[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AUTHORIZING PRODUCTION OF RECORDS

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 135, 
submitted earlier today by Senators Lott and Daschle.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 135) to authorize the production of 
     records by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, the Committee on Rules and Administration 
has received requests from various law enforcement entities for copies 
of committee records related to the committee's inquiry into the 1996 
Louisiana U.S. Senate election. The committee anticipates future 
similar requests.
  In accord with standard Senate practice, this resolution would 
authorize the Rules Committee to provide committee records in response 
to these requests.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; that the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements 
relating to the resolution appear at the appropriate place in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 135) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, and its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 135

       Whereas, federal, state, and local law enforcement 
     officials have requested that the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration provide them with copies of records held by 
     the committee related to the 1996 United States Senate 
     election in Louisiana;
       Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United 
     States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no 
     evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate 
     can, by administrative or judicial process, be taken from 
     such control or possession but by permission of the Senate;
       Whereas, when it appears that documents, papers, and 
     records under the control or in the possession of the Senate 
     may promote the administration of justice, the Senate will 
     take such action as will promote the ends of justice 
     consistently with the privileges of the Senate: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Committee on Rules and Administration, 
     either through formal action or by joint action of the 
     Chairman and Ranking Member, is authorized to provide to 
     federal, state, and local law enforcement officials copies of 
     records held by the committee related to the 1996 United 
     States Senate election in Louisiana.

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