111th Congress, 2nd Session
Vice President Spiro Agnew’s impeachment request
September 26, 1973
On this date, Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma denied Vice President Spiro Agnew’s request to commence an impeachment investigation into charges that he had received bribes from construction companies while serving as Governor of Maryland and as Vice President. Though odd, Agnew’s appeal had precedent: in 1826 Vice President John C. Calhoun had asked for and secured a House impeachment inquiry when he faced bribery charges. Agnew hoped that a House investigation would clear his name. After deliberating with House Democratic leaders and Parliamentarian Lewis Deschler, Speaker Albert declined. The Vice President’s request “relates to matters before the courts,” Albert determined. “In view of that fact I, as speaker, will not take any action . . . at this time.” Representative Bella Abzug of New York agreed, noting that the House needed to focus on whether or not President Richard M. Nixon committed impeachable crimes related to the Watergate break-in. On October 10, 1973, Agnew resigned the Vice Presidency and, as part of a bargain, pled guilty to falsifying federal tax returns.
Related Highlight Subjects
Cite this Highlight
Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=59, (December 08, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
Subscribe to E-mail Updates
Sign up for monthly e-mail updates on House art and history.
Speaker Carl Albert, a Rhodes Scholar, served 30 years in the House of Representatives.
Collection of U.S. House of Representatives
Teaching Tip
Wielding the Gavel
Ask students to locate three stories pertaining to Speakers of the House. Have students select and conduct research on one of the Speakers using historical highlights and the Biographical Directory bibliography.
