Quite the contrary is true. Gravel v. United States, 408 U.S. 606, 626, 92 S.Ct. I, 6, cl. 657-61. HC-8 Thus, in the criminal context the Supreme Court has indicated that it is the Executive Branch's evidentiary use of legislative acts, rather than its exposure to that evidence, that violates the Clause. TTY: 202-225-1904. That does not mean that the Executive Branch is without power to execute such a warrant; it just as likely indicates that never before has the Executive Branch found its use necessary. 749 (Clause protect[s] [the legislature] against possible prosecution by an unfriendly executive and conviction by a hostile judiciary). WebRayburn House Office Building. Some parts of the lockdown were removed, though other areas remained sealed. See United States v. Rostenkowski, 59 F.3d 1291, 1296-1300 (D.C.Cir.1995). Johnson v. United States, 228 U.S. 457, 458, 33 S.Ct. The Speech or Debate Clause provides that for any Speech or Debate in either House, [Members of Congress] shall not be questioned in any other Place. U.S. Const. WebIf you are looking for our District Office contact information, you can view our Offices page. Art. It was completed in 1965 and at 2.375 million square feet (220,644 m2) is the largest congressional office building and the newest House office building (the only newer congressional office building is the Hart Senate Office Building, completed in 1982). While the Fourth Amendment issue is not before us, the Supreme Court's instruction in United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 104 S.Ct. WebWashington, DC Office. 390 CHOB (Cannon Caucus Room), Longworth Lobby Stakeout East He is also the Lead House Republican on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, co-chairs the Valley Fever Task Force with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and is the Republican Co-Chair of the Blockchain Caucus, Telehealth Caucus, Singapore Caucus, and the Caucus on Access to Capital and Credit. of Scott Palmer, Elliot S. Berke, and Reid Stuntz, and Philip Kiko (former senior congressional staffers) at 26. See United States v. Rayburn House Office Bldg., Room 2113, No. Fax: (202) 225-2908 By the time of the Constitutional Convention, the privilege embodied in the Speech or Debate Clause was recognized as an important protection of the independence and integrity of the legislature, United States v. Johnson, 383 U.S. 169, 178, 86 S.Ct. at 45. of Hr'g, June 16, 2006, at 35; see Appellant's Br. at 10. Contrary to the Executive's understanding on appeal, it is incorrect to suggest that Congressman Jefferson's position is that he was entitled to prior notice of the search warrant before its execution, without regard to the Executive's interests in law enforcement. Studio B Unlike the Brown & Williamson dicta, Gravel's discussion of the Clause's applicability to Members should direct our analysis. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. This content is provided for the users convenience and is consistent with the stated purpose of this website. Rayburn Foyer. Although the presence of FBI agents executing a search warrant in a Member's office necessarily disrupts his routine, the alternative procedure proposed by Rep. Jefferson-sealing the office and permitting him to first label his records (paper and electronic) as privileged and unprivileged-would no doubt take much more of his time. Phone: 202-224-3121 See Appellant's Br. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Today, Congressman McCarthy, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, along with 16 of his colleagues in the House, sent a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins in support of grant funding to help move a Valley Fever diagnostic tool into primary care settings, such as the family doctors office. When all of the brush is cleared away, this case presents a simple question: can Executive Branch personnel-here, special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-execute a search warrant directed to the congressional office of a Member of the Congress (Member) without doing violence to the Speech or Debate Clause (Clause) set forth in Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution? Indeed, the Congressman, his attorney, and counsel for the House of Representatives were denied entry into Room 2113 once the FBI arrived. See United States v. Dorcely, 454 F.3d 366, 375 (D.C.Cir.2006) (carefully considered language of the Supreme Court, even if technically dictum, generally must be treated as authoritative (quoting Sierra Club v. EPA, 322 F.3d 718, 724 (D.C.Cir.2003))). 