Chapter 6: Congress
4/5/99

After Newt Gingrich's sudden announcement of his resignation from the Speaker of the House, Bob Livingston (R-La) appeared to be the heir-apparent for the position. However, Livingston made a shocking statement that he was withdrawing from the race to be Speaker due to the imminent public disclosure of certain marital infidelities. This set the stage for Dennis Hastert (R-Il) to be chosen for Speaker of the House, who is third in line in presidential succession and perhaps the most important position in the current Congress. To find out more about Speaker Hastert, go to The Official Home Page of House Speaker Denny Hastert.

1/14/99

On the second day of impeachment hearings for President Clinton before the full House of Representatives, Representative Bob Livingston (La.) made a shocking statement to the House and the nation. He called on President Clinton to resign and then stated he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the Speaker-elect position and was going to resign his House seat in six months. This statement followed Livingston's public admission a day earlier to 'marital infidelities'. Many argued that Livingston was setting a moral example for what President Clinton should do. Others contended that Livingston's support for the Speaker position was seriously eroded by his admission to multiple extramarital affairs.

Livingston's announcement came less than two months after the current Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, stated that he would not seek the Speaker's position for the new Congress and he would give up his House seat. Less than two weeks before the new Congress comes into session considerable uncertainty exists as to who will hold the most powerful position in the House of Representatives. This also means no one is quite sure who will hold the position that is third in line for presidential succession.

For more information about recent events concerning the leadership of Congress go to the Washington Post: Leadership in Congress web site.

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