Did John Boehner VIOLATE THE LAW By Inviting Netanyahu to Address Congress?

[onenote]

33. so was the enactment of sanctions against South Africa

over Reagan's veto a criminal act?

I don't think so.
And I bet you don't think so either.

The State Department has made it clear that they recognize that the legislative branch has a role to play with regard to foreign relations;

"The clear intent of this provision is to prohibit unauthorized persons from intervening in disputes between the United States and foreign governments. Nothing in section 953, however, would appear to restrict members of the Congress from engaging in discussions with foreign officials in pursuance of their legislative duties under the Constitution."

Members of Congress of both parties meet with foreign officials all the time. The idea that they never discuss foreign relations or are merely spouting the current president's policies is naive. As a candidate for president, then Senator Barack Obama visited a number of foreign countries and sat down for meetings with foreign leaders. When he discussed Iraq and Afghanistan, he clearly wasn't merely pushing the policies of the Bush administration or was in agreement with his opponent McCain. But it would have been ridiculous to suggest he violated the law in doing that.

I think Boehner's action was obnoxious, rude, an extreme breach of protocol. But it wasn't illegal.