AP: Some Lawmakers Wary of Fight Over FBI Raid

[Eugene]

Some Lawmakers Wary of Fight Over FBI Raid


Thursday May 25, 2006 1:01 PM

AP Photo DCLB106

By LAURIE KELLMAN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some lawmakers are warning of a voter backlash against members
of Congress "trying to protect their own" if party leaders keep escalating
a constitutional dispute over the FBI's raid of a representative's office.

<snip>

"Criticizing the executive and judicial branches of our government for fully
investigating a member of Congress suspected of criminal wrongdoing sends the wrong
message and reflects poorly upon all of Congress," Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., said
in a statement. "They should not expect their congressional offices to be treated
as a safe haven."

A GOP colleague, Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, said the public "will come to one
conclusion: that congressional leaders are trying to protect their own from valid
investigations."

While some lawmakers contended the executive branch overstepped its authority, Senate
Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada has declined to condemn the search.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5844867,00.html

So, insisting that the government stays within Constitutional bounds
while it enforces the law "sends the wrong message." If these
Congress members will not stand up to protect Congress from
an unprecedented intrusion on its authority, they won't stand up
for anything. :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[ananda]

1. They don't think that..

.. they are subject to any inconvenient laws or Constitutions.

They are Republicans; they are goons and thugs masquerading as
button-down Conservatives.

Sue

[bryant69]

2. IT is interesting to see this issue splitting Republicans

Presumably some of them believe that Republican power is here to stay, and therefore there's no need to worry about seperation of powers; while others realize that if they can use these techniques, so can President Gore when he regains power.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

3. I've been out of the loop on this story.

Where might I find an analysis of why this would be considered unconstitutional.

[pberq]

4. See this article

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/24/jefferson/index.html

GOP, Dems blast FBI for searching congressional office
Lawmaker files motion demanding FBI return confiscated papers

Wednesday, May 24, 2006; Posted: 11:25 p.m. EDT (03:25 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Though no one actually defended embattled Rep. William Jefferson, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi joined House Republicans on Wednesday in expressing outrage over the FBI's recent search of the congressman's legislative office.

Pelosi, D-California, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, released a joint statement Wednesday saying that the FBI should immediately return all documents it "unconstitutionally seized" Saturday from Jefferson's office.

The sharply worded statement came just hours after Pelosi sent a letter to the Louisiana Democrat, urging him to resign his post on the House Ways and Means Committee, a request Jefferson refused. . . .

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

6. I don't understand.

Pelosi and Hastert allege that the separation of power principle was violated because the Department of Justice, which governs the FBI and is an offshoot of the executive branch, searched the office of a congressman, a member of the legislative branch.

Not sure I buy that. It seems to imply that they also couldn't search their private residences.

[RebelDawg]

5. These slimy repugs

have a lot to hide. Thats what all the fuss is over. Kind of "oh shit, I might be next..."