[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPREME COURT AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 707, S. 2742.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2742) to extend certain authority of the Supreme 
     Court Police, modify the venue of prosecutions relating to 
     the Supreme Court building and grounds, and authorize the 
     acceptance of gifts to the United States Supreme Court, and 
     for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of 
S. 2742, which is a short but important piece of legislation that 
Senator Hatch and I have cosponsored at the request of the Supreme 
Court. This legislation would renew authority to provide security for 
the Justices when they leave the Supreme Court. Recent reports of the 
assault of Justice Souter when he was outside of the Supreme Court 
highlight the importance of security for Justices. If no congressional 
action is taken, the authority of Supreme Court police to protect 
Justices off court grounds will expire at the end of this year.
  Another provision in this legislation allows the Supreme Court to 
accept gifts ``pertaining to the history of the Supreme Court of the 
United States or its justices.'' The Administrative Office of the 
Courts currently has statutory authority to accept gifts on behalf of 
the judiciary. This provision would grant the Supreme Court authority 
to accept gifts but it would narrow the types of gifts that can be 
received to historical items. I think this provision strikes the proper 
balance.
  Finally, this legislation also would provide an additional venue for 
the prosecution of offenses that occur on the Supreme Court grounds. 
Currently, the DC Superior Court is the only place of proper venue 
despite the uniquely Federal interest at stake. This legislation would 
allow suit to be brought in United States District Court in the 
District of Columbia.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Hatch 
amendment at the desk be agreed to, that the bill, as amended, be read 
the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 3729) was agreed to, as follows:

 (Purpose: To provide for authority to accept gifts pertaining to the 
         history of the Supreme Court, and for other purposes)

       On page 2, lines 22 and 23, strike ``for the purpose of 
     aiding or facilitating the work of the United States Supreme 
     Court,'' and insert ``pertaining to the history of the United 
     States Supreme Court or its justices,''.

  The bill (S. 2742), as amended, was read the third time and passed, 
as follows:

                                S. 2742

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE UNITED STATES 
                   SUPREME COURT POLICE TO PROTECT COURT OFFICIALS 
                   OFF THE SUPREME COURT GROUNDS.

       Section 6121(b)(2) of title 40, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2004'' and inserting ``2008''.

     SEC. 2. VENUE FOR PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO THE UNITED STATES 
                   SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND GROUNDS.

       Section 6137 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Venue and Procedure.--Prosecution for a violation 
     described in subsection (a) shall be in the United States 
     District Court for the District of Columbia or in the 
     Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on information by 
     the United States Attorney or an Assistant United States 
     Attorney.''.

     SEC. 3. GIFTS TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

       The Chief Justice or his designee is authorized to accept, 
     hold, administer, and utilize gifts and bequests of personal 
     property pertaining to the history of the United States 
     Supreme Court or its justices, but gifts or bequests of money 
     shall be covered into the Treasury.

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