by Nicholas Beaudrot of Electoral Math
In response to my questions about contempt of Congress proceedings, commenters noted that Congress does have the power, presumably by majority vote of a Committee or a whole Chamber, to declare someone in "inherent contempt" and direct the Congressional Seargant-at-Arms to arrest someone. Presumably political considerations should keep Congress from exercising this power willy-nilly, but it seems to have held up as a constitutional procedure. If Sara Taylor, a former executive branch employee, is now trying to get out of testifying because she might have to say bad things about George W. Bush, who she thinks is a really really great guy, then tough cookies. Subpoena translates to "under pain" for a reason; it's not going to pleasant spitting out the truth, but let's get on with it.
