Judiciary Panel Reports Leahy Bill
To Extend Supreme Court Police Authority

 

WASHINGTON (Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008) – A bill to extend the authority of the U.S. Supreme Court Police to protect justices and court officials when outside the Supreme Court grounds was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.  It will now head to the Senate for consideration.

 

The legislation was introduced in July by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Without congressional action, the authority of the Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds will expire at the end of the year.  The Leahy legislation would provide a five-year extension, giving the Supreme Court Police the authority to provide protection the Supreme Court Justices until 2013. 

 

“If Congress fails to pass this legislation before it adjourns, the lives of the Supreme Court justices could be threatened,” said Leahy.  “This is a bill that should pass by unanimous consent.  I hope that the Republican objection that stalled it’s consideration by the Senate before the August recess will be lifted, and the Senate can approve this bill quickly.”

 

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