2113, Washington, D.C. 20515, 434 F.Supp.2d 3 (D.D.C.2006). We agree, for the Executive retains in its possession seized materials, including complete copies of every computer hard drive in Room 2113, which contain legislative material.3 See City of Erie v. Pap's A.M., 529 U.S. 277, 287, 120 S.Ct. H-137 Hallway The Rayburn Room is a large reception room at the United States Capitol where members of Congress can meet with press or constituents. The Court has made clear, however, in the context of a grand jury investigation, that [t]he Speech or Debate Clause was designed to assure a co-equal branch of the government wide freedom of speech, debate, and deliberation without intimidation or threats from the Executive Branch. Gravel v. United States, 408 U.S. 606, 616, 92 S.Ct. Although in Gravel the Court held that the Clause embraces a testimonial privilege, id. United States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683, 94 S.Ct. 1813, 44 L.Ed.2d 324 (1975)), the court rejected the view that the testimonial immunity of the Speech or Debate Clause applies only when Members or their aides are personally questioned: Documentary evidence can certainly be as revealing as oral communications-even if only indirectly when, as here, the documents in question do not detail specific congressional actions. This markup took place in 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. This blocky monolith occupying an entire city square on Washington, D.C.s Capitol Hill is the Rayburn building, built in the 1960s as new office space for the House of Representatives. Its design frequently evokes soliloquies on monstrous, soul deadening, and fascist architecture. See Appellee's Br. The warrant was lawfully issued because it does not seek evidence of [a] legislative act generally done in Congress in relation to the business before it, United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501, 512, 92 S.Ct. This blocky monolith occupying an entire city square on Washington, D.C.s The warrant includes special procedures in order to minimize the likelihood that any potentially politically sensitive, non-responsive items in the Office will be seized by identify[ing] information that may fall within the purview of the Speech or Debate Clause or any other pertinent privilege. Warrant Aff. WebThe entrance to the Rayburn House Office Building is on Independence Avenue. The following day, the President of the United States directed the Attorney General, acting through the Solicitor General, to preserve and seal the records and to make sure no use was made of the materials and that no one had access to them; this directive would expire on July 9, 2006. 783 (The privilege of legislators to be free from arrest or civil process for what they do or say in legislative proceedings has taproots in the Parliamentary struggles of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries.). 919 (1913) (under Fifth Amendment [a] party is privileged from producing the evidence, but not from its production). Letter from Robert P. Trout, supra note 2. Room No. For example, in Brewster, a case involving the criminal prosecution of a Member, the Supreme Court described the violation of the Clause that occurred in United States v. Johnson, 383 U.S. 169, 86 S.Ct. at 420. Cf. Every Library of Congress visitor must reserve timed-entry passes in order to maintain safe capacity levels in the Thomas Jefferson Building. This procedure is significantly different even from those the Executive has on occasion afforded to other privileges not protected in the Constitution; for example, in United States v. Search of Law Office, 341 F.3d 404, 407 (5th Cir.2003), the privilege holder was allowed an opportunity to identify documents protected under the attorney-client privilege at the point the search was completed. The email address cannot be subscribed. Further, the court noted, citing Eastland, 421 U.S. at 509, that when the privilege applies it is absolute. The compelled disclosure of legislative materials to FBI agents executing the search warrant was not unintentional but deliberate-a means to uncover responsive non-privileged materials. The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tours are available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unlike the Congressman's request for the return of legislative materials protected by the Speech or Debate Clause, the further claim for the return of all non-privileged materials is not independent of the criminal prosecution against him, especially if the legality of the search will be a critical issue in the criminal trial. According to the brief for the Executive, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General directed an immediate freeze on any review of the seized materials. If you have any difficulty viewing any page with adaptive technology, please contact us so that we can improve this website. As such, if the