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This statement was released by the
House Financial Services
Committee Democrats. Congressman Frank is the Ranking Democratic
Member on the Committee. FRANK
COMMENTS ON FBI SEARCH OF CONGRESSMAN JEFFERSON'S OFFICE
May 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Adamske 202.225.7141
(Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I disagree with the bipartisan
House leadership criticism of the FBI's search of a Member's office. I know
nothing specifically about the case, except that the uncontroverted public
evidence did seem to justify the issuance of a warrant.
What we now have is a Congressional leadership, the Republican part of which
has said it is okay for law enforcement to engage in warrantless searches of
the average citizen, now objecting when a search, pursuant to a validly
issued warrant, is conducted of a Member of Congress.
I understand that the speech and debate clause is in the Constitution. It is
there because Queen Elizabeth I and King James I were disrespectful of
Parliament. It ought to be, in my judgment, construed narrowly. It should
not be in any way interpreted as meaning that we as Members of Congress have
legal protections superior to those of the average citizen.
So I think it was a grave error to have criticized the FBI. I think what
they did, they ought to be able to do in every case where they can get a
warrant from a judge. I think, in particular, for the leadership of this
House, which has stood idly by while this administration has ignored the
rights of citizens, to then say we have special rights as Members of
Congress is wholly inappropriate.
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