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Voting along party lines, the senators adopted a Republican proposal to depose witnesses in the impeachment trial, a plan that could allow the videotaped interviews to be publicly broadcast. The GOP-crafted proposal calls for depositions to be taken next week from the three witnesses--former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky, presidential confidant Vernon E. Jordan Jr. and senior White House aide Sidney Blumenthal--and could bring an end to the trial as soon as Feb. 12.
The 54-44 vote came after Republicans rejected a Democratic proposal for taking depositions that would have banned public release of the videotapes. Democrats said they feared that widespread broadcast of Lewinsky’s testimony could stain the dignity of the Senate and further embarass President Clinton.
Republicans agreed to give Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) joint authority to decide whether to call additional witnesses. For Daschle, that veto authority could prove crucial if House prosecutors seek to expand the case later based on evidence uncovered during the depositions.
TODAY’S PROCEEDINGS
No debate or action is scheduled for today. The trial is scheduled to resume next Thursday after the depositions have been taken.
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