On Feb. 6, 1974, the House of Representatives considered a historic question: Should it authorize an investigation that might lead to the impeachment of President Richard M. Nixon? House Judiciary Committee Chairman Peter Rodino (D-N.J.) argued for the initiation of a probe under his committee’s purview. “We are going to work expeditiously and fairly,” he told his colleagues. “When we have completed our inquiry, whatever the result, we will make our recommendations to the House. We will do so as soon as we can, consistent with principles of fairness and completeness.” When the resolution to launch the inquiry came to...