Obama likely to name Hillary Clinton to Cabinet. But wait! Can he?

The president-elect, no-drama Barack Obama, is expected to name his new secretary of State, all-drama Hillary Clinton, as early as tomorrow as part of the week's rollout for his national security team.

But can he?

As pointed out by a number of bloggers in recent hours, including our eloquent friend Susan over at Wake Up America, there's a clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article One, Section Six) that prohibits senators (or representatives) from taking a civil office if the legislator has voted to increase the pay for that job.

"No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

A president-elect who's a former part-time constitutional law professor, even one without his BlackBerry, presumably is aware of this prohibition, obviously designed to prevent double-dipping and raising your own salary, which is only allowed in Wall Street banks.

And Obama surely knows of its historical precedents.

And if Obama makes the appointment of his former bitter rival, she'll no doubt take office as the point person for U.S. foreign policy.

But the appointment of the loser of the Democratic presidential nomination by the winner of that nomination and of the subsequent general election wouldn't be properly Clintonian without some extra dramatic flourishes. This is likely only the beginning of such chapters.

Apparently, President Nixon ran into the same problem when he wanted to appoint Ohio's Republican Sen. William Saxbe as attorney general.

The solution back then, since dubbed the "Saxbe fix," was for Congress to pass another law (not without some outspoken dissent from Democratic senators, by the way) reducing the AG's pay so Saxbe wouldn't benefit financially from the higher salary he'd previously voted on.

Similar fixes occurred when President Jimmy Carter named Edmund Muskie secretary of State and H. Clinton's own husband Bill named Lloyd Bentsen to head Treasury.

So much for the actual money aspect and strict construction.

We're not lawyers. But we do speak English. And to our eyes that constitutional clause doesn't say anything about getting around the provision by reducing or not benefiting from the increase of said "Emoluments."

It flat-out prohibits taking the civil office if the pay has been increased during the would-be appointee's elected term. Period. Which it has.

This seems more like a TV scriptwriter's trick to keep everyone hanging around through the commercials starting tomorrow.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Woody]

Why would the rules or facts stop the least experienced, natural born Kenyan President elect from doing what he wants?

[Maezeppa]

"...that constitutional clause doesn't say anything about getting around the provision by reducing or not benefiting from the increase of said "Emoluments."

True but the fix is not absurd, is reasonable and in keeping with the INTENT of the clausel

[Kevin Doheny]

Lighten up Andrew. We're in it WAY over our heads and Hillary is the best person for the position. She'll make an outstanding Secretary of State. While the point of the constitutional clause is well taken, it cannot be treated as an absolute, since we all know that Hillary wouldn't be taking the job for the money. Hence the Saxbe Fix.
Also, regarding your article in general.....I find it amusing that you would accuse Hillary of being "dramatic" and the scenario being akin to a "screenwriter's trick".....when part of the title of your article is "But wait! Can He?" Talk about DRAMA and trying to draw people in to "hang around" for your article. Hypocrite, party of one, your table is ready!

[Donald Richards]

Since when has ANYONE in Washington ever cared what the Constitution says?

Obama can always just follow the Bush mantra; "by executive order" to do whatever is desired, without concern for pesky things like the Constitution!

[L. J. Wetzel]

SInce the precedent has been set, as the writer describes, that in itself assures that Obama can appoint Clinton to the post of Secretary of State. This is one of the ways that laws get changed in this country. Somebody decides the law is not equitable, as in the case of the null jury, and the law is not applied. Judges who decide the law in question in a trial is not fair will do the same, and then eventually the case law is cited, and the law is changed in that way. Legislation is not the only way that laws are changed in the USA>

[Patrice]

' "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

It flat-out prohibits taking the civil office if the pay has been increased during the would-be appointee's elected term. Period. '

ACTUALLY - It says that a Senator or Representative cannot be appointed to a US civil office DURING THE TIME FOR WHICH HE WAS ELECTED if the office was created or pay increased during that time.

There is law, and then there is "case law" in which the intent of the original law is considered so that the laws may be applied judiciously. (And not ridiculously.)

It seems fairly obvious that the original law was written to prevent someone from creating a great job at a fabulous salary, and then getting themselves appointed to it.

Hillary Clinton certainly has not spent the past decades hoping to become Secretary of State. She didn't increase the salary of that office in the hopes that she would eventually get that job. It would be logical, and judicious, then to apply the law with regard to its original intent.

[J. Pressley]

The argument at the end of the article is absurd. If anyone read the Constitution that way, it'd be a useless document. The fact is, if the Constitution says something, then a law is passed getting around it, it's the job of the Supreme Court to determine if the law is in the spirit of what the Constitution intends. Obviously, the Saxbe fix is in that spirit according to your own (and the most reasonable) interpretation of why the Constitution says what it says in the first place. Why would you then read the clause in such a literal manner, two paragraphs later? My sense is that, mostly, there's no drama and you're digging deep to find it.

[roger lehnert]

how utterly ridiculous. to say the two jobs are comparable with no increased compensation seems to run from the ridiculous to the sublime. pay her overtime at time and one half and have her punch in a time card every day. roger

[Raymond DuVall]

In broad terms, the framers of the Constitution did not believe in "strict adherence" to the document, otherwise they would never have allowed amendments to be added. They also never conceptualized a time of professional politicians either. The constitution is a "living document" the principles of which need to be applied to present situations. Since there is ample evidence of both parties working around the situation to put who they think is "the best person for the job" in place, why bring the point up?

