Raid On Jeffersons Office Prompts Hearing

CNSnews ~~ The Nation ^ | May 25, 2006 | Susan Jones

[Cindy_Cin]

Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said his committee will hold an oversight hearing next week on constitutional questions raised by the FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson's congressional office last Saturday night.

"Members of Congress must follow the law and be held accountable just like everyone else. By no means, should Rep. Jefferson's alleged conduct be condoned, but there is a constitutional way for justice to be served. The FBI's unprecedented Saturday night raid of Rep. Jefferson's Capitol Hill office raises profoundly disturbing constitutional questions that must be addressed," Sensenbrenner said in a press release.

The oversight hearing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, is entitled, "Reckless Justice: Did the Saturday Night Raid of Congress Trample the Constitution?"

[ol painless]

I think most of them congresscritters are just nervous about the FBI finding the stash in their own offices. I bet there has been a power shortage in Washington over the last few days from all the paper shredders running.

[RichInOC]

"Members of Congress must follow the law and be held accountable just like everyone else. By no means, should Rep. Jefferson's alleged conduct be condoned, but there is a constitutional way for justice to be served."

Absolutely...and that way is: You guys make the laws, the FBI enforces the laws, and you stay out of their way. Simple, no?

[Prysson]

Horse crap and a pile of it. NOTHING in the constitution gives congressman protection from prosecution and investigation of crimes.

[FreePaul]

I'd like to see the section of the Constitution which states that Congressional offices are a sanctuary for continuing criminal enterprise. We all know that many are used that way but I don't believe that there are any provisions (other than rules imposed by congress) protecting that criminal activity.

[FreedomNeocon]

Tom Delay is accused of some kind of vague conspiracy by a Prosecutor with a bad history, on the 5th grand jury, on no evidence and will be lucky not to go to jail himself.

The result: Tom Delay leaves his leadership position in 'media disgrace' and later retires.

Jefferson, after all of the HIGHLY questionable shenanigans in new Orleans, is busted taking 100k in bribes ON TAPE, and later found to have 90k of it stuck in his office freezer.

The result: Concerns of separation of powers, and the right of the 'executive' to raid a congress-critter's office after he has been taped taking bribes.


So pathetically typical....

[Edgerunner]

"The American people are fed up with the corruption. They are fed up with congressmen who are only out for themselves. They are fed up with earmarks and all the spending. And they are fed up with the unwillingness of Congress to deal with actual problems of the country," Boehm concluded.

AMEN

[The Red Zone]

Were they deaf?

[Cindy_Cin]

FreedomNeocon::: The worst part is the way the GOP leaders ran to Defend Jefferson. I'm so fed up with our bumbling, appease the Democrats, so called Republican "leaders"

[FreedomNeocon]

Yeah anyway... it should be... 'interesting'... to see how they think they can get away with this attitude anytime, let alone when approval in the low 20s or high teens.

[verity]

"that Congressional offices are a sanctuary"

Each one will soon be declared a church confessional.

[Cindy_Cin]

Uh OH~!! If there is even a hint of Religion in Congressional Offices.....The ACLU will shut them down

[FreedomNeocon]

CASE 1
Tom Delay (R) is accused of some kind of vague conspiracy by a Prosecutor with a bad history, on the 5th grand jury, with no evidence and who will be lucky not to go to jail himself.

The result: Tom Delay leaves his leadership position in 'media disgrace' and later retires.

---

CASE 2
William Jefferson (D), after all of the HIGHLY questionable shenanigans in new Orleans, is busted taking 100k in bribes ON TAPE, and later found to have 90k of it stuck in his office freezer.

The Result: Concerns of separation of powers, and the right of the 'executive' to raid a congress-critter's office after he has been taped taking bribes.

---

---

So pathetically typical....

[Doc Hunter]

I am so tired of our Congress Critters holding hearings about non-issues. No one is above the law. As far as breaking a two hundred year old tradition, too bad, so sad. Article !, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States empowers Congresss to set the rules for Naturaization regarding immigration. I, for one, am waiting for something positive to happen. They have failed to fund the border patrol to enforce the laws that are on the books and they have failed to review the processes they have set up to update them. Disgusted in Southern Illinois

[verity]

Hobson's choice: FBI ot ACLU. LMAO.

[SoFloFreeper]

I agree.

Funny how the Congress, after threatening to delve into every aspect of the Executive branch's work--have suddenly discovered the separation of powers.

Frankly, I don't care if the crook is in the judicial or executive or legislature...root 'em out.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Depends upon what Constitution they are speaking of I suppose. The United States Constitution says NOTHING about Congressional offices being a sanctuary for criminals. Congressmen are only immune from arrest during a session or traveling to and fro for crimes not involving Treason, Felony or Breach of the Peace. Hence, virtually every RAT is fair game since most are either crooks committing felonies or outright Traitors.

[justshutupandtakeit]

This is not a case of defending RATs but a reflection of concerns about separation of powers. While this is a mistaken view it has nothing to do with "appeasing" anyone.
Of course, so many here live to attack the GOP that they twist everything into their view of the world.

[wyattearp]

Sounds like they want Diplomatic Immunity. Considering the way they behave, they might well be representing another country.

[justshutupandtakeit]

The constitution provides for Congressional oversight of the Executive. If you don't like that amend the Constitution.