On the recordJanuary 20, 2015
Very briefly on Senator Lee's amendment--he will be here to speak to it--this is a measure which would ensure that the rate of legal fees that are paid in Endangered Species Act cases would be consistent with those in other cases that are eligible for lawyer's fee compensation. Right now there is no cap on the hourly rate lawyers can be paid in connection with lawsuits that are brought regarding violations under the ESA. So this amendment would standardize the award of attorney's fees to parties prevailing against the Federal Government by applying a $125-an-hour rate cap under the Equal Access to Justice Act requirement. This applies to small business-related claims, among other things, and this would apply the same standard to ESA cases. This is a measure Senator Lee will come to the floor to speak to further, but I would just give a little preview of that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
