Free Republic

**SNIP** More broadly, it has inserted a level of rhetorical uncertainty into one of the core principles defining the responsibilities of members of Congress: whether they serve on behalf of the people from their home state, or whether, once elected, they represent much broader interests. The prosecution, citing Black’s Law Dictionary, argued in a brief filed on Tuesday that “the straightforward answer is that Senator Menendez’s constituents are the New Jerseyans that he was elected to represent in the United States Senate.” But the defense, in a brief that was also filed Tuesday, claimed that the term was significantly amorphous...

In a constituent meeting gone awry that was captured on shaky, amateur video, embattled Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) berated a group of local activists who oppose amnesty legislation, suggesting they were racist and saying they didn't have “any damn facts.” “You're telling me what people have told you? You don't have any damn facts!” Ellmers exploded at one of the activists when he said that employers – who often claim a labor shortage to argue for amnesty – frequently don't post job openings in that region. “Facts – numbers. Facts – documents,” Ellmers lectured, her voice dripping with disdain. She...

Accountable Congress has done amazing work chronicling all the town halls and opportunities to reach out to members of Congress over August. Few groups have performed as well as them in documenting activities. They should serve as a model for every other group out there in getting this data out to Americans. It is very clear that members of Congress, regardless of party, do not want you to know where they will be this August. Well, because of Accountable Congress and groups like FreedomWorks and Tea Party Patriots, we can tell you. Over the next several weeks I’m going to...