3 ms·

'except Felony'

• kps 13y ago
  It reads to me as though speaking in Congress can't be made a felony (or treason, or breach of the peace) because that would involve the Member being questioned for their speech in another place (i.e., a court) — but then, this is the sort of thing that makes American politics such fun to watch, from a bit of a distance.
• dragonwriter 13y ago
  There's two separate provisions of the Speech and Debate clause: 1) Members can't be arrested while attending a session of their House of Congress, or while travelling to or from such a session, except in relation to charges of "Treason, Felony, and Breach of Peace." and: 2) Members can't be held accountable for any speech or debate in their House except by the same House itself. The "Treason, Felony, or Breach of Peace" exception has nothing to do with the second provision.
  • dlitz 13y ago
    Your argument seems to make sense, but why does everyone seem to agree that it would still be a felony, then?