Congress

Senate To Move Forward with Ethics Investigation of Craig

Sen. Craig’s attorney has tried and failed to get the Senate to drop its planned investigation into his guilty plea. Stan Brand has a good point that this is not the type of matter that has been historically investigated. Disorderly conduct is an extremely minor offense and the matter does not relate to his senatorial duties. However, the Senate rules are quite broad and reserves the right to investigate any “improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate.” Historically, however, this matter would not be subject to such review. There are few cases of actual expulsion or even censure in its history. Senator William Blount of Tennessee was expelled on the basis of evidence that he incited native americans to go to war against the United States. Even Joseph McCarthy was only censured after his reign of terror against accused communists.

3 thoughts on “Senate To Move Forward with Ethics Investigation of Craig”

  1. The Supreme Court has taken a more narrow view of the meaning of Article 1, Section 6, which excludes certain crimes. State courts have also rejected such claims based on like provisions in their respective constitutions.

  2. Article 1, Section 6 of the US Constitution states that “Senators and Representatives. shall. be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same.”

    Since the senator was on his way to Washington, and did in fact cast a vote on the evening of the day on which he was arrested, his arrest and subsequent questioning were, technically speaking, unconstitutional.

  3. “Improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate” is serious stuff, and I agree: behavior matters.

    We can’t have gayish behavior in the Senate, for God’s sake!

    The Senate needs to put this guy in cement shoes and drop him to the bottom of the Morality Sea.

    And then, in celebration, I suggest all the good Senators go out and buy themselves All-American Vitter-type whores, in celebration of their indignation over queer behavior (dignified golf applause).

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