Lott Hopes Sex Scandal Won't Distract Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said Friday the sex allegations against President Clinton could be a "distraction" for the White House but he hoped that Congress would stay focused on its legislative agenda.
The Mississippi Republican told reporters he thought Clinton should give the State of the Union address as scheduled next Tuesday, but asked whether he personally believed the allegations of adultery and possible obstruction of justice he said, "I don't think I should comment on that."
In comments after a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce outlining his agenda for the coming year, Lott said the scandal was a legal matter for the White House.
"I assume it is a distraction for the White House because they have to respond to inquiries," he said. But he noted, "The president has proven in the past that he can continue to work on important international and national issues while there are other things going on."
Lott said he was not going to focus on the president's legal problems."I think it's very important for us in the Congress to focus on doing our job."
He did not allude to the growing scandal in his speech, except to note that Democrats might have trouble getting momentum for health care reform proposals because of "distractions."
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