Orrin Hatch: “I rise today to introduce what some might consider a minor bill, but one that is nonetheless the right and compelling…”

“I rise today to introduce what some might consider a minor bill, but one that is nonetheless the right and compelling thing to do for Department of Justice employees and Federal public defenders who serve their government diligently. Most of my colleagues, I believe, are familiar with this legislation, which we have been working on for several years. The same, or a similar bill, has in recent years twice passed the Senate and once been added to a crime bill conference report. Nonetheless, for reasons unrelated to this bill, it has never been signed into law. I sincerely hope that by moving this bill separately this year we can get it done. This legislation provides that current or former attorneys or agents employed by the Department of Justice or by a Federal public defender subjected to criminal or disciplinary investigations arising out of their employment duties shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees if such investigations do not result in adverse action. In reality, this bill is simply a matter of fundamental fairness.”