[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE AND TO REPORT EVIDENCE WITH 
 RESPECT TO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST JUDGE G. THOMAS PORTEOUS, 
                                  JR.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and the distinguished 
Republican leader, Mr. McConnell, I send a resolution to the desk on 
the appointment of an impeachment trial committee and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 458) to provide for the appointment 
     of a committee to receive and to report evidence with respect 
     to articles of impeachment against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, 
     Jr.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the resolution.
  The resolution (S. Res. 458) was agreed to, as follows:

                              S. Res. 458

       Resolved, That pursuant to Rule XI of the Rules of 
     Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on 
     Impeachment Trials, the Presiding Officer shall appoint a 
     committee of twelve senators to perform the duties and to 
     exercise the powers provided for in the rule.
       Sec. 2. The majority and minority leader shall each 
     recommend six members, including a chairman and vice 
     chairman, respectively, to the Presiding Officer for 
     appointment to the committee.
       Sec. 3. The committee shall be deemed to be a standing 
     committee of the Senate for the purpose of reporting to the 
     Senate resolutions for the criminal or civil enforcement of 
     the committee's subpoenas or orders, and for the purpose of 
     printing reports, hearings, and other documents for 
     submission to the Senate under Rule XI.
       Sec. 4. During proceedings conducted under Rule XI the 
     chairman of the committee is authorized to waive the 
     requirement under the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the 
     Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials that questions by a 
     Senator to a witness, a manager, or counsel shall be reduced 
     to writing and put by the Presiding Officer.
       Sec. 5. In addition to a certified copy of the transcript 
     of the proceedings and testimony had and given before it, the 
     committee is authorized to report to the Senate a statement 
     of facts that are uncontested and a summary, with appropriate 
     references to the record, of evidence that the parties have 
     introduced on contested issues of fact.
       Sec. 6(a). The actual and necessary expenses of the 
     committee, including the employment of staff at an annual 
     rate of pay, and the employment of consultants with prior 
     approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration at a 
     rate not to exceed the maximum daily rate for a standing 
     committee of the Senate, shall be paid from the contingent 
     fund of the Senate from the appropriation account 
     ``Miscellaneous Items'' upon vouchers approved by the 
     chairman of the committee, except that no voucher shall be 
     required to pay the salary of any employee who is compensated 
     at an annual rate of pay.
       (b). In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions 
     under this resolution, the committee is authorized, in its 
     discretion and with the prior consent of the Government 
     department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       Sec. 7. The committee appointed pursuant to section one of 
     this resolution shall terminate no later than 60 days after 
     the pronouncement of judgment by the Senate on the articles 
     of impeachment.
       Sec. 8. The Secretary shall notify the House of 
     Representatives and counsel for Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. 
     of this resolution.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the 
resolution was agreed to.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I move to lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

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