Articles of Impeachment of Bill Clinton

On October 5, 1998, the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives approved a resolution recommending an impeachment inquiry of President Bill Clinton. After debating the committee's four Articles of Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton (for perjury, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power), the House approved two and sent them to the Senate on December 19, 1998.

Clinton’s impeachment trial was rooted in the scandal concerning his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Lewinsky, an intern who worked for a brief time at the White House, was subpoenaed to testify in the sexual harassment lawsuit brought against the president by Paula Jones. Rumors had been circulating in the media of a sexual relationship between Clinton and Lewinsky. Clinton denied the relationship under oath. Article I charged the president with “corrupt” dealings with the grand jury, thus undermining the “integrity of his office.” Article II accused Clinton of obstructing justice by making false statements and by attempting to influence the testimony of others. An impeachment trial began in the Senate on January 7, 1999, and ended on February 12, 1999, with the president's acquittal.