BY NAFTALI BENDAVID
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - With the bitter but predictable fight in the Judiciary Committee concluded, the House of Representatives will plunge into a frenzied impeachment battle this week with an uncertain outcome that will shape the legacy of the Clinton presidency.
Over the next tense few days, the roughly 30 House Republicans who are still undecided on impeachment will face unrelenting pressure, each of their votes the subject of frantic lobbying. Top White House officials, and perhaps President Clinton himself, will make uncounted phone calls. Interest groups on all sides will marshal their members to bombard Capitol Hill with e-mails, calls and letters.
The real action will begin Wednesday, when the 435 House members return to Capitol Hill to consider an action the House has taken only once before, and not for 130 years. House leaders summoned members scattered around the country and even overseas, and Democrats are even making arrangements for a military medical transport plane for Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who is confined to bed recovering from hip surgery at home in California.
Upon arrival, each lawmaker will receive a copy of a report from the Judiciary Committee explaining the basis for the impeachment charges. A minority report from the Democrats will be included also, making the case against removing the president.
Republicans and Democrats will meet separately Wednesday afternoon to be briefed by their leaders and to plot strategy. Although the debate on impeachment will not come until Thursday, Wednesday will be a crucial day for each side to solidify its base and solicit votes from the opposition.
"Wednesday might be the most important day in this whole matter," said one House staffer. "There has been a lot of talk in the press about the momentum going to and fro, but we won't be able to gauge the votes until people are back in town."
The House will convene Thursday morning to decide Mr. Clinton's fate. For all the gravity and historical impact of the debate, House members expect to wrap it up and vote on the same day, though they do not rule out extending it through Friday.
For 41 defeated or retiring members, this will be their final, perhaps most memorable, House vote.
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