[Aria]

It is my understanding that the Logan Act does NOT apply to members of Congress.

[JerseyDvl]

I got a different perspective from the WSJ today. This is a good article.

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The Logan Act makes it a felony and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years for any American, “without authority of the United States,” to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government’s behavior on any “disputes or controversies with the United States.” Some background on this statute helps to understand why Ms. Pelosi may be in serious trouble.

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http://opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009908

[rob21]

” Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.”

That’s the Logan Act. There is no exception for members of congress.

[randog]

It is my understanding that the Logan Act does NOT apply to members of Congress.

Here's the text of the law:

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

18 U.S.C. § 953 (2004).

[upchuck]

It is my understanding that the Logan Act does NOT apply to members of Congress.

I've seen that posted several times here.

Do you have a substantiating link?

[CyberAnt]

Yes, mine too .. but according to Rich Galen, the Constitution says that only SENATORS have “advise and consent” granted to them, and HOUSE MEMBERS DO NOT - not even the speaker.

If we had anybody in D.C. with a spine, she would have been handcuffed when she landed back in the USA.

But .. don’t worry .. democrats are NEVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS - CRIMINAL OR NOT!!