Presidential Pardons Amendment Proposed

[CorpGovActivist]

H.J.RES.48
Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the requirement of the approval of a two-thirds majority of the Supreme Court for any pardon or reprieve granted by the President.
Sponsor: Rep Cohen, Steve (introduced 8/3/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 9/10/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

http://thomas.loc.gov/


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Seems like that would be a public relations winner for the Dems after the Scooter Libby pardon, and with Bush's second term coming to a close (and the predictable slew of pardons it is likely to entail).

- Dave

[MrCoffee]

1. ewwww.....that's a horrible idea

Presidential pardons are the Executive's check over the Judiciary. why on earth would it be a good idea to remove that check?

[rucky]

3. It's a check on the check.

all three branches involved.

But who's checking on who's checking the checker?

[MrCoffee]

4. don't make me body-check you

:rofl: :hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Great idea, but odds are the first President this apply to would be a Democrat

It usually takes years for a constitutional amandment to be ratified.

[rateyes]

5. NOT a good idea. nt

[Gman]

6. The International Criminal Court

will not recognize any pardons Bush issues. Rumsfeld recently fled France as he was about to be arrested for war crimes. There will be no place in the world these people will be able to hide from prosecution for their war crimes.

[tritsofme]

7. Americans are not subject to the ICC's jurisdiction

since we are not a party to the Rome Statute.

What you may be referring to is the phenomenon that many European countries claim "universal jurisdiction" to try people for war crimes.

[BushOut06]

8. Well, don't we do that?

If it's good for the US, it should be good for Europe. I, for one, would love to see Rummy rotting in a European prison.

[tritsofme]

10. It is a very controversial concept

This might give some background:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_jurisdiction

But to be certain, this should be distinguished from the power of the International Criminal Court.

[NYVet]

9. I don't see this making it through the Senate

The House, maybe.
The Senate? Not a Change in Hell.




In fact, this bill has the same change of becoming an amendment as I do of bedding a supermodel.

[mark414]

11. even if it passed, there is no way it would be applicable to a sitting president

sort of like they passed the presidential salary raise while Bill was still in office, but it didn't take effect until Shrub became squatter in chief