You're a freaking congressperson sworn to represent the people of the united states.
If something bad is being done, it's YOUR responsibility to "step up" not someone else's.
BTW what the hell is with the NSA calling it the "Black Star" - is that some sick joke about the death star destroying worlds? So the rebels took out the death star with the exhaust port - does that mean the Black Star can be taken offline by the A/C units?
By telling us that 1) Snowdon is true, 2) Snowdon was a very small cog and doesn't realise the extent of it all, she's going further than all others at that briefing, and hopefully encouraging more whistleblowers to step up (and ruin their own lives).
What is your support for this?
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
[1] http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section6
More seriously (I hope) that does sound like it should be sufficient protection and I'd love to see her exercise it.
Only a small part of what Snowdon leaked is public yet.
There are two separate parts:
1. While they are attending a session they can't be arrested, and
2. They can't be held accountable in any other forum based on the content of any speech or debate in either House.
The exception for for treason, felonies, and "breach of peace" applies to the first; the second, is an absolute, unqualified immunity, and, as applied by the Supreme Court, applies to all "legislative acts", which includes quite a bit that is not physically on the floor during a general session of the House.
It requires not just "aid and comfort" to the enemy, but also "adherence to the enemy" actively waging war against the United States, according to Supreme Court precedent. You cannot accidentally commit treason.
Someone of color trying to attend a state university or even just sitting at the lunch counter with someone white 50 years ago was also very illegal in this country. Doesn't mean it was right no matter how many thought so at the time and all the arguments they gave for it to continue.
... of course, that wouldn't be the end of it, but good gravy would that be messy times.
They would be subject to whatever punishments their fellow Representatives (or Senators) decided to impose (including possibly expulsion).