Video: 'Bill Clinton Impeachment Trial: Senate Results (February 12, 1999)'

(Friday, February 12, 1999, 12:39 p.m. EST; during the Impeachment of Bill Clinton) — The Senate today acquitted U.S. President Bill Clinton on two articles of impeachment, falling short of even a majority vote on either of the charges against him: perjury and obstruction of justice.

After a harrowing year of scandal and investigation, the five-week-long Senate trial of the President — only the second in the 210-year history of the Republic — culminated shortly after noon when the roll calls began that would determine Clinton’s fate.

“Is respondent William Jefferson Clinton guilty or not guilty?” asked Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, in his gold-striped black robe. In a hushed chamber, with senators standing one by one to pronounce Clinton “guilty” or “not guilty,” the Senate rejected the charge of perjury, 55 to 45, with 10 Republicans voting against conviction.

It then split 50-50 on a second article accusing Clinton of obstruction of justice in concealing his affair with Monica S. Lewinsky. Five Republicans broke ranks on the obstruction-of-justice charge. No Democrats voted to convict on either charge, and it would have taken a dozen of them, and all 55 Republicans, to reach the two-thirds majority of 67 senators required for conviction.

Chief Justice Rehnquist announced the acquittal of the nation’s 42nd President at 12:39 p.m. “It is therefore ordered and adjudged that the said William Jefferson Clinton be, and he hereby is, acquitted of the charges in the said articles,” he said. Almost immediately, the mood in the Senate lightened.

As required by the Senate’s impeachment rules, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright was formally notified of the Senate’s judgment.

Clinton responded by once again declaring himself “profoundly sorry” for his actions and words that had thrown the nation into a 13-month ordeal. “Now I ask all Americans, and I hope all Americans here in Washington and throughout our land, will re-dedicate ourselves to the work of serving our nation and building our future together,” he said in a brief appearance in the White House Rose Garden.

Video: 'Remarks on Conclusion of Senate Impeachment Trial Results'

Video: 'USA: Reactions After Clinton's Aquittal - 1999'