On yesterday's Randi Rhodes radio show, she gave considerable time and energy to this little-used power that Congress possesses-- a power that would quickly put to rest the asinine stonewalling that surrounds the White House.
The way it was described on the radio, "Inherent Contempt" requires a simple majority in the House to invoke, after which the House Sargent-at-Arms would make an arrest of the offending person, be it Harriet Miers or Sara Parker or Karl Rove, bring the person directly to the floor of the House (there is no provision for a bathroom break!), and immediately begin a trial ON THE HOUSE FLOOR. There are no delays, no continuances. If the offending person is found guilty or further refuses to testify, she or he is sent directly to jail, with no ability to appeal.
Now, that is what I'd call "using the power" of the Congress. And this power is known to legal scholars and attorneys of both major parties, and if memory serves correctly, was last invoked in the 1930s. If brought up on the House floor, the measure would not be subject to filibuster, and would not need a super-majority to enact cloture. A vote for "Inherent Contempt" would be placed before Congress, and if passed, would authorize the Sargent-at-Arms to proceed with an arrest IMMEDIATELY.
The only thing wrong with this picture is the strong sense of denial that the House even possesses this power. That the Dems develop an awareness that they can actually DO SOMETHING would require some might painful pinching of themselves.
But it appears that this is the sole barrier to bringing the principles of so many scandals within the White House to testify before a determined, resolute Democratic Congress.
If other legal or Constitutional barriers exist (there are truckloads full of political barriers, no doubt), please post them here.
Update:
Looks like we have a similar diary on the "recent" list. My apologies are in order; however, this shorter version gets the point across more quickly.