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Poiuyt

(18,272 posts) Tue Oct 15, 2019, 05:31 PM Oct 2019

Seriously, what can Congress do if someone refuses a subpoena? [View all]

I've heard talk about a jail in the basement of the Capitol, but I doubt that Pelosi, et al would resort to that (if it still exists). Can Congress send out the U. S. marshals? Impose fines? Is getting a subpoena from a judicial proceeding different from getting one from Congress? And on what basis can Rudy Giuliani, a private citizen, refuse a subpoena?

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Seriously, what can Congress do if someone refuses a subpoena? [View all] Poiuyt Oct 2019 OP

Excellent question! Far too many are using this cop-out with as far as I know no real repercussions. RKP5637 Oct 2019 #1

Subpoena literally means "under penalty," so the ability to impose a penalty if stopbush Oct 2019 #2

But what kind of penalty does Congress have the power and willingness to impose? Poiuyt Oct 2019 #4

Congress has 3 ways to penalize someone for refusing a subpoena... PoliticAverse Oct 2019 #3

Thank you for that Poiuyt Oct 2019 #5

the executive branch is obviously out Voltaire2 Oct 2019 #8

The problem is it would be tied up in the courts for months, if not years. We don't have that long. Garrett78 Oct 2019 #10

Civil judgment... pbmus Oct 2019 #9

Well... PoliticAverse Oct 2019 #12

I think there is only one branch of government we can count on for enforcement. milestogo Oct 2019 #7

words are important, no doubt. but actions are more important. Kurt V. Oct 2019 #6

The need for major structural reform is the elephant in the room. Garrett78 Oct 2019 #11

Who remembers Andrew Jackson after losing a ruling by the Supreme Court? 3Hotdogs Oct 2019 #13

+1 Kurt V. Oct 2019 #14

Susan MacDougal was imprisoned for 18 months for defying Congressional subpoena SharonAnn Oct 2019 #15

I believe Spiro Agnew's Ghost may have some guidance on that question ffr Oct 2019 #16

Followup: Steny Hoyer: Democrats will rely on courts to enforce, not inherent contempt PoliticAverse Oct 2019 #17