First, it was House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issuing a joint statement condeming and calling “unconstitutional” the FBI’s seizure of documents from Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) Congressional office in Washington, DC. Now, we’ve got Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Assistant Senate Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill) taking more measured approaches to the ‘controversy’ - with Frist concluding that after Constitutional research as well as consulting with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales that the FBI ‘acted appropriately’ in the search on Rep. Jefferson’s office and Durbin noting that this incident is not without precedent:
Frist (R-Tenn.) said on “Fox News Sunday” that he had studied the provision in the Constitution regarding the separation of powers, and consulted with Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. He concluded that the FBI acted appropriately when it used a warrant to search the office of a sitting lawmaker for the first time in history.
“I don’t think it abused separation of powers,” Frist said. “I think there’s allegations of criminal activity, and the American people need to have the law enforced.”
[...]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), assistant minority leader, also took a measured view of the raid, questioning whether the “speech and debate” protections in the Constitution were violated, as critics say. “I’m not sure you can stretch it to apply to this situation,” he said. He noted that the action was not without precedent. He said that the FBI has raided the office of a federal judge before, so there is a history of branches of government crossing each other with regard to a search warrant. “In the next several weeks, we ought to take a hard look at it. I’m not going to rule it in or out at this moment.”
Is it possible that could common sense and sanity on this issue Could slowly be being restored in Washington, DC? One can only hope.
Hat tip: Captain Ed
Others blogging about this: QandO, Blue Crab Boulevard, Joe Gandelman, Liberty and Justice, Pejman Yousefzadeh
Related Toldjah So posts:
- Feds were ready to take a stand in Jefferson case
- Rep. Jefferson - the latest news
- Justice Dept. denies Hastert is under investigation
- Way to go, Republicans in Congress!
- New meaning to the term ‘cold hard cash’
- Ray Nagin wins again in New Orleans mayoral election (w/ news on Rep. Jefferson scandal)
- Two things on this. First I think the massive “flood” of emails, so irate at the comments of some Senators of both parties on this “seperation of powers” nonsense, were harsh enough to strip the varnish off Congressional desks, and simply scared the hell out of the rest of them, Dubin certainly high among them.
- Secondly, as the investigation moves forward, things look worse and worse for Jefferson, so the whole issue is a lose-lose radioactive deal.
- This kerfluffle, along with several others making the rounds right now, is not going to push the immigration/border contol issue/bill off the radar screen. This may be the last time for awhile to get anything done, and people will not be distracted.
- Bang
Comment by Big Bang Hunter @ 5/29/2006 - 5:01 pm
Time to clean House. Hastert out, along with Pelosi and anyone else who’s shown stupidity and cupidity as their strong suits.
Let’s get rid of Kennedy and Specter, too, and a whole lot more, likt the two Florida Senators who have surrendered to the Illegal Immigrant Lobby.
Out with the cheating, lying, illegitimate offspring of Adult Female Dogs!
Was that too wishy-washy?
Comment by benning @ 5/29/2006 - 5:39 pm
Hasert wasn’t a bad team player because he defended a Democrat. It was a turf war-Executive and Judicial moving onto Legislatives ‘holy ground’. He should be coming to his senses any time now.
Jefferson is cooked-a crook by any other name stinks just as bad. Wouldn’t it be fun if Jefferson, in order to avoid jail turned against a few other Democrats who also received money- but haven’t as yet been identified?Maybe the African company put all of it’s bad eggs in one basket-and more names will be uncovered. Shouldn’t there be sanctions against the African company which paid for political influence?
Comment by Doug @ 5/29/2006 - 6:00 pm
This reminds me of when Geraldine Fararro(sp?) opened her mouth about her and her hubby’s taxes. Of course what kind of clown would cheat on his taxes when is wife is running for public office? Anyway, It just seems to me that Hasert just might be doing alittle CYA here. If this were a different time, and the people actually trusted our representatives, then I would be less suspicious. How many representatives have resigned or are under investigation or indictment right now?? - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 5/29/2006 - 7:52 pm
All I know they better wise up.
I believe that the American people are paying VERY close attention, and scrutinizing the act of Congressmen and Senators and the Administration more than they ever have before.
The distrust of the Administration reflects in the polls numbers, but what does get told to you is that the distrust and disapproval of Congress is even LOWER! Think on that when everyone quotes the Presdient’s low poll numbers, and look at the alternative - that the American people are even less pleased with Congress.
That should tell you something when Congress ranks even lower than the President when the Presdient has hit very low approval numbers.
The American people are not stupid, and they see Congress as corrupt, not just republicans but also democrats (no matter how much they wish to act like it isnt them).
All I know, based on illegal immigration and this kerfluffel with Congress and the Senate acting like monarchs, with imperial attitudes about their offices being searched in a criminal investigation (strange how they blasted the administration and FBI, but not the JUDGE that issued the search warrant), that the American people are fed up and angry.
The illegal imigration bill alone, has most of America up in arms.
A few items that will make your blood boil:
* Must consult with Mexico before building a fence. (since when do we need to consult another country in the protection of our nation?!?!?!)
* They will be taxed, but only required to pay a few years not all of it. If it was Amercian Citizens, do you think we would be able to not pay our taxes and not face any kind of recriminations from the government and the IRS?
* No penalties for the companies that higher illegals..
* Illegal aliens will be able to get Social Security (thanks Areln Spectre for the last minute throw in on that one)
Sen. Grassley said the imigration bill is chock full of flaws and loopholes, the top ten he had in an article I posted: Top Ten Flaws with the Immigration Reform Bill.
It is unbelievable the games these Congressman and Senators are playing with this, as the Amercian people literally are furious with their actions. There may only be a few that have to worry about upcoming elections, but the American people will not forget those who gave us the finger and not listened to “we the people”. Your jobs are still on the line, you better believe it!
People are still sending bricks to Congressman and Senators also - telling them to BUILD THAT WALL and NO AMNESTY!
At the very least Republicans better wake the hell up, or they will single handedly give the Democrats what they desire the most - Control.
Comment by sanity @ 5/29/2006 - 8:31 pm