House leaders voiced their support for the Constitution's "speech or debate clause" -- a provision designed to protect members of congress from being arrested for their legislative activities -- in a brief filed Monday in the case of outgoing Arizona GOP Rep. Rick Renzi. Renzi, who is accused of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering, says the government collected evidence against him using an illegal wiretap order that taped conversations between him, aides, and other members of congress. He is one of a string of legislators, including Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson and Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, to use this as defense. (CQ Politics)huh???
[ cf The Daily Muck (emphasis mine)]
Rats, Ship, Elvis has left the building???