a closed-door caucus. The statement was first disclosed by a Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, on its web site. It was nothing that anyone expected. He accepted responsibility for his conduct and he got a standing ovation.