Repeal Speech or Debate Clause in Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution

Liberty
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Proposed Repeal of the Speech or Debate Clause

Section 6 of Article I of the United States Constitution, concerning the Speech or Debate Clause, is hereby repealed to the extent that it provides immunity for members of Congress from prosecution or legal consequence for knowingly making false statements to the American public in the course of their duties.

This repeal ensures that members of Congress remain accountable to the public for all statements, actions, and communications, both in and out of legislative proceedings. No provision shall shield any member of Congress from legal or ethical scrutiny for deliberately misleading or deceiving the citizens they represent. The integrity of the legislative process and the trust of the American people must be upheld at all times, and this change holds elected officials to the highest standard of honesty and transparency.

Congress should not be granted an absolute privilege to lie with impunity to the American people. Elected officials have a fundamental duty to serve the public with integrity and transparency. Allowing them to lie without consequence erodes trust in government, undermines democratic accountability, and damages the very foundation of public discourse. While freedom of speech is vital, it should not shield representatives from the responsibility to speak truthfully and uphold the public’s right to accurate information. Accountability is key to ensuring that those in power act in the best interest of the nation and its citizens.

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I like the idea of no immunity, forcing honesty, holding accountable.
Two questions… What were the arguments for and against at the time this article was introduced? And how do we insure that this is not used to constantly litigate against our congressman and mire them in legal quagmire? We have seen how lawfare is used to punish political opponents today.

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A congressman trying to spill the beans on the bad guys would just be accused of deliberately lying and convicted by a rigged DC court. Then, when he’s vindicated years later, nothing will happen.

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By removing this immunity, Congress would be held to the same legal standards as other branches of government, fostering a greater sense of integrity and public trust. Additionally, repealing the clause could encourage more honest debate and prevent the shielding of misconduct under the guise of legislative privilege, ultimately strengthening democratic governance by ensuring that no one is above the law.