Extraordinary display of unity
Two weeks ago, the Republican and Democrat leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives did something they rarely do: they publicly agreed on a controversial topic. The significance of this event demands a little background.
The FBI is investigating Rep. William Jefferson (D – La.) on charges of bribery. A former aide has pleaded guilty to bribing Jefferson. The FBI alleges in an affidavit that they found $90,000 of bribe money used a sting operation in Jefferson’s freezer wrapped in “various food containers” and tinfoil. And, the FBI also alleges that Jefferson failed to cooperate with a subpoena for records related to the investigation.
Based upon this evidence and believing that materials in Jefferson’s office were pertinent to the investigation, the FBI secured a warrant and proceeded to search Jefferson’s Capitol Hill office. It is the first time that such a search happened.
The reaction from Congress was swift, decisive, and unified in condemning the Justice Department and the FBI. Unfortunately for Congressional leaders, we are not all Constitutional scholars. Their intended messages in their reponse may vary greatly from what most American heard.
| What Congress said | What came to mind |
| Separation of powers | Does Congress operate under a different set of laws? |
| We demand the immediate return of Rep. Jefferson’s papers | Why is Congress interfering with a potential investigation? |
| We need rules and procedures for this type of investigation in the future | Why do members of Congress get special consideration? |
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