Representative Files Resolution Directing Sergeant-At-Arms of House to Arrest Lois Lerner For Contempt?!

Apparently so:

As Gabe has ably explained before, the House is said to have the "inherent authority" to do this, as it is necessary to give meaning to its power to investigate. If a key witness can lie to it, for example, without any consequence, then its power to investigate is a nullity.

So Stockman (and how many others, I don't know) is taking the position that she waived her right against self-incrimination and ergo is in contempt and the House therefore can, by its inherent authority, direct her to be arrested by the body's Sergeant-At-Arms.

This is a very interesting and rare thing -- this is frequently talked about --you'll always find someone suggesting the House do this with executive employees or even the President, no matter what the party-- but almost never done.

I think Gabe said the last time this power was utilized was in the 1930s (aka John Ekdahl's favorite decade).

Oh, and of course an IRS agent was suspended -- suspended, not fired -- for aggressively campaigning for Obama on the IRS tax help line.

And more news, via Hot Air and I think @danreihl:

Ugh.

What an asshole.

But Philip Klein thinks this is the best punch to lead with, as the House is on its strongest footing here:

posted by Ace at 06:44 PM

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