[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING TESTIMONY, PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS, AND SENATE LEGAL 
                         COUNSEL REPRESENTATION

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 137 submitted 
earlier today by Senators Lott and Daschle.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows.

       A resolution (S. Res. 137) to authorize testimony, 
     production of documents and representation of employees of 
     the Senate in the cases of United States versus Tara LaJuan 
     Edwards and United States versus Robbin Tiffani Stoney.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, United States versus Tara LaJuan Edwards and 
United States versus Robbin Tiffani Stoney are two criminal cases set 
for trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, charging 
the defendants, two former Senate employees, with financial misconduct 
during their former Senate employment.
  Three employees of the Secretary of the Senate not implicated in the 
alleged wrongdoing have been subpoenaed by the Government to testify at 
these trials. This resolution would authorize these Senate employees to 
testify, and would also authorize representation of these Senate 
witnesses by the legal counsel. The resolution also would authorize the 
Secretary to release Senate records and documents relevant to these 
cases.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point 
in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 137) and its preamble read as follows:

                              S. Res. 137

       Whereas, in the case of United States v. Tara LaJuan 
     Edwards, Case No. MI2677-97, pending in the Superior Court of 
     the District of Columbia, subpoenas have been issued for 
     testimony by James E. LePire, Billy R. Smith, and Kristine D. 
     Brown, employees of the Secretary of the Senate;
       Whereas, in the case of United States v. Robbin Tiffani 
     Stoney, Case No. M12598-97, pending in the Superior Court of 
     the District of Columbia, subpoenas have been issued for 
     testimony by James E. LePire and Billy R. Smith, employees of 
     the Secretary of the Senate;
       Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) 
     and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to 
     represent Members and employees of the Senate with respect to 
     any subpoena, order, or request for testimony relating to 
     their official responsibilities;
       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 
     may, by the judicial process, be taken from such control or 
     possession but by permission of the Senate;
       Whereas, when it appears that evidence 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 James E. LePire, Billy R. Smith, and 
     Kristine D. Brown, and any other Senate employee from whom 
     testimony may be required, are authorized to testify in the 
     cases of United States v. Tara LaJuan Edwards and United 
     States v. Robbin Tiffiani Stoney, except concerning matters 
     for which a privilege should be asserted.
       Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Senate is authorized to 
     release Senate records and documents relevant to these cases.
       Sec. 3. That the Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to 
     represent James E. LePire, Billy R. Smith, and Kristine D. 
     Brown, and any other Senate employee from whom testimony may 
     be required, in connection with United States v. Tara LaJuan 
     Edwards and United States v. Robbin Tiffani Stoney.

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