Posted on 05/11/2014 8:07:02 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Boehner: House won't arrest Lerner
By Russell Berman - 05/11/14 10:53 AM EDT
The House has held Lois Lerner in contempt, but it wont use its power to place the former IRS official under arrest, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said on Sunday.
Under a precedent affirmed by the Supreme Court, each chamber of Congress can authorize its sergeant-at-arms to detain individuals it holds in contempt. But Boehner said on "Fox News Sunday" that he has no interest in doing that with Lerner, whom the House last week voted to hold in contempt over her refusal to testify about her role in the IRSs targeting of conservative groups.
Im not sure we want to go down that path, Boehner said. Its never been used, he said of the provision allowing Congress to arrest individuals and place them in the Capitol jail. The Senate has in fact used that power, but not in the last 80 years. Im not sure that its an appropriate way to go about this, Boehner said.
The contempt charge has been referred to the Justice Department, and Boehner said it is up to Attorney General Eric Holder to prosecute Lerner.
Now will he do it? We dont know, but the ball is in his court, Boehner said.
The U.S. attorneys office in Washington has said it is reviewing the referral. Lerner has repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, but the House contends she waived that right by defending herself in an opening statement at a House hearing last year before she refused to answer questions from lawmakers.
Just when I don’t think Boner could say anything stupider, he does.
Hasn’t Holder already been held in contempt of Congress?
It seems to me he’s the one who should be arrested.
Exactly!!!
However twisted, immoral and socialist the Democrat party is, at least their base is confident that they have elected people who are not afraid to DO SOMETHING.
The conservatives in this country are stuck with the party of strongly worded letters, surrender, capitulation and raw steaks held to the eye.
The kids that get’s his lunch money stolen from the school bully every day knows that he is morally straight, but that is little consultation when he goes hungry every day. Until he stands up and fights back, he is just a victim and a sucker.
I’m so sick of getting beat up on the playground
No surprise here. This the same Boner that presides over a GOP-e contingent that voted to continue funding OBAMACARE. America does NOT have two political parties.
Not that anything else is expected of either Congress, Boehner, or Holder. No, Holder won’t prosecute Lerner anymore than Congress will detain her—only difference is Boehner is un-motivated because of fear, Holder is motivated because he perceives he is in control.
Revolt is coming.
Add the motivation for Holder of loving evil.
Color me surprised, right?
Not at all, with a speeding ticket you actually face a penalty.
The fact that he "don't know" that the arch-criminal running DOJ will piss on the contempt charge is the reason he won't be SOTH for much longer.
Americans are fed up with the lawlessness in DC and failure to hold the political class accountable for criminal activity.
No consequences for wrongdoing means more wrongdoing.....
Does anybody know when was the last time the house ordered someone held and actually did it?
Why am I not surprised? This guy is worthless, gutless, and ball-less. What a major, huge disappointment.
Unlike so many here that were sooooo excited over this contempt vote......it got a big yawn out of me. I knew it would mean nothing.
Now watch the committee hearings on Benghazi. Its all just red meat. Yawn.
How nice for Lerner.
She had no problem threatening ordinary Americans with arrest, huge fines, jail and even violence if they did not cooperate.
She tried to bankrupt them with legal demands, entrap them with arcane rules, and investigate the smallest aspect of their lives.
But Boner is worried about looking mean and maybe upsetting women.
Ask the Engelbrechts how they feel about that.
-- Abraham Lincoln (and others)
A Boner with no balls.
When dealing with people who terrorize the American public, you need to keep all options on the table.
Wuss.
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