Another Congressional staffer has to appear in court this week — but it’s not an ethics scandal or a corruption case.

Instead, the Senate on Monday authorized Katie Landi, an aide to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), to testify in the D.C. Superior Court against a group of peace activists who were arrested in the Senator’s office in February. [IMGCAP(1)]

According to Ellen Barfield, a self-described “full-time peace and justice activist” from Baltimore, she and a group of protesters “occupied” McCain’s office on Feb. 5 as part of a national campaign to protest the Iraq War by occupying Congressional offices and federal buildings. Most of the group dispersed after a while, but several stayed behind, got arrested, and have to appear in court on Friday on a disorderly conduct charge.

The resolution, approved unanimously on Monday, is a pro forma procedure that is required any time a Senator or chamber staffer is called to testify in any legal proceeding. It allows the person to testify and receive legal assistance if necessary from the Legal Counsel’s office.

— Paul Singer