13 members of Congress subpoenaed by Brent Wilkes (Cunningham)

[Holly_Hobby]

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, House Republican Whip Roy Blunt and 11 other members of Congress have been subpoenaed to testify in the trial of a defense contractor charged with bribing jailed former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

All of the lawmakers said they do not intend to comply with the subpoenas.

...

Here's the list:

In addition to Hastert, R-Ill., Wilkes' attorneys are seeking testimony from:

— House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri

— Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Ill.

— House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.

— House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.

— House Appropriations defense subcommittee chairman John Murtha, D-Pa.

— California Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter, John Doolittle, Darrell Issa and Jerry Lewis. Hunter chaired the Armed Services Committee and Lewis chaired the Appropriations Committee in the last Congress.

— Republicans Reps. Peter Hoekstra and Joe Knollenberg of Michigan. Hoekstra chaired the House Intelligence Committee in the last Congress.

— Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks of Washington.


http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004214.php

[AuntPatsy]

1. Yes I know, sad isn't it when the lawmakers refuse to follow thier own laws.

[spanone]

2. All of the lawmakers said they do not intend to comply with the subpoenas

well kiss my ass. so now 'lawmakers' are immune from law?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. I wonder what happens when ordinary citizens don't "comply" with subpoenas?

I imagine it's a bit different than for the Lords of Power.

[onenote]

5. anyone can seek to have a subpoena quashed, but you need to show good cause

and have some basis, such as lack of relevance or overbreadth.

[onenote]

4. I'm curious to see what grounds they cite for refusing to comply

The House rules make clear that House members are to comply with a judicial or administrative subpoena or judicial order where it is "a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court, is material and relevant, and is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House" Not sure what the last clause is intended to cover, but I don't know of anything in the "privileges and rights of the House" that would exempt members in this particular case.

[maddezmom]

6. I'm curious as well

but they all seem to be able to get away with making up laws as they go. :mad:

[mikelgb]

7. to hell with the whole bunch

Skelton lost me during the Betrayus hearing

[flyarm]

8. any lawyers around???????..how can they refuse comply with

the court subpoenas?????

could they be held in contempt of court???????? and forced to comply?????????

thanks...

fly