More political suspects using shield law

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- FBI investigations of alleged corruption by U.S. lawmakers are being hampered by the politicians' use of a shield law, observers say.

The so-called speech or debate clause gives broad protection to lawmakers so wiretaps that include information related to the development of legislation, floor votes and strategy are often inadmissible in developing a criminal case. Critics say lawmakers suspected of taking bribes are abusing the privilege, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Investigations of such current and former member of Congress as Reps. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., William Jefferson, D-La., Tom Delay, R-Texas, and John Doolittle, R-Calif., have slowed to a crawl because of their evidentiary challenges based on the shield law, a watchdog group says.

"It's the biggest issue in federal corruption prosecutions," Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Post. "If courts continue to expand the breadth of the clause, we are likely to see more bribery and other illegal conduct by legislators go unpunished."

Renzi's use of the shield law got a boost this week when House leadership asked permission to file a brief supporting at least some of his arguments, the newspaper said.