United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Watergate

The House of Representatives took a leading role in the impeachment investigation of President Richard M. Nixon during the Watergate Scandal in the 1970s. Interviewees recall the highly-publicized Judiciary Committee hearings and reflect on the era’s lasting effects on American government. From press coverage of the committee hearings to the advent of televised House proceedings in 1979, first-hand accounts of the period provide an important resource for understanding the impact of Watergate.

Testifying on the Pardoning of President Richard M. Nixon/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_judiciary_ford_lc.xml Image courtesy of the Library of Congress On October 17, 1974, President Gerald Ford testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the pardoning of former President Richard M. Nixon.

Featured Video

“What Does the Constitution Require?”

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman provides insight on the workings of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation into the Watergate scandal.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 10, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Video

“What Does the Constitution Require?”

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman provides insight on the workings of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation into the Watergate scandal.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 10, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

"I Really Felt As Though I Were in Quicksand"

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman remembers feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the Watergate scandal.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 20, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

"I Never Thought That Women Could Play This Kind of a Role"

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman emphasizes the importance of serving as a woman on the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate investigation.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 10, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Questioning President Ford

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman recalls questioning President Ford on the pardon of Richard Nixon.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 10, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

The System Worked

The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman remembers the work accomplished by the House Judiciary Committee investigating Watergate.
The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded March 10, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

The 18-Minute Gap

Linda Melconian recounts her experience on the House Floor during a pivotal moment in the Watergate investigation.
Linda Melconian, Assistant Counsel and Legislative Assistant, Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O'Neill, Jr., of Massachusetts
Interview recorded June 7, 2018 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Changes During the 94th Congress

Representative Dellums describes the impact of the Watergate scandal on Congress.
The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, U.S. Representative of California
Interview recorded April 19, 2012 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

The Nixon Impeachment Hearings

Background on the decision to hold the Nixon impeachment hearings in the House Judiciary Committee Room in 1974.
Benjamin C. West, Superintendent, Daily Press Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded May 23, 2007 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Audio

"Not In Tune with the Times"

"Not In Tune with the Times"
The Honorable Martha Elizabeth Keys, U.S. Representative of Kansas
The Honorable Martha Elizabeth Keys describes the changing atmosphere in the House during the post-Watergate era and its effect on committee chairmen.
The Honorable Martha Elizabeth Keys, U.S. Representative of Kansas
Interview recorded June 14, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Logistical Arrangements

Logistical Arrangements
Tina Tate, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Overview of the media coverage during the House hearings on Watergate.
Tina Tate, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded July 1, 2008 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Effect of Watergate on Press Coverage

Effect of Watergate on Press Coverage
Tina Tate, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Reflections on changes to committee press coverage following the Watergate hearings.
Tina Tate, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded July 12, 2007 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Preparing for the Media Attention

Preparing for the Media Attention
Mike Michaelson, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Discussion of the necessary preparations for press coverage of the Judiciary Committee hearings.
Mike Michaelson, Director, Radio-TV Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded June 30, 2009 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Upheaval of the Seniority System

Upheaval of the Seniority System
Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Discussion of the Watergate Babies and committee assignments.
Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded April 12, 2006 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Role in History

Role in History
Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Reflections on the significant role of the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate Era.
Donnald K. Anderson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded May 31, 2006 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Images & Artifacts

The House Judiciary Committee
<em>The House Judiciary Committee</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_cmteWA.xml
The Members and Staff of the House Committee on the Judiciary featured in this 1974 image.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman Questions President Gerald Ford
<i>Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman Questions President Gerald Ford</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_holtzman_ford.xml
Representative Elizabeth Holtzman questioned President Gerald Ford about his pardon of President Richard Nixon when he testified before the Judiciary Committee in 1974.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Barbara Jordan
<em>Barbara Jordan</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_jordan.xml
Barbara Jordan of Texas sat on the House Judiciary Committee as a freshman during the Watergate hearings.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Press Coverage
<em>Press Coverage</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_press.xml
Given the high-profile nature of the hearings, a section of the committee room was designated for the press, and included multiple television cameras for the live gavel-to-gavel coverage. In front of the police officer near the rear door stands Mike Michaelson, the former Director of the House Radio-TV Gallery.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Live Coverage
<em>Live Coverage</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_camera.xml
The committee room was set up to allow live gavel to gavel coverage with multiple camera angles. The camera in this photograph is trained on the dais.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Benjamin C. West
<em>Benjamin C. West</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_west.xml
House Daily Press Gallery Superintendent Benjamin C. West, far right, looks on during the proceedings.
Image courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
President Ford Testifies
<em>President Ford Testifies</em>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_watergate_judiciary_ford_lc.xml
On October 17, 1974, President Gerald Ford testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the pardoning of former President Richard M. Nixon.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
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<i>Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman Questions President Gerald Ford</i>;
<em>Barbara Jordan</em>;
<em>Press Coverage</em>;
<em>Live Coverage</em>;
<em>Benjamin C. West</em>;
<em>President Ford Testifies</em>;
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