[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 119 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself and Mr. Specter):
  S. 3296. A bill to extend the authority of the United States Supreme 
Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court Grounds 
and change the title of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief 
Justice; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation cosponsored 
by Senator Specter that would extend for 5 years the authority of the 
United States Supreme Court Police to protect Supreme Court Justices 
when they leave the Supreme Court grounds. In January of this year, 
after months of compromise, the Court Security Improvement Act was 
signed into law to authorize additional resources to protect Federal 
judges, personnel, and courthouses. The bill that we are introducing 
today would extend the authority of the U.S. Supreme Court Police to 
protect the Supreme Court Justices on and off Court grounds. It would 
also change the title of the Chief Justice's senior advisor from 
``Administrative Assistant'' to ``Counselor.'' The administrative 
assistant position was created by statute in 1972.
  We have extended the U.S. Supreme Court Police's authority to protect 
Justices before, the last time in 2004. This authority expires at the 
end of this year. I urge Senators to pass this legislation quickly so 
we can provide Supreme Court Justices the protection that they need as 
they serve our country.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3296

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

     SECTION 1. UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT POLICE AND COUNSELOR 
                   TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

       (a) Extension of Authority of 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 ``2008'' and inserting ``2013''.
       (b) Counselor to the Chief Justice.--
       (1) Office of federal judicial administration.--Section 
     133(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``administrative assistant'' and inserting 
     ``Counselor''.
       (2) Judicial official.--Section 376(a) of title 28, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(E), by striking ``an administrative 
     assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking ``an administrative 
     assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''.
       (3) Administrative assistant to the chief justice.--
       (A) In general.--Section 677 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (i) in the section heading, by striking ``Administrative 
     Assistant'' and inserting ``Counselor'';
       (ii) in subsection (a)--

       (I) in the first sentence, by striking ``an Administrative 
     Assistant'' and inserting ``a Counselor''; and
       (II) in the second and third sentences, by striking 
     ``Administrative Assistant'' each place that term appears and 
     inserting ``Counselor''; and

       (iii) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking 
     ``Administrative Assistant'' each place that term appears and 
     inserting ``Counselor''.
       (B) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 
     45 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 677 and inserting the following:

``677. Counselor to the Chief Justice.''.

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