Quote of the Day

[applegrove]

https://politicalwire.com/2017/11/30/quote-of-the-day-1786/

"SNIP.........

“If he is elected, there are no grounds under the Constitution to fail to seat him. The Constitution says you can only look at citizenship, whether they are a resident of the state, and if they are the proper age. So we have to seat him.”

— Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), quoted by CNN, on whether the U.S. Senate would refuse to seat Roy Moore (R) if he wins Alabama’s special election.


.........SNIP"

"the proper age" to be a senator? What about the age of consent? Does that mean anything?

[unblock]

1. that's flat out incorrect and ignorant of factual history.

article i, section 5: "Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide."


either house can kick out or refuse to seat any member for any reason.

the senate initially refused to seat burris (d-il), who was appointed by blagojevich.
more infamously, the senate took four years to seat smoot (r-ut) because he was a mormon.


the senate absolutely can refuse to seat moore if it chooses to do so.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unseated_members_of_the_United_States_Congress

[unblock]

2. they can also seat and later expel a member with 2/3rd vote

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_from_the_United_States_Congress

Expulsion is the most serious form of disciplinary action that can be taken against a Member of Congress. Article I, Section 5 of the United States Constitution provides that "Each House [of Congress] may determine the Rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member." The processes for expulsion differ somewhat between the House of Representatives and the Senate.