Ed Morrissey

Perhaps I'm missing something, but how would the Speech and Debate Clause shield text messages from Egyptian officials? The Constitution protects speech and debate by members of Congres, and even then only when Congress is in session. 

Besides, the elements of bribery don't necessarily include execution of the quid pro quo. If Menendez took assets of value in exchange for promises of corrupt action, that's all that prosecutors would need to prove the charge. The alleged promises went farther than just setting up meetings, as in the case of Bob McDonnell. If prosecutors can prove that through non-privileged communications, I fail to see how the Speech and Debate clause matters all that much.