[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING THE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS BY THE PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON 
                             INVESTIGATIONS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 555, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 555) to authorize the production of 
     records by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST, Mr. President, the Permanent Subcommittee on 
Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs has received requests from various law enforcement and 
regulatory agencies seeking access to records that the subcommittee 
obtained during its recent investigation into the use of offshore tax 
havens for abusive tax shelters.
  This resolution would authorize the chairman and ranking minority 
member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, acting jointly, 
to provide records, obtained by the Subcommittee in the course of its 
investigation, in response to these requests.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 555) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
       Whereas, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
     has been conducting an investigation into the use of offshore 
     tax havens for abusive tax shelters;
       Whereas, the Subcommittee has received a number of requests 
     from law enforcement officials, and regulatory agencies, for 
     access to records of the Subcommittee's investigation;
       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 
     can, by administrative or judicial 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 is needed for the promotion 
     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 the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of 
     the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, acting 
     jointly, are authorized to provide to law enforcement 
     officials, regulatory agencies, and other entities or 
     individuals duly authorized by federal, state, or foreign 
     governments, records of the Subcommittee's investigation into 
     the use of offshore tax havens for abusive tax shelters.

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