The Senate Republicans also indicated Thursday that prospects were dimming for a proposal that would conclude Clinton committed wrongdoing without removing him from office. They would like to vote on that before the actual articles of impeachment. The way out is to vote 'guilty' or 'not guilty' and live with it. Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, the Democratic minority leader, said the Democrats were drafting a proposal to censure Clinton and expected to have it completed in a day or so. The two articles of impeachment under consideration charge the president with grand jury perjury and obstruction of justice.
Critics argue there is no constitutional alternative to conviction and removal.
Republican senators also sent Clinton a letter, asking him to submit voluntarily to a sworn deposition to answer questions in the case. The president already has said he would not do either. Court TV's Catherine Heins and The Associated Press contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved.