CONGRESSIONAL IMMUNITY Meaning and
Definition
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Congressional immunity refers to the legal protection granted to members of Congress from being held personally accountable for their actions or statements made in the course of their legislative duties. It is a legal privilege that shields lawmakers from civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution for their actions or speech during official proceedings in the United States Congress.
The concept of congressional immunity is rooted in the constitutional principle of separation of powers, which ensures that members of Congress can carry out their legislative functions without fear of intimidation or coercion from external sources. This immunity enables lawmakers to freely express their opinions, engage in debates or discussions, and vote on legislation without the threat of legal repercussions.
Congressional immunity, also known as legislative immunity or speech or debate clause immunity, is established by the Speech or Debate Clause of the United States Constitution. This clause grants members of Congress immunity from legal actions related to their official legislative activities.
However, it is important to note that congressional immunity is not absolute. It does not protect lawmakers from criminal acts, such as bribery or other public corruption offenses, nor does it shield members of Congress from civil lawsuits pertaining to actions unrelated to their legislative duties. Additionally, congressional immunity only extends to activities carried out within the bounds of legislative duties, and not to personal endeavors or actions conducted outside of their official roles.
Common Misspellings for CONGRESSIONAL IMMUNITY
- xongressional immunity
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Etymology of CONGRESSIONAL IMMUNITY
The term "congressional immunity" is composed of two parts: "congressional" and "immunity".
The term "congressional" refers to "congress", which in this context generally refers to the legislative branch of the government, particularly in the United States. The word "congress" originated from the Latin word "congressus", which means "a coming together" or "a meeting". It is worth noting that the United States Congress is modeled after the British Parliament, where the term "congress" was used to refer to the gathering of the Estates-General in France, not the legislative body itself.
The word "immunity" derives from the Latin word "immunitas", which means "exemption" or "freedom from". In the context of "congressional immunity", it refers to the legal protection or exemption granted to legislators or individuals participating in legislative activities.
