Republican lawmakers lose lawsuit challenging post-January 6 security screening rule

[babylonsister]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/politics/gop-lawmakers-lose-lawsuit-capitol-security/index.html

Republican lawmakers lose lawsuit challenging post-January 6 security screening rule
By Katelyn Polantz, CNN Reporter, Crime and Justice
Updated 6:15 PM ET, Mon August 1, 2022


(CNN)A federal judge has ruled against House Republicans who tried to challenge security screening on Capitol Hill for members of Congress.

Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania were fined thousands of dollars each by the sergeant at arms after they skipped security screenings outside the House chamber that were put in place following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The trio then sued in DC District Court to challenge the House rules.

But Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, on Monday dismissed the case, saying he did not have jurisdiction. The House sergeant at arms and the House's top administrator were protected from the court wading into the House rules because of the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, the judge determined.

"Here, each challenged act of the House Officers qualifies as a legislative act," Kelly wrote. "Thus, the Speech or Debate Clause bars the Members' claims."

[bottomofthehill]

1. Oh my, that will cost them a pretty penny.

[Irish_Dem]

2. And the taxpayers. The GOP uses the courts as a weapon, and we pay the bill.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Who is surprised by this?

These assholes need to pay their fines

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. Constitution says "Each House may ... punish its members"

Article I, Section 5 ( in part ):
Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.