Ted Deutch: “Section 1983 that my friend, the chairman, refers to as to providing attorney's fees, requires a determination of…”

“Section 1983 that my friend, the chairman, refers to as to providing attorney's fees, requires a determination of attorney's fees by the number of hours reasonably expended on litigation multiplied by a reasonable hourly fee. {time} 1700 This bill is very different from that. Instead of referring to hours and an hourly rate reasonably spent by an attorney, this bill requires the court to establish the value of the actual, equitable, or injunctive relief. As I have suggested already, I cannot think of anyone who would believe that we should leave it up to a court to put a value on our constitutional rights that are, without question, priceless in our democracy. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this good amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”