[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9219-S9220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SENATE LEGAL COUNSEL AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 677.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 677) to authorize testimony and legal 
     representation in Ramsey, et al. v. Wilson, et al.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this resolution concerns a request for 
testimony and representation in a civil action in Federal district 
court in the Southern District of Ohio. In this action under the 
Federal Tort Claims Act, in which the plaintiffs seek damages arising 
out of an accident involving a pickup truck, the United States has 
requested testimony from a former employee in Senator Voinovich's 
office who was traveling in his own car on official Senate business at 
the time of the accident. A trial in this case is scheduled

[[Page S9220]]

to commence on November 10, 2008. Senator Voinovich would like to 
cooperate. This resolution would authorize the Senator's former staffer 
to testify in connection with this action, and in related proceedings, 
with representation from the Senate Legal Counsel.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid 
upon the table en bloc; that any statements relating to this measure be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 677) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 677

       Whereas, in the case of Ramsey, et al. v. Wilson, et al., 
     Case No. 06-82, pending in federal district court in the 
     Southern District of Ohio, the United States has requested 
     testimony from a former employee of the Office of Senator 
     George Voinovich;
       Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) 
     and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to 
     represent employees of the Senate with respect to any 
     subpoena, order, or request for testimony relating to their 
     official responsibilities;
       Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United 
     States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no 
     evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate 
     may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from 
     such control or possession but by permission of the Senate:
       Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or 
     in the possession of the Senate may promote the 
     administration of justice, the Senate will take such action 
     as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the 
     privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That Anthony Condia is authorized to testify in 
     the case of Ramsey, et al. v. Wilson, et al., and related 
     proceedings, except concerning matters for which a privilege 
     should be asserted.
       Sec. 2. The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent 
     Anthony Condia in connection with the action referenced in 
     section one of this resolution.

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