[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Bennett):
  S. 1409. A bill for the relief of Sheila Heslin of Bethesda, MD; to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.


                       private relief legislation

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill, along with 
my colleagues Senators Thompson and Bennett, that will require the 
Department of Justice to pay the legal fees of a former Federal 
employee, Sheila Heslin, who incurred these expenses as a direct result 
of the campaign finance investigations conducted by the Congress, the 
Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
  Earlier this fall, Ms. Heslin testified before the Senate 
Governmental Affairs Committee about actions she took while performing 
her official duties as an employee of the National Security Council. 
Everyone who observed her testimony was impressed with her honesty and 
courage in resisting high-level political pressure. Ms. Heslin told us 
how other governmental and political officials pressured her to approve 
a request that Roger Tamraz, a major contributor with an unsavory 
reputation, be allowed to meet with President Clinton. She resisted 
these overtures in an effort to protect the integrity of the White 
House and to ensure that our foreign policy was conducted 
appropriately. Of all the individuals who testified before the Senate 
Governmental Affairs Committee about the campaign finance problems, Ms. 
Heslin provided the best example of how career Government officials 
ought to conduct themselves. She demonstrated courage and a high regard 
for the proper conduct of U.S. foreign policy.
  Ms. Heslin participated in these proceedings as a witness, not as the 
subject of any investigation. She has provided important information on 
events and activities that may well become the subject of prosecution. 
As a result, Ms. Heslin was forced to retain private counsel to advise 
her in the various investigations because representation by Government 
counsel would have presented a clear conflict of interest.
  It is my understanding that the Department of Justice has to date 
declined to reimburse Ms. Heslin for the legal fees relating to her 
testimony before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and other 
similar inquiries. She is now a private citizen with a new baby and 
without the personal wealth to afford the legal representation her 
service as a Government employee has required. As an important and 
fully cooperative witness in these investigations, she has set an 
example that ought to not be discouraged by denying Government payment 
for outside legal representation in a case involving appropriate 
actions taken during her Federal employment.
  Under existing regulations, the Department of Justice normally 
approves the payment of legal fees for Government employees when ``the 
actions for which representation is requested reasonably appears to 
have been performed within the scope of the employees's employment'' 
and payment is ``in the interest of the United States.'' Both 
requirements have been met in the case Sheila Heslin.
  Moreover, Mr. President, in connection with other investigations, the 
Department of Justice has paid the legal fees of hundreds of Government 
employees, some of whom were high-level political appointees. For 
example, in fiscal year 1996, political appointees at the White House 
and on the Vice President's staff were reimbursed thousands of dollars 
in attorneys' fees. To deny the payment of legal fees to Ms. Heslin, 
who is not suspected of any wrongdoing, while at the same time paying 
the legal fees of many other Government employees, some of whom were 
being investigated for possible illegal activities, is simply unfair.
  Earlier this month, I asked the Attorney General to personally 
address this matter and to reverse the decision denying reimbursement 
to Ms. Heslin. I am still waiting for Attorney General Reno's response 
to my letter.
  In the absence of action by the Department of Justice, I am 
introducing this bill which directs the Attorney General to pay 
reasonable attorney's fees incurred by Ms. Heslin as a result of the 
campaign finance investigations. To ensure that such payments are not 
excessive, it is intended that the amounts be determined in accordance 
with applicable Justice Department regulations.
  Mr. President, this bill is not only for Sheila Heslin. It is also to 
send a clear message to every career Government employee who in the 
future has to choose between succumbing to inappropriate political 
pressure or doing the right thing. It is also for the American people 
who are the ultimate beneficiaries when public servants put the 
interests of the country ahead of the interests of those seeking to buy 
access and influence for their own narrow purposes.
  Mr. President, it is regrettable that we cannot do more to reward 
people who follow the high standards of conduct we all espouse. At the 
very least, we should ensure that the actions of their Government do 
not penalize them. For that reason, I hope my colleagues will support 
this measure.
                                 ______