Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats

[The Straight Story]

The Wisconsin Senate passed a resolution Thursday ordering the arrest of the 14 Democratic senators who left the state two weeks ago to avoid a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill.

It's unclear whether the move to force the senators back to the Capitol is constitutional. The state Constitution prohibits the arrest of legislators while in session unless they're suspected of committing felonies, treason or breach of the peace.

James Troupis, a private attorney hired by Fitzgerald, contended Thursday that the move is legal. He cited a portion of the state Constitution that provides that each house "may compel the attendance of absent members."

Republicans voted 19-0 to give the Democrats until 4 p.m. Thursday to appear before the Senate. The 14 Democrats are believed to be in Illinois. If the senators do not return by the deadline, the Senate agreed to find them "in contempt and disorderly behavior."



http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8d9ad090-45bd-11e0-bf68-001cc4c03286.html

[madrchsod]

1. illinois is`t going to honor anything but an arrest warrant

those dumb fucks in wisconsin know this.

[unionworks]

2. For Real?

First they want to ban prank phone calls, now this. "Republicans Gone
Wild":wow:

[glinda]

3. So Politicians defending the American people and their rights are trumped by

Politicians breaking laws, overthrowing the way our Government should work? Nice asshats!

[Blue Owl]

4. Let Walker have his little hissy fit

This is all about him and his Koch dealers anyways, not about the people of Wisconsin.

Fuck you Scott Walker you piece of shit.

[Aerows]

6. He's a child

He's getting a lesson, however, that people won't just put up with anything.

[Aerows]

5. Disorderly behavior

is anything that a Republican doesn't like.

[louis-t]

7. Does "compel" always mean "arrest"?

Senate is not the law enforcement branch of the government, nor is it the law interpreting branch.