To debate now or later?

WASHINGTON - In a rare parliamentary conference, Republicans andDemocrats faced off late Thursday afternoon on the House floor andstaked out their positions on the schedule for impeachment.

Democrats, in arguing for delay, left open the possibility thathostilities in Iraq could extend so long this month that the Housewould have to revisit the issue in the next Congress. Republicans,however, were vehement that the issue must be decided in the currentCongress, in which they hold five more House seats.

Some GOP lawmakers also acknowledged a desire to go home forthe holidays.Separately, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) pulledback Thursday from his sharp criticism of President Clinton, sayinghe never meant to question Clinton's motives in bombing Iraq andurging a "united front" of support for U.S. forces."Once the decision is made and the action is under way, yousupport it," Lott said.House Democrats objected to the scheduled debate on grounds thatAmerican forces were in danger in skies over Iraq."We strongly object to this matter coming up tomorrow or thenext day, or any day in which our young men and women in the militaryare in harm's way," House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) said."There's no way to know when the troops will have completedtheir mission," countered Livingston. "We cannot refrain fromadvancing the people's business on this critical issue."In the partisan argument over when to debate the president'simpeachment, many lawmakers spoke of their service in the armedforces during difficult times in Washington.Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), a Korean War veteran,described the turmoil when President Truman removed Gen. DouglasMacArthur as commander of U.S. forces, a decision he said sharplylowered the morale of his unit, which ultimately suffered 90 percentcasualties."Look at the hypocrisy involved here," Rangel said. "You cannotcome to the floor of the House today and laud the president and themen and women of the military and then, when the sun goes down,impeach him. That is higher crimes and misdemeanors."House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) said: "As thesetroops are engaged now, they have a right to know the work of thenation goes forward."But Gephardt said: "We believe we've also got to look at howSaddam Hussein will perceive this, that we are having a debate in ourHouse of Representatives to remove our commander in chief."