Official details FBI-Congress standoff

Associated Press ^ | May. 27, 2006 | DEB RIECHMANN

[aimhigh]

I've never seen a better argument for Congressional term limits.

[Dubya]

House leaders acknowledged Friday that FBI agents with a court-issued warrant can legally search a congressman's office, but they said they want procedures established.

[FreePaul]

We can impose term limits in just a little over five months. Right now I'm for sending them all home permanently. If any can change my mind I'll give them some consideration.

[tet68]

The House threatened budgetary retaliation against the Justice Department.

The crime of the century and no one cares.

[JoanneSD]

Looks like congress critters could have the same procedures that Joe six pack would get, if it were warranted..

[bnelson44]

procedures? Is that like, giving them notice before the fact?

[jazusamo]

I've been asking for several days about a thread here from the 23rd that the House General Council had copies of the subpoenaed (sp?) info for several weeks and refused to turn them over to the FBI. It seems to me that if they'd turned it over, this whole dust up could have been avoided.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1636999/posts

[kenth]

How else will Congressmen have time to remove evidence if they aren't afforded certain, ahem, "procedures"?

[FlingWingFlyer]

Dittos!

[Robe]

What kind of "Procedures"?
Procedures that I as a Citizen would not be entitled to?
Is not this President obstructing Justice by sealing these documents?
Would he seal documents taken from MY home under a warrant?

This is really pissing me off !!!! If it weren't for the records and archives I like to take a torch to the Dam place and run 'em all out of town on a rail

[Wolfie]

Everybody wants term limits....for somebody else's Congressman.

[kcvl]

Until last Saturday night, no such warrant had ever been used to search a lawmaker's office in the 219-year history of the Congress.

No wonder we have so damn many crooks in Congress. They make the laws for the rest of us not to include themselves.

[Perdogg]

yea, like heads up so they can move the evidence. This is Bull***

The Burger court has already weighed in on this:

"The prosecution of appellee is not prohibited by the Speech or Debate Clause. Although that provision protects Members of Congress from inquiry into legislative acts or the motivation for performance of such acts, United States v. Johnson, 383 U.S. 169, 185, it does not protect all conduct relating to the legislative process. Since, in this case, prosecution of the bribery charges does not necessitate inquiry into legislative acts or motivation, the District Court erred in holding that the Speech or Debate Clause required dismissal of the indictment. Pp. 507-529."

[Robe]

Thank you for posting this... if you could find this ( It leaves no question nor room for debate ) why can't our #$@ing president?????

[Laverne]

I agree, Hastert and Pelosi should be cited for obstruction of justice -- threatening to stop an investigation by pulling funds from the justice department. The hissy fits thrown by these individuals (and I will include Frist, Gingrich, and Lott in that crowd) demonstrates that have NO leadership skills. How dare they put themselves above the law and telegraph to the american people that they are "special"! Jefferson ignored the subpoena for months; if a rule is to be established it should be that a congressman who ignores a valid subpoena should be expelled from the congress.

[Iam1ru1-2]

'Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., an eight-term lawmaker being investigated on bribery allegations."

ALLEGATIONS!!! He was caught red-handed. That's why this "unprecedented" warrant was granted BY THE COURT!!

But the spineless elephants of Congress will bend over once again and take it like a "man" as they have been doing for over 5 years. Why is it that when "conservatives" reach the federal level of gov't, they go limp, wrist and all?

[Bommer]

House leaders acknowledged Friday that FBI agents with a court-issued warrant can legally search a congressman's office, but they said they want procedures established.

And here are Hasserts new rules:

1) 24 hours advance notice so members can delete all hard drives of child porn!

2) FBI can only search in areas members say they can!

3) Cops must allow erratic and wrong way driving at 3 am if a member is drunk and late for a vote!

4) The woman in the car is always the Congressman's wife....even if there are 3 of them

5) Bigamy is legal to members of Congress!

6) Hookers count as interns!

7) Any white powdery lines on desks or mirrors are always considered to be anthrax!

8) Spare cash in freezers found in a Congressman office is to be left alone! He is guarding it while the lock in the Social Security lock box is being fixed!

9) Anyone with bad hair does not have to prove they are a member of Congress, and can punch cops!

10) Late night three-some sessions of Congress are not to be interpreted (see rules 4 and 6)

[LaineyDee]

procedures? Is that like, giving them notice before the fact?

Yea....you know....enough advance notice so they can clean the place out and find a new freezer to stash the cash.

[savedbygrace]

The House was threatening to go after the Justice Department's budget

Who, exactly, made those threats, I wonder? Hastert?