[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        INTRODUCTION OF THE PRESI- DENTIAL IMMUNITY ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                           HON. CHARLIE ROSE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 1994

  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that will 
provide civil immunity for the President of the United States against 
suits for money damages filed against him or her. This legislation will 
prevent time-consuming, legal harassment that is detrimental to the 
Office of the President, but will not prejudice any individual who has 
a valid lawsuit.
  The election of the President is the ultimate exercise of democracy 
by the American people, and the President must be free to give 
undivided attention to the duties and responsibilities of the office. 
Unwarranted allegations harm the Office of the President. Our Chief 
Executive and Commander in Chief should not be preoccupied with 
arranging defenses to a multitude of lawsuits. The United States is 
best served by a President whose schedule is free of depositions and 
court appearances. The need to defend against even frivolous suits 
takes too great a toll on the President's energies, energies better put 
to use in guiding the Nation through crises abroad and at home.
  The President of the United States, like any public figure, is 
vulnerable to unwarranted and frivolous lawsuits. A President is a 
likely target of headline-seekers and those looking to make a quick 
buck. Such allegations against a sitting President may eventually be 
proven false, or simply disappear, yet damage to the office may remain.
  This is not a partisan issue. Presidents of both parties are just as 
vulnerable to unwarranted allegations and frivolous lawsuits. Every 
President should be free to conduct the business of the Nation without 
fear of this type of harassment.
  My legislation frees the President from legal harassment and allows 
him or her to continue to do the job he or she was elected to do 
without distraction. It immunizes the President from any civil suit for 
money damages filed in any court, State or Federal, until 180 days 
after the President leaves office. Once the former President has 
settled back into private life, the immunity disappears.
  Of course, my legislation does not assume that every lawsuit filed 
against a current or former President is frivolous, and I do not argue 
that any person is above the law. There will be instances where an 
individual has a legitimate complaint against the President. Because 
the period that the immunity applies is not counted as part of any 
statute of limitations, a person with a legitimate lawsuit will not be 
prejudiced by this legislation. He or she can file the suit after the 
immunity no longer applies.
  It is unfortunate that there is a need for this legislation, but 
there is no denying the power of unwarranted lawsuits to dominate 
headlines, ruin reputations, and create distractions. Matters of 
national significance may not receive the attention so very necessary 
for the well-being of this country. For the good of our Nation, I urge 
my colleagues to support this bill.

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