Resolution to Rebuke Sensenbrenner

The resolution declares Sensenbrenner “willfully trampled the right of the minority to hold an additional day of hearings,” and “willfully and intentionally violated the Rules of the House by abusing and exceeding his powers as chairman.”

It moves to have the House condemn the Wisconsin’s actions and enjoins the chairman to schedule an additional day of hearings on the Patriot Act.

A furor erupted last week after Sensenbrenner shut off the microphones during a hearing on the Patriot Act, accusing Democrats of raising issues unrelated to the Act such as treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Nadler raised his voice as his microphone was switched off, AP said.

“We are not besmirching the honor of the United States, we are trying to uphold it,” he declared. … More below:

The hearings were held under a rarely-invoked Congressional rule which allows the minority party to call for an additional day of hearings and to choose witnesses if they feel hearings held by the majority party were unsatisfactory.

Nader’s resolution can come to the floor at any time; such a resolution forces a full House vote.