Category Archives: Speech or Debate Clause

“N.J.’s Menendez says actions that helped friend were legitimate”

September 11, 2015, 10:28 ambribery, chicanery, legislation and legislatures, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

NJ.com: Lawyers for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez argued in U.S. District Court in Newark that his actions on behalf of Dr. Salomon Melgen concerned legitimate policy questions and were not favors for a friend and campaign donor. In filings submitted… Continue reading

“Government Not Impressed by Menendez’s ‘Policy’ Approach to Speech or Debate”

August 26, 2015, 8:49 amchicanery, legislation and legislatures, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Point of Order explains.

Speech or Debate Clause, Citizens United, Weigh Heavily in Sen. Menendez Defense to Bribery

July 21, 2015, 8:47 ambribery, campaign finance, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

This should be interesting. Even if these claims ultimately fail (which they likely will), it will likely buy the Senator some significant time before potential incarceration.

Bauer Critical of SCOTUS AZ Redistricting Decision and Renzi Cert. Denial

July 7, 2015, 9:17 amredistricting, Speech or Debate Clause, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Interesting read: The doctrinal fine points are open to be debate, but it is hard to escape the impression that Court believes readily in the failures of the democratic process and the part played in this breakdown by self-interested legislators. … Continue reading

Bauer on #SCOTUS Renzi Petition and Congressional Self-Policing

June 23, 2015, 8:25 amethics investigations, Speech or Debate Clause, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

interesting.

Renzi Speech or Debate Clause Case Relisted at #SCOTUS

June 19, 2015, 12:23 pmSpeech or Debate Clause, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

John Elwood: The other two rescheduled cases involve the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. The first petitioner is former Representative Richard Renzi, who was charged with extorting private investors to buy land owned by his friend and… Continue reading

“Will Menendez Staffers Be Forced to Testify Against Their Boss?”

March 12, 2015, 8:35 pmethics investigations, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Roll Call on how far the Speech or Debate privilege extends

9th Circuit Affirms Renzi Conviction

October 9, 2014, 4:36 pmbribery, Speech or Debate ClauseJustin Levitt

The opinion, again rejecting a defense under the Speech or Debate Clause, is here. Rick’s earlier coverage is here.

“The Legislator-Lobbyist Privilege?”

July 8, 2014, 8:51 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbying, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Very interesting post at Point of Order.

“House Lawyers Defend ‘Speech or Debate’ Protections”

April 16, 2014, 12:20 pmlegislation and legislatures, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Legal Times: A bipartisan group of congressional leaders filed court papers Tuesday defending the constitutional shield that protects members of Congress and their staff from being forced to provide information about legislative activities. The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of… Continue reading

“Developing a Speech or Debate Clause Framework for Redistricting Litigation”

July 15, 2013, 4:34 pmredistricting, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Christopher Asta has posted this draft on SSRN (NYU Law Review). Here is the abstract: The Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution protects legislators from being “questioned” at trial about their legislative acts. This protection shields legislators from… Continue reading

“Former Rep. Rick Renzi Convicted in Corruption Case”

June 11, 2013, 9:19 pmbribery, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Roll Call reports. So I’ll now be updating a few things in the Legislation chapters of my work in progress, Legislation, Statutory Interpretation, and Election Law: Examples and Explanations. (From alleged to convicted…)