An area of bi-partisanship

We often talk about how divided the political landscape is these days. Well, the Justice Department has found away to develop congressional bi-partisanship. Is it a matter of protecting the country in time of war? No, nothing that trivial. No, this is really important. What area of agreement did congressional Democrats and Republicans reach? They've agreed that congressman should be able to hide evidence in their office and be warned in advance of court ordered searches.

The FBI's raid on a congressman's office is rippling through Capitol Hill, with majority Republicans in the House complaining to President Bush and predicting a constitutional showdown in the Supreme Court. Lawmakers predict this may be the beginning a long dispute over the FBI's search of Rep. William Jefferson's office last weekend. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., was so angry that he complained to Bush about the FBI's conduct. "My opinion is that they took the wrong path," Hastert said of the FBI, after meeting with Bush in the White House. "They need to back up, and we need to go from there."

FBI agents searched the Louisiana Democrat's office in pursuit of evidence in a bribery investigation. The search warrant, signed by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan, was based on an affidavit that said agents found $90,000 in cash wrapped and stashed in the freezer of Jefferson's home.

Jefferson has not been indicted and has denied wrongdoing. The search brought Republican and Democratic leaders together in a rare alliance, fighting what they branded a breach of constitutional boundaries between branches of government.

House Democrats reacted particularly quickly, in keeping with their election-year pledge to campaign against what they call a Republican "culture of corruption."
Democrats are making it known that Jefferson is no longer welcome on the House's most prestigious committee, the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Whatever Jefferson's fate, the weekend raid stirred bipartisan expressions of concern.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tried to strike a conciliatory tone, saying, "We have a great deal of respect for the Congress as a coequal branch of government." But he also defended the search: "We have an obligation to the American people to pursue the evidence where it exists."

Justice Department officials said the decision to search Jefferson's office was made in part because he refused to comply with a subpoena for documents last summer. Jefferson reported the subpoena to the House on Sept. 15, 2005.

The House and Senate Judiciary committees were looking at the ramifications of Hogan's action. Also, House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters that Hastert's aides are reviewing several responses, including legal options.

They can't agree on defending our country, but they quickly agree to defend each other. Who says there's no loyalty amongst thieves.

I called the office of my congressman (Boehner) to complain. Their pat answer is that the Constitution says that Congress is self-policing. I re-read my copy of the Constitution and don't see an article saying Congress is above the law. If you think Congress is not above the law call your representative and let him know. If not, call the FBI and tell them not to worry about all the bribery that Congress will look into on their own.