In fact, the credibility of a major witness relied upon by the majority was never tested in our committee. At an appropriate stage of the proceedings that credibility will of necessity be assessed with the credibility of all witnesses in light of all the other evidence. That never happened. Mr. Schippers further charges the president with abuse of power. In committee I arranged the following questions to Mr. Ruff, the president's lawyer.
Abuse of power requires the use of power.
This did not occur. That is what the independent counsel would have you believe. It is preposterous and it short- changes the intelligence and perceptiveness of the American people. Now, let me briefly note the process in which we've engaged in since the referral was sent to this committee in September 1998. There've been, including today, under 10 hearings by this committee that would decide the fate of this nation.