Yesterday, I testified about the subpoena power of Congress under Article I and briefly discussed the recent free speech challenge to the Senate subpoena issued against Backpage.com. I mentioned in the hearing that the district court had issued a sweeping reaffirmation of congressional subpoena authority, but that Chief Justice John Roberts had issued a stay. Now, the Supreme Court denied the appeal. The decision further strengthens the case of the House Science Committee.
In the hearing, I explained that it is unlikely that the public interest groups could prevail on a blanket refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena. There is no threshold immunity for such organizations recognized in past Supreme Court cases. The ubiquitous character of not-for-profit corporations makes any threshold barrier impracticable. There is a plethora of such groups set up by advocates from industry, academics, and public interest areas. Some could easily be viewed as part of a conspiracy or underlying effort to violate federal laws, as was the case with certain tobacco industry groups. Indeed, tobacco groups were subject to subpoenas to uncover the identities and activities of their sponsors and contributors. This included both hearings in the House as well as federal investigations and other litigation.
Such demands can clearly pose high costs for the political system. The scope of the demand on public interest groups could raise specific concerns over the chilling effect on free speech and association. To be sure, there are cases where allegations necessitate the demand for communications made by not-for-profit corporations. It is for that reason that I encouraged both the attorneys general and Congress to minimize the investigation of academics and public interest groups in this controversy.
The district court rejected the same arguments raised in this controversy in Senate Permanent Subcom. On Investigations v. Ferrer, where the Senate Committee issued a production order to Carl Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer of Backpage.com, an online website for classified ads. The order required the disclosure of information related to users as part of an investigation into the use of the Internet for illegal sex trafficking. The court rejected the challenge on the basis of the authorization of Committee, the scope of the order, and the free speech objections. The court rejected what it viewed as absolute claims under the first amendment and noted that “enforcement of the subpoena in the instant case does not impose a content-based restriction on any protected activity.
Now, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied an appeal from Backpage.com, a classified advertising website.
Squeeky, great post. Shame that it’s so true…
SamFox
Congress is off “on holiday” too many days each year. But on the other hand if they were in session they might do bad things. Better that they wallow in Watergate.
One thing that would help, is to directly confront the phony and untrue myth that we have three co-equal branches of government. No, we have three split areas of responsibility, but Congress, and the legislative branch is the far superior branch of government.
Congress can impeach any Federal Judge that it wants to, including SCOTUS justices, and Congress can impeach and remove any executive branch employee, including the President. Congress can over-ride Presidential vetoes.
If Congress had the will, they could start impeaching judges and members of the executive branch in large numbers to reassert its authority. If the DOJ drags its feet and engages in partisan politics, Congress could act as one to remove Loretta Lynch. If a President starts an unwarranted military action, that President could be impeached in a period of days.
But, Congress has no real will to be decisive. Congress is impotent. Sooo, our country will go down the tubes.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
The vaunted United States Legislative system of checks and balances exists only in the minds of 8th grade students who are taking their first Civics Classes. When Billionaires like George Soros, or Bloomberg can buy elections from the County level on up, they can also buy Supreme Court Justice’s nominations through the President.
Kurt J: So, too, the federal department of justice only exists to deter blue-collar crime:
Congress has the power, but I agree that the political will of the US Attorney for D.C. rests with whichever party occupies the White House. An independent prosecutor should be the route used.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
I have decided that the Congress should have its own enforcement arm. Since it can no longer rely on the DoJ to do its job, they need their own power of contempt.
You’re absolutely correct Paul. The Congress has been made a fool of by a goober techy who will fall on the sword to protect his felon candidate for president. He never showed up.
That is as disrespectful as it gets. This elitist pos should be jailed. It’s time to force these law breakers into obeying the law. I think Obama should be arrested as well for intentionally breaking not only Constitutional laws but federal one too.