[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AUTHORIZING REPRESENTATION BY SENATE LEGAL COUNSEL

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 84, submitted by 
Senators Lott and Daschle. 
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 84) to authorize representation by 
     the Senate Legal Counsel in Timothy A. Holt v. Phil Gramm.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, a pro se plaintiff has commenced a civil 
action in Texas state court seeking damages against Senator Gramm based 
on the Senator's acts of voting and introducing legislation regarding 
the labor of foreign nationals. The action makes Senator Gramm a 
defendant solely because of acts of voting and introducing legislation 
taken in his official capacity as United States Senator. As such, the 
action is barred by the speech or debate clause of the Constitution. As 
Senators, we answer to our constituents, not to the courts, for our 
legislative activity.
  This resolution would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to represent 
Senator Gramm to seek dismissal of the matter.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, 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 any statements relating to the 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 84) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution is printed in today's Record under ``Statements on 
Submitted Resolutions.'')

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