Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)The Constitution specifically allows for Congressional secrecy and military contractors [View all]
Article I, Section 5:
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Doesn't seem to be any limit on the secrecy power in the Constitution.
Also, military contractors are specifically allowed in Article I, Section 8:
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
56 replies, 3726 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (6)
ReplyReply to this post
56 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Constitution specifically allows for Congressional secrecy and military contractors [View all]
Recursion
Jul 2013
OP
Somehow, I doubt the Founders anticipated our modern ways in quite the detail you are implying. nt
Romulus Quirinus
Jul 2013
#2
I doubt they anticipated assault rifles in quite the detail 2nd amendment fans imply. n/t
pnwmom
Jul 2013
#8
I doubt they anticipated private contractors like Booz Allen in quite the same way either
think
Jul 2013
#29
Thank you for replying. I'm sorry if I've been annoying & repetitive on this issue
think
Jul 2013
#55
Thanks. I guess we will just have to take the govt's word that they are not violating the spirit
think
Jul 2013
#14
And now important interpretations are classified. That is not a precedent I'm fond of
think
Jul 2013
#21
I agree with your views and would like to subscribe to your news letter. nt
Romulus Quirinus
Jul 2013
#49
I seem to remember he considers it a "vast untapped resource" or some crap like that
Recursion
Jul 2013
#18
So where is the open debate in congress that would enable one fifth can keep the goings of the
Luminous Animal
Jul 2013
#9
That is all well and good if they have declared the enemy to be the public at large
nolabels
Jul 2013
#16
I still haven't found a provision for secret interpretation of the law in the Constititution....
think
Jul 2013
#31
No you aren't, you are actually offering examples from the past to excuse present problems
Bluenorthwest
Jul 2013
#40
Most of them were alive and in Congress when Washington refused to make trade negotiations public
Recursion
Jul 2013
#35
So you agree that when my Senators say secrets are being kept from them that is not
Bluenorthwest
Jul 2013
#33
I interpret this as even if it is secret, it can be entered on the Journal with 20% ...
kentuck
Jul 2013
#34
There is indeed a problem and it revolves around the private contractor NSA relationship
think
Jul 2013
#45
Yes, and the Constitution specifically allows us to throw their asses out if they do so.
bemildred
Jul 2013
#47