touchstone is interference with legislative activities, then the nature of the use to which documents will be put-testimonial or evidentiary-is immaterial. Id. House Galleries: When the House is in session, the Galleries will be open to Members of Congress who personally escort guests to the Galleries. The distinction is what these fourteen pages discuss. According to the affidavit, these procedures were designed: (1) to minimize the likelihood that any potentially politically sensitive, non-responsive items in the Office will be seized and provided to the [p]rosecution [t]eam, Thibault Aff. Such a rule would also presumably apply to surveillance of a Member or staffer who might discuss legislative matters with another Member or staffer. Id. Yet, to the extent the majority reads Brown & Williamson to limit Gravel to process served on a congressional aide during a criminal investigation of a third party, that reading mischaracterizes both Brown & Williamson and Gravel. o Longworth Take elevators to the basement level and follow signs to Cannon or Rayburn. Given this purpose, we concluded that the Clause permit[s] Congress to insist on the confidentiality of investigative files and therefore barred enforcement of the subpoena. ), vacated on other grounds, 519 U.S. 1, 117 S.Ct. Gallery passes are required to enter the Senate galleries and may be obtained through your Senators office by visiting the Senate Appointment Desk after entering the building through security screening. Office of Congressional Accessibility Services: Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.1. The version of the Clause adopted by the Founders closely resembles the language adopted in the English Bill of Rights of 1689, which came out of the long struggle for governmental supremacy between the English monarchs and the Parliament, during which the criminal and civil law were used to intimidate legislators. at 37. at 420-21. at 420, and thereby potentially defeating the Clause's purpose to insulate Members of Congress from distractions that divert their time, energy, and attention from their legislative tasks, id. 2531. WebOffice Room Phone Committee Assignment; D'Esposito, Anthony: New York 4th : R : 1508 See Appellant's Br. Please vist Alert DC at alert.dc.gov to sign up. 2113 (Rayburn), 432 F.Supp.2d 100, 116 (D.D.C.2006) (A federal judge is not a mere rubber stamp in the warrant process, but rather an independent and neutral official sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution.). 1153 (1952) (Jackson, J., concurring)). at 421. Visit the tools page for links to free downloads. Still, the speech or debate privilege was designed to preserve legislative independence, not supremacy. United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501, 508, 92 S.Ct. Hours: M-F 9:00am-6:00pm. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. 8. Committees Committee and Subcommittee Assignments. 1382, 146 L.Ed.2d 265 (2000); see also Legal Assistance for Vietnamese Asylum Seekers v. Dep't of State, 74 F.3d 1308, 1311 (D.C.Cir. Id. The property owner is not required to respond either orally or by physically producing the property, including records. 1 The limited United States Supreme Court precedent regarding the applicability of the Clause in the criminal context makes one thing clear-the Clause does not purport to confer a general exemption upon Members of Congress from liability or process in criminal cases. Clearly a remedy in this case must show particular respect to the fact that the Speech or Debate Clause reinforces the separation of powers and protects legislative independence. Fields v. Office of Eddie Bernice Johnson, 459 F.3d 1, 8 (D.C.Cir.2006) (en banc) (collecting cases). at 179. Leader McCarthy and Congressman Schweikert Host Valley Fever Roundtable, McCarthy and Schweikert Introduce Historic Valley Fever Legislation, McCarthy, Schweikert Request FDA Action on Valley Fever Drug and Vaccine Development, Valley Fever Task Force Co-Chairs Schweikert, McCarthy Celebrate Valley Fever Awareness Week in AZ, Rep. McCarthy, Sen. McSally, Rep. Schweikert, and Bipartisan, Bicameral Leaders Introduce FORWARD Act to Combat Valley Fever, Leader McCarthy and the House Valley Fever Task Force Support Immuno-Mycologics, Inc.s Bid for Grant Funding. The question of whether the seized evidence must be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment is not before us. Brown & Williamson, 62 F.3d at 416. at 528. 2. 