Constitutional Crisis - Maybe But for a Different Reason than is Being Promoted
You may have read or heard of the raid on Congressman Jefferson's (Dem, LA) office in the Sam Rayburn building. Much has been said by several Congressmen of both parties about how this violates the Constitution. The passage to which they refer,
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
-- US Constitution, Article I, Section 6
doesn't mention their offices nor does it exempt them from anything. The crime under investigation is a felony, the search (under warrant) didn't stop Congressman Jefferson from attending any votes or debates and the search was not conducted in the Capitol building. As I understand it, the House of Representatives wasn't even in session!
It seems to me that the most vocal opponents are those congressmen (and women) who might just have committed like crimes. They perhaps thought they had a sanctuary for their records of their crimes. Perhaps not, perhaps worse than mere legal maneuvering, these people think they are a cut above other citizens. Now THAT is scary. That these people think that by virtue of their ELECTED position they are privileged in comparison to the other citizens of this country beyond what is permitted in the Constitution.
By the way, if you don't understand why these limited protections are provided it is so that our representatives can't be stopped from voting or speaking/influencing votes in either the Senate or House of Representatives for minor offenses but they aren't exempt from charges that demonstrate their disregard for the country! Now doesn't Mr. Jefferson's accepting of bribes from a foreign national to promote his view in the House meet that standard?
So, it seems to me that the "constitutional crisis" is whether or not our elected representatives will be able to sell our government unimpeded.
