OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A state Senate resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney was approved by a committee Monday, taking the measure one step further than it went last year.

The resolution by Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, had little support from lawmakers last year, never getting to the Senate floor for a vote. But on Monday, it was approved by the five majority Democrats on the Senate's Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Passing committee is a key hurdle, but does not guarantee that the measure will get a vote on the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has said she doubts the measure will get any time on the Senate floor this year.

More than 80 people attended a testy hearing last week about the resolution, which included a heated exchange between a Republican senator and members of the audience.

During the hearing, Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, accused Oemig of using the resolution for "campaign purposes." That sparked yelling and boos from the audience, to which Roach responded by displaying a picture of her son, who serves in the military.