[marty]

Despite his nickname, no-drama Obama, this Hillary nom has been unsettling from the get-go. At first, I thought he planned to put her forward for SOS as a gesture only, knowing that she would fail to get the nod in the appointment hearings because of something the Obama people know about Bill Clintons "donors" that he has previously refused to release (there must be a reason). But your bringing this constitutional issue to light may also be the "Sorry, Hill; we tried" that the Obama team is planning on. Hillary is NOT the best choice for Obama; she did vote for Iraq, after all. And the questions of aggression or diplomacy are what the Secretary of State represents to the world as the face of the Obama administration. Obama can do better than Hillary.

[Raymond DuVall]

In broad terms, the framers of the Constitution did not believe in "strict adherence" to the document, otherwise they would never have allowed amendments to be added. They also never conceptualized a time of professional politicians either. The constitution is a "living document" the principles of which need to be applied to present situations. Since there is ample evidence of both parties working around the situation to put who they think is "the best person for the job" in place, why bring the point up?

[Rich]

I don't get it... Why is it that Congress can vote themselves a nice hefty raise every time the wind changes direction? Whatever happened to FOR THE PEOPLE... BY THE PEOPLE???

[Dan]

This article smacks of a strong bias against Obama. If Clinton doesn't personally benefit from the increase what is the issue? Hmmm.... Can you answer that one? I doubt it... Intent is key, the rule was to prevent public officials from raising their own salary; her salary won't be raised, issue resolved.

[Joe T.]

The Constitution prevents it? You mean that quaint little document that presidents 'used to' have to follow? That was until way back before the 43rd president, the 'W', ignored it at will. And since Congress failed to object to his actions, in the only way that would legally matter, by opening impeachment hearings on him, then the precedent was set and the President can now do whatever he wants.

So, unless Pelosi grows a pair of brass ones immediately, then Article One, Section Six won't be keeping Hillary out of the SoS spot. Of course congress will probably put in a 'Saxbe fix" for the sake of appearances anyway. Hillary certainly won't need the money from the job considering what Bill rakes in selling his influence around the globe.

[perspicio]

So you're going to fuss about the letter of the law even if the spirit is honored?

Contemptible.

[H Krishna]

Well, if she resigns the day before she is appointed to the cabinet, she technically stops being a senator, and the prohibition will no longer apply to her. How about that?

[REX]

Double dipping and raising one's own salary only allowed on wall street.... Where have you been? The senate and congress now have free cars, free gas, free postage annuities for their families, an amazing pension and even more amazing health care. The salaries are just place markers, lets get into inside information, special interest contributions from OFFSHORE hey dude look around, ask Pelosi about the land from the base in CA, (presidio) it's all smoke big guy and you are being taken in.....

[Leon A Dacis]

The Senate leadership will do whatever it takes to get rid of Hillary. Remember, she was after Reid's job. I bet a nickle Obama was given a senatorial blank check if he would take HRC off their hands. But when she takes over State she'll walk into a ready-made power base. She'll have her own quasi-presidency over there. She'll get the biggest jet she can lay her hands on, decorate it lavishly, and fly all over the world. Meanwhile, Bill can get even more millions out of third world thugs because his wife is no longer a common senator. In real power, the Secretary of State is second only to the president. She'll be working the front end of the deals and Bill will be collecting the money on the back end. She'll do whatever she likes because Obama lacks the 'nads to stop her.

[Debbi]

Why are you also not reporting that Obama may not be eligible to be president until he shows us his real birth certificate. He may not have been born a natural born US citizen, he has refused to provide his real birth certificate and yet nobody in the media is covering it!!!

[therockofages]

Another 4 years of ignoring the rule of law and the United States Constitution? Please tell me it isn't so. If Democrats were not such raving hypocrites, this might even be entertaining.

[perspicio]

So you're going to fuss about the letter of the law even if the spirit is honored?

Contemptible.

[Brian Schend]

Oh, c'mon. So whenever the senate and congress raise pay rates for the cabinet, all the qualified people are disqualified no matter what? Do you really believe that is what the founding fathers intended? Gimme a break. The Saxbe fix is just fine.

[Judith]

I hope he dose not name Xlinton to this post, I think it would be a very big mistake for both him and Biden...And above all this country..

[jason]

Since when do any rules apply to people in politics. It seems everyone in politics is more about bending and breaking rues for personal gain.

I'm glad americans thought they were getting a stand up president but it sounds like he'll be bending the rules and breaking them before he even takes over...NICE

I guess most americans will turn a blind eye to wonderboy, but in reality we are in a time in america when people need to stand up and say enough is enough. If we allow this constant rule bending, our country with continue to spiral based on no longer have morals, ethics, or rules. Rules are meant to be applied and followed and I'd expect the president to be to understand those things the best.

If this is how Wonderboy starts then I'd like to know what we as americans have to look forward to? 4 years of bending or breaking rules or will he actually be a stand up guy and do the right thing.

I know a site we can get clown noses cheap!!!

[FactCheck]

"from taking a civil office if the legislator has voted to increase the pay for that job." The law is ANY increase while that person was a member of congress.

So lets say if the raise came from an Executive Order (which it did), Clinton would still not be allowed to take the job. Also, if it was a vote in congress and she voted AGAINST it, she still wouldn't be allowed to take it.