1019 (1951), and [t]aking a bribe is, obviously, no part of the legislative process or function; it is not a legislative act, Brewster, 408 U.S. at 526, 92 S.Ct. Open 7:30a.m. 5:00 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays. at 419, the court concluded that document production threatened to distract the two Members from their legislative duties, see id. 138, and they shall not be involved in the pending prosecution or other charges arising from the investigation described in the warrant affidavit other than as regards responsiveness, id. Open to the public Monday Friday, 7:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. (Doors close at 6:30 p.m. when Senate is in recess). at 512, 92 S.Ct. Id. at 38. 9. The question on appeal is whether the procedures under which the search was conducted were sufficiently protective of the legislative privilege created by the Speech or Debate Clause, Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution. 436 (1948), and, upon that official's finding of probable cause, the warrant authorizes Government officers to seize evidence without requiring enforcement through the courts, United States v. Miller, 425 U.S. 435, 446 n. 8, 96 S.Ct. 3405, 82 L.Ed.2d 677 (1984), is relevant to the extent the Congressman invokes deterrence as a rationale for the remedy he seeks under Rule 41(g). Finally, the government repeatedly emphasizes the consequences for law enforcement if a non-disclosure rule is recognized in the criminal context. at 659. In re Search of Rayburn House Ofice Bldg. Yet, as the district court noted, the difference between a warrant and a subpoena is of critical importance here. Rayburn, 432 F.Supp.2d at 111. Our task is to determine how to reconcile the scope of the protection that is afforded to a Member of Congress under the Speech or Debate Clause with the Executive's Article II responsibilities for law enforcement. Gravel makes unmistakably clear that a Member-not just a staffer-is subject to criminal liability and process, see, e.g., Gravel, 408 U.S. at 626, 92 S.Ct. at 1. ", "Appeals Court: Raid on Jefferson's Office Violated Constitution", General George Washington Resigning His Commission, First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, George Washington and the Revolutionary War Door, Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rayburn_House_Office_Building&oldid=1109268358. at 660. at 14, 62-63, that no FBI agent or other Executive agent has seen any electronic document that, upon adjudication of the Congressman's claim of privilege, may be determined by the district court to be privileged legislative material. These non-case agents' reviewed the records in Rep. Jefferson's office only to determine if they [were] responsive to the list of items in the warrant, thereafter deliver[in] the seized records to the Filter Teams. Rayburn Horseshoe Entrance In re 3021 6th Ave. N., Billings, MT v. United States, 237 F.3d 1039, 1041 (9th Cir.2001). Indeed, this unique moment in our nation's history is largely of the Representative's own making. See In re Search of Law Office, 341 F.3d at 414 & n. 49 (holding that district court must find at the very least, a substantial showing of irreparable harm in order to suppress seized evidence under Rule 41(e), citing G.M. Presidents are identified in bold. Id. Rayburn was completed in early 1965 and is home to the offices of 169 representatives. at 659-61 (relying on Brown & Williamson because [t]he Supreme Court has not spoken).2 But Brown & Williamson's brief comments regarding the Clause in the criminal context-which comments importantly acknowledge the Clause's less categorical scope in that context3 -REMAIN DICTA NO MATter how profound. maj. op. Its shield does not extend beyond what is necessary to preserve the integrity of the legislative process, Brewster, 408 U.S. at 517, and it does not prohibit inquiry into illegal conduct simply because it has some nexus to legislative functions, id. The Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2322 RHOB (Energy and Commerce Committee) In order to maximize accessibility, this site has been designed to conform with: House.gov includes code and content provided by third parties. The Capitol Subway System, an underground transportation system, connects the building to the Capitol. at 626. That candor is the animating purpose of the Clause is plain from the historical roots of the privilege. 2. There is no indication that the Executive did not act based on a good faith interpretation of the law, as reflected in the district court's prior approval and later defense of the special procedures set forth in the warrant affidavit. Maj. Op. 62 F.3d at 419-20 (distinguishing Gravel's criminal context from civil subpoena). [6] The legality of the raid was challenged in court, where a federal appeals court ruled that the FBI had violated the Speech or Debate clause of the United States Constitution by allowing the executive branch to review materials that were part of the legislative process.