While the House was debating the auto bailout bill last night, the Senate was papering over the Constitutional hurdles to Hillary Clinton’s appointment as Secretary of State:
The Senate quickly and quietly approved a measure Wednesday evening that will help ensure Hillary Clinton becomes the next Secretary of State.
By a voice vote, the chamber approved a resolution reducing the Secretary of State’s pay to its January 2007 level. The unusual move was necessary to comply with the obscure emoluments clause of the Constitution, which prohibits a member of Congress from being appointed to positions that saw a pay increase during that lawmaker’s tenure.
After anticipated House passage, Clinton’s confirmation will be on track in the Senate for early next year.
Strictly speaking, I think it’s fairly clear that this so-called Saxbe fix is not sufficient to remove the Constitutional bar to Hillary’s eligibility; however, it’s fairly clear that, practically speaking, it is not going to pose a bar to her serving as Secretary of State.
Simply put, no Federal Court Judge is going to say that Barack Obama cannot have the Secretary of State of his choice.
H/T: California Yankee
Our Constitution is being ignored, once again. How much longer will our Bill of Rights be defended?
[...] Last week, Congress addressed the Constitutional problems with Hillary Clinton’s nomination as Secretary of State by reducing the salary for the position to get around the Emolument’s Clause. [...]
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