[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 193 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       U.S. CAPITOL POLICE AND LIBRARY OF CONGRESS POLICE MERGER 
                       IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2007

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3690, just received from 
the House and at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 3690) to provide for the transfer of the 
     Library of Congress police to the United States Capitol 
     Police, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.


                         rights and protections

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I appreciate the work by my colleague, 
Senator Feinstein, who chairs the Committee on Rules and 
Administration, and by other Senators over many years to accomplish 
this merger of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Library of Congress 
Police.
  The U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police Merger and 
Implementation Act of 2007 provides that employees of the Library of 
Congress Police shall be transferred to the United States Capitol 
Police. I would like to ask my colleague Senator Feinstein about 
provisions under which the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police will make 
certain final determinations regarding the incoming Library of Congress 
Police employees that shall not be appealable or reviewable in any 
manner. It is my understanding that these provisions would generally 
prevent individuals from appealing or seeking review of the 
determinations of the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, but would not 
limit the right of any individual to seek any appropriate relief under 
the Congressional Accountability Act if these determinations by the 
Chief allegedly violated that act.
  The Congressional Accountability Act was enacted in 1995 to provide 
to congressional employees the same rights and protections that are 
available to other employees in our Nation, including protection 
against discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, 
religion, or age. My understanding is that the merger legislation would 
in no way limit the right of any employee covered under the 
Congressional Accountability Act to initiate an action regarding any 
alleged violation of rights protected under that Act. I have also been 
told that this interpretation of the legislation is shared by the Chief 
of the U.S. Capitol Police, and that Library of Congress employees 
transferring to the U.S. Capitol Police will be informed and educated 
about their rights and protections under the Congressional 
Accountability Act.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. The understanding of my colleague from Connecticut, 
Senator Lieberman, is correct. The finality provisions in this 
legislation were intended to give the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police 
authority to transfer employees and assign duties as necessary to meet 
the mission of the U.S. Capitol Police in maintaining the security of 
the Capitol complex. However, the provisions in this legislation in no 
way limit the protections and rights of an employee to seek relief 
under the Congressional Accountability Act.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Senator for her assistance and courtesy.
  Mr. DODD. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be 
considered and agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time, 
passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; that any 
statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record without 
further intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 3869) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a 
third time.
  The bill (H.R. 3690)was read the third time and passed.

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