Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "As is its right" mean?

�As is its right, the Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation of issues into which it has been inquiring for the past year and a half,� he said in his statement. �Indeed, the committee even decided recently to devote more resources to its investigation by hiring an outside counsel even though the issues have been viewed and reviewed by so many others.�
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Hiromichi

[redset]

A right is something you're allowed to do. Technically it's something nobody can stop you from doing (it's not something you need permission for), but let's keep it simple - you can check out the Wikipedia entry if you want to know more!

So the Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation, which it has a right to do. That is its right. (A right the Committee has.)

The sentence might make more sense if I present it this way:

"The Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation, as is its right."
"The Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation, which is its right."
"The Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation. This is its right."

These are all ways of justifying what the Committee is doing.

[hiromichi]

redset:
Thank you for your clear explanation.
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Hiromichi