[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPREME COURT SECURITY ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as indicated by my colleague, 
H.R. 5136 would make permanent the authority of the U.S. Supreme Court 
Police to provide security for its Justices, Court employees, and 
official visitors on and off the Supreme Court grounds. The U.S. 
Supreme Court Police were first authorized by Congress to carry 
firearms and protect court personnel and visitors outside Supreme Court 
grounds in 1982. The statutory authorization was scheduled to terminate 
on December 29, 1985. In December 1985, the Congress extended such 
authorization and has done so five additional times in the subsequent 
years. The last extension occurred in October 1996, and is set to 
expire December 29, 2000.
  It is clear that the security concerns which gave rise to the 
original authorization, including threats of violence against the 
Justices and the Court, will continue for the foreseeable future. In 
addition, I am not aware of any suggestion or concern that the U.S. 
Supreme Court Police has misused its authority, or should not be 
entitled to such authority on a permanent basis.
  In fact the evidence suggests that the U.S. Supreme Court Police has 
discharged its responsibilities in an efficient and cost effective 
manner. For example, the cost of the program has been minimal. The 
Supreme Court Police work closely with the U.S. Marshal's office to 
provide security for Supreme Court Justices when they travel outside 
the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Over the past 4 years, there 
were 74 requests for Supreme Court Police protection beyond the D.C. 
metropolitan area at a total cost of $16,855, or $4,214 per year.
  In light of continuing security concerns, and the Supreme Court 
Police's record of providing appropriate protection over the past 18 
years for the Justices, Court employees, and official visitors, I 
support making the Supreme Court Polices authorization to provide 
security on and off Supreme court grounds permanent. As a result, I 
urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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