Transcript of Speech of Rep. Nancy Pelosi on December 18, 1998 during the impeachment proceedings for then President Bill Clinton:

Today the republican majority is not judging the President Clinton with fairness, but impeaching him with the vengeance.

In the investigation of the President, fundamental principles which Americans hold dear, privacy, fairness, checks and balances have been seriously violated.

And why?

As we are here today, because the republicans in the House [of Representatives] are paralyzed with hatred of President Clinton. And until the republicans free themselves of this hatred our country will suffer.

I rise to oppose these unfair motions, which call for removal of the President of the United States from office, and in doing so wish to point out some differences between the investigation of the president and the investigation of Newt Gingrich.

The first principal of the investigation of Newt Gingrich was, that at the moment we found exculpatory information it will be reported immediately to the accused and be made public.

The independent counsel knew that the President was exonerated Travel Gate, White Water and File Gate and he held that information until the hearing, indeed after the election.

This was not fair, indeed it is the responsibility of any prosecutor to immediately release information that is exculpatory.