Nevada congressional delegation comments on Clinton, Starr report

The senators, joined by Cabinet members at the White House, all had defended the president earlier when he denied having a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Reid also said he and other members of Congress must first read Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's 445-page report on the Lewinsky affair before making any decisions on possible action against Clinton.

"The impeachment of a sitting president is not something to be taken lightly," Reid said. "Before we take a step of this magnitude, we must first weigh the facts."

Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he'll vote for impeachment if he learns the president perjured himself during the Starr investigation.

"The principles of the rule of law where no one is above the law is more important than ... whatever we have to go through," said Ensign. "We have to uphold our duties under the Constitution no matter what we think about it."

Ensign, running for Reid's Senate seat this year, also said he'll reserve judgment until he sees the report. But "on the surface it looks bad," he added.

U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., also said he wanted to read the report before commenting on what action, if any, should be taken. He added prompt release of the report is needed. Republicans plan to post it on the Internet on Friday.

"The rumor mill is operating at full tilt," Bryan said. "I think the American people need to know the content of the report and move from that."

U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said, "The impeachment of a sitting president is a very serious matter and partisan politics must not take place in this process."

Gibbons also reserved the right to comment on the report until he is able to review it.

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