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Simple English definitions for legal terms

contempt of Congress

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A quick definition of contempt of Congress:

Contempt of Congress is when someone tries to stop Congress from doing its job. Congress has the power to punish people who do this. It's like when someone disobeys a judge in court. Even though the Constitution doesn't say Congress can punish people for contempt, it's an important power they need to do their job. In the past, people were held in contempt for trying to bribe Congress or refusing to answer questions. Today, people can be held in contempt if they don't show up or answer questions during a Congressional investigation. If someone is found guilty of contempt, they can be fined or even go to jail. But Congress can only punish people for things they have the power to investigate. For example, they can't investigate someone's private life or something that's not related to their job. One famous example of contempt of Congress was during the Watergate scandal when President Nixon refused to give Congress tapes of his conversations. Recently, the January 6th House Committee has issued subpoenas to investigate the January 6th riot, and some people may be held in contempt if they don't cooperate.

A more thorough explanation:

Contempt of Congress is when someone intentionally interferes with the work of Congress. This can include refusing to answer questions or provide information during a Congressional investigation or hearing. Congress has the power to punish individuals who interfere with its work, which is considered an implied power of the legislature.

For example, in 1974 during the Watergate scandal, President Nixon refused to comply with Congressional subpoenas for tapes of his conversations. Congress considered holding him in contempt for refusing to cooperate with their investigation. More recently, in 2021, the January 6th House Committee issued subpoenas to investigate the January 6th riot. Some individuals who were subpoenaed may face contempt charges if they refuse to comply.

It is important to note that Congress can only hold individuals in contempt for actions related to a subject over which Congress has legislative power. Additionally, the power to investigate must not be confused with law enforcement powers, which are assigned to the Executive and Judiciary branches of government.

contempt | contempt of court

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yeah there are so many good cuisines in ithaca
renard99
22:31
@lilypadfrog: that’s a pity I’da be liking them all
texaslawhopefully
22:31
Only food I’m going to miss for sure if I leave Texas is texmex
22:31
waspy hasnt had thai food in ithaca yet. ithaca thai is so good
^^^^ truuuuuu
22:32
there are two major thai places and they have very similar names bc a divorced husband and wife own them lol
22:32
personally i think taste of thai is better than taste of thai express but thats just me
i had pho tho and it was really good and huge portions
texaslawhopefully
22:32
Glad they have good Thai food, I love Thai food! Can’t wait to visit :)
22:33
when tex goes to ithaca i want to come
Dkk
22:34
Crying Tiger, best Thai dish.
damn im so hungry all i had today was a curry tonkatsu and buldak
and it was a lil baby noodle cup
vvv hungry
22:36
curry tonkatsu so yummeh
22:36
whats even open rn? pizza?
CTB is it i think
22:37
is collegetown pizza not open
22:37
i used to get a slice from there or wings over at like 1am after my shift at the restaurant
Dkk
22:48
Ross Ulbricht free. God Bless Trump. Huge win.
JeremyFragrance
22:54
agreed
texaslawhopefully
22:55
This is an interesting read: https://thedispatch.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-implications/
Dkk
23:01
I mean, idk how it's possible to end birth right citizenship without amending the constitution because to me the 14th amendment is pretty clear about it.
ross ulbricht tried to hire a hitman to kill 5 people
i am not that sympathetic to him
Dkk
23:04
@KnowledgeableRitzyWasp: That might have been an FBI agent. It was most likely him and he was most likely doing it to retrieve stolen funds that corrupt FBI agents stole, but yeah moral gray area but me personally, cool with hitmen. It's not like it is uncommon to hire hitmen. I don't think the action itself is necessarily wrong but the intent behind it can be.
Dkk
23:05
Like, Boeing whistblowers being killed by hitmen = wrong but a guy hiring hitmen to retrieve stolen funds = good to me.
texaslawhopefully
23:05
@Dkk: Yeah, for sure. My guess is it'll go to SCOTUS and it'll be 8-1 or 7-2, saying that EO was unconstitutional.
Dkk
23:06
Indeed. I need a count for how many exectuive orders he has signed and how many already have pending lawsuits.
i've been away for a while what were the most recent waves? any this week?
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