[7]. Rayburn House Office Building - Main entrance, horseshoe drive off South Capitol Street. The investigation included speaking with the Congressman's staff, one of whom had advised that records relevant to the investigation remained in the congressional office. 2614.7 Nevertheless, my colleagues conclude that the holding in Brown & Williamson, see 62 F.3d at 418-21, establishes that the disclosure of legislative material during the execution of a search warrant, Maj. Op. Steak n Shake is located adjacent to the Rayburn Cafeteria. Open to the public Monday Friday, 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m.(Doors close at 5:00 p.m. when House is in recess)Senate Office Buildings (Dirksen, Hart, Russell) 2614 (Clause does not privilege either Senator or aide to violate an otherwise valid criminal law in preparing for or implementing legislative acts (emphasis added)), so that Brown & Williamson's reference to Gravel's sensitivities to the existence of criminal proceedings against persons other than Members of Congress does no more than describe the Gravel facts, Brown & Williamson, 62 F.3d at 419. The southwest tunnel is currently closed as part of a major 10-year renovation of the Cannon House Office Building. Visit https://www.usbg.govfor more information about visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden. 78dd-2(a); Counts 12-14, Money Laundering, 18 U.S.C. The Filter Teams consisted of FBI agents with no prior role or connection to the investigation of Rep. Jefferson and whose roles in the investigation [were] confined to review [ing] the records seized from the Office to validate that they are responsive to the list contained in the warrant. at 524-25 (reasoning that financial abuses by way of bribes, perhaps even more than Executive power, would gravely undermine legislative integrity and defeat the right of the public to honest representation). The Clause provides that for any Speech or Debate in either House [t]he Senators and Representatives shall not be questioned in any other Place. U.S. Const. The Congressman contends that the exercise of his privilege under the Clause must precede the disclosure of the contents of his congressional office to agents of the Executive and that any violation of the privilege requires return of all of the seized materials. In essence, therefore, what the Clause promotes is the Member's ability to be open in debate-free from interference or restriction-rather than any secrecy right. Materials determined by the filter team not to be privileged would be turned over to the prosecution team, with copies to the Congressman's attorney within ten business days of the search. See, e.g., Brown & Williamson, 62 F.3d at 416.4. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Republicans 2321 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-6371 Fax: 202-226-0113 Gravel's holding that the Clause does not immunize Senator or aide from testifying at trials or grand jury proceedings involving third-party crimes is replete with observations that the Clause provides no protection for criminal conduct performed at the direction of the [Member] or done without his knowledge by an aide. By creating the Filter Teams and [b]y requiring judicial approval before any arguably privileged documents could be shared with the prosecution team, the search procedures as a whole eliminated any realistic possibility that evidence of Rep. Jefferson's legislative acts would be used against him. Appellee's Br. 2531, 33 L.Ed.2d 507 (1972) (emphasis added). May 20-21, 2006 was the first time a sitting Member's congressional office has been searched by the Executive. The question remains what the appropriate remedy is under Rule 41(g) for a violation of the Speech or Debate Clause. The search of Congressman Jefferson's office must have resulted in the disclosure of legislative materials to agents of the Executive. The district court denied a stay on July 19, 2006. Rayburn was completed in early 1965 and is home to the offices of 169 representatives. Earlier efforts to provide space for the House of Representatives had included the construction of the Cannon House Office Building and the Longworth House Office Building. 2614, to the existence of criminal proceedings against persons other than Members of Congress at least suggest that the testimonial privilege might be less stringently applied when inconsistent with a sovereign interest. Brown & Williamson, 62 F.3d at 419-20. 2123 RHOB (Energy and Commerce Committee) More comprehensive informationincluding assistive listening devices, public TTY locations, tour details, service animals, family restrooms, and a shuttle to Capitol Visitor Centeris available from the Architect of the Capitol.

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