Secret sessions of Congress are at all times a threat to our democracy. The Horrible Truth of Congressional Secret SessionsBy Cliff Montgomery – Apr. 2nd, 2008Secret sessions of Congress are pretty rare these days, but they are at all times a threat to our democracy. Such private deliberations among our “representatives” keep the American people from engaging in discussions effecting us all.And as we reveal below, secret sessions often have had more to do with partisan politics than any supposed concern over ‘matters of security’.We quote below from the May 25th, 2007 Congressional Research Service (CRS) study entitled, “Secret Sessions of the House and Senate”:” ‘Secret,’ or ‘closed,’ sessions of the House and Senate exclude the press and the public. They are held to discuss business such as Senate deliberations during impeachment trials, issues of national security, and sensitive communications received from the President, all deemed to require confidentiality and secrecy.”During a secret session, the doors of the chamber are closed. The chamber and its galleries are cleared of all individuals except Members and those officers and employees specified in the rulesor essential to the session.”Secret sessions occur infrequently. Any Member of Congress may request one, although there is usually agreement in advance among Members.History and Current Practice“The Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention met in secret. The Senate met in secret until 1794, its first rules reflecting a belief that the body’s various special roles, including providing advice and consent to the executive branch, compelled it to conduct its business behind closed doors.”The Senate’s executive sessions (to consider nominations and treaties) were not opened until 1929. Since 1929, the Senate has held 54 secret sessions, generally for reasons of national security.”On November 1, 2005, the Senate met behind closed doors to discuss Iraq war intelligence.”Six of the seven most recent secret sessions, however, were held during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.”In 1997, the Senate met in secret to consider the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty and in 1992, to debate the ‘most favored nation’ status of China.”The Senate also closed its doors during the impeachment trial of federal judges in 1933 and 1936 and on six occasions in the 1980s.”The House met frequently in secret session through the end of the War of 1812, and then only in 1825 and in 1830. Since 1830, the House has met behind closed doors only three times: in 1979 to discuss the Panama Canal, in 1980 to discuss Central American assistance, and in 1983 to discuss U.S. support for paramilitary operations in Nicaragua.”Members and staff of both houses are prohibited from divulging information from secret sessions, and all staff are sworn to secrecy.”Violations of secrecy are punishable by the disciplinary rules of a chamber. A Member may be subject to a variety of punishments, including loss of seniority, fine, reprimand, censure, or expulsion. An officer or employee may be fired or subject to other internal disciplinary actions.Transcripts“The proceedings of a secret session are not published unless the relevant chamber votes, during the meeting or at a later time, to release them. Then, those portions released are printed in the Congressional Record.”If the House decides not to release a transcript, it is ultimately transferred to the clerk of the House for transmittal to the archivist of the United States for preservation at the National Archives and Records Administration. The transcripts may be made available to the public after 30 years (Rule VII, clauses 3 and 4).”If the Senate does not approve release of a secret session transcript, the transcript is stored in the Office of Senate Security and ultimately sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. The proceedings remain sealed until the Senate votes to remove the injunction of secrecy.”And we feel compelled to add these telling footnotes from the report:“On January 8, 1999, the Senate Democratic and Republican Conferences held a rare joint, secret meeting in the old Senate chamber to discuss the procedure for the pending impeachment trial of…President [Bill Clinton], but this was not a formal, secret session of the Senate.”There have been several recent, unsuccessful attempts to force the House to hold a secret session. On September 26, 2006, the House voted not to go into a secret session to discuss an assessment of the war in Iraq. […]”On May 10, 2007, the House rejected three different motions to hold a secret session during the debate on the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
How Necessary Laws Are Killed These Days
Lawmakers generally only fight to protect the things they care about – and all too often, that just doesn’t include the lives of most of their constituents.
