[NeonKnight]

How about that one? Seems to me the Executive and the Judiciary are NOT authorized to punish a Congresscritter for disorderly behavior.

Simply states that the House and Senate may punish their members. Does NOT state that the judiciary cannot.

[muawiyah]

Says Congress can do it. It doesn't say anywhere else in the Constitution that a member ~ get that word "member" ~ that's why they have to kick them out first ~ may be punished by any other party.

This clause PREEMPTS the Executive and Judiciary. Now, concerning Commander in Chief, maybe not, particularly if the member is a rebel or something. Presumably even a militia member could shoot one.

Lots and lots of these more obscure Constitutional clauses were exercised (and with that much better understood) as the Confederates left the Congress way back when.

Good to read about what Congress did then.

[muawiyah]

One last thing ~ should answer all your questions ~ the primary organization principle behind our federal system is that the national government (which is usually referred to as the federal government) may do only those things for which it is authorized in the Constitution.

The Congress is authorized to "punish members". It is un-necessary to further elaborate on that.

Now, get back to that ground glass, and don't grind it too fine. We want some real blood here.