Bryan, Reid attend state dinner at White House

Bryan and Reid, both Democrats, said nothing happened at Monday's dinner that compromised their views on the impeachment issue. They were among seven senators attending the dinner, which honored Carlos Menem, president of Argentina.

"Nothing that occurred there, in any way in my view, compromised us or bore any question on impeachment," Bryan said.

Reid agreed, saying it was important for members of the legislative branch to attend the dinner.

"We are jurors in the sense of an impeachment proceeding, not a criminal trial," Reid said. "The business of government must go forward."

Reid said he did not know why he and Bryan were invited, though Reid's son, Rory, lived in Argentina for two years as a Mormon missionary.

White House spokesman Roger Salazar said the Nevadans were invited "because we wanted to make sure they had an opportunity to attend a state dinner." It was the first such event for both senators.

Bryan and Reid noted that a Republican, Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, also attended. The other senators included four Democrats - Sens. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.; Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and Timothy Johnson, D-S.D.

Rep. Peter T. King, R-N.Y., one of five Republicans who voted against impeachment last month in the House, and Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., also were among the 170 guests.

Although they are sitting in judgment of Clinton, both Nevada senators said they did not hesitate to accept the invitation.

"State dinners are held frequently in Washington, and the timing is not unusual at all," Bryan said.

Bryan and Reid have not said how they will vote in the impeachment trial, but both have voiced support for a censure.

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