[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 500--TO AUTHORIZE REPRESENTATION BY THE SENATE LEGAL 
    COUNSEL IN THE CASE OF PETER P. TRUMAN V. PAULA ARMSTRONG, ET AL

  Mr. McCONNELL (for himself and Mr. Schumer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 500

       Whereas, two Senate employees, Paula Armstrong and Edie 
     Smith, have been named as defendants in the case of Peter P. 
     Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al., D. Me., currently on 
     appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First 
     Circuit, No. 18-1095; and
       Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(1) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) 
     and 288c(a)(1), the Senate may direct its counsel to defend 
     employees of the Senate in civil actions relating to their 
     official responsibilities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to 
     represent Paula Armstrong and Edie Smith in the case of Peter 
     P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.

  Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and the 
distinguished Democratic leader, Mr. Schumer, I send to the desk a 
resolution authorizing representation by the Senate Legal Counsel and 
ask for its immediate consideration.
  Mr. President, this resolution concerns a pro se civil action filed 
in Maine Federal court against two employees of Senator King's office 
regarding claims arising out of volunteer assistance the pro se 
plaintiff provided to that office. The District Court, on its own 
initiative, dismissed the lawsuit without needing to hear from the 
defendants, and the plaintiff has filed a notice of appeal.
  This resolution would authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to represent 
the Senate employees in that appeal in order to seek dismissal of the 
appeal or affirmance of the lower court's dismissal of this suit.

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