[Political Junkie Too]

Philbin alluded to this earlier when he mentioned the speech and debate clause in the Constitution in reference to possibly calling Schiff as a witness.

The speech and debate clause Article I Section 6: "... and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place."

During the discussion on whether going to the courts to exert executive privilege was obstruction, Philbin said what about having the courts rule on the speech and debate clause if Adam Schiff were called as a witness?

Philbin was suggesting that Adam Schiff would say (as I have, too) that the speech and debate clause would protect Schiff from having to answer for anything he said as a Congressman in the House. He would surely go to court to prevent being called as a witness in the Senate, using the speech and debate clause as his reason to block witness requests.

-PJ

[Freee-dame]

Thanks

[nomorelurker]

Would we then have a conflict between the speech and debate clause and the right of the Senate to conduct the impeachment trial as it sees fit? Would the question be decided by, Senate, CJ Roberts presiding, or whole Supreme Court?

[Engedi]

says speech or debate but surely they can be called to testify in Grand Jury yes or no?

Testifying is different then giving a speech or debating an issue I would think