Jim Sensenbrenner: “Mr. Speaker, S. 2742 contains three provisions that will benefit the administrative operations of the U.S. Supreme…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 2742 contains three provisions that will benefit the administrative operations of the U.S. Supreme Court. First, the bill renews until 2008 authority provided under current law that allows the Supreme Court police to provide security for the Justices when they leave the Supreme Court premises. The Supreme Court police offer that protection, and without this extension, their services would be confined to the immediate area of the Court's grounds. In other words, they would not travel with the Justices when they vacation or speak out of the area, a responsibility that is imposed upon the Marshal's Service when necessary. The need for this protection is illustrated by the recent assault on Justice Souter near his home. Second, S. 2742 creates statutory authority for the Court to accept gifts. The scope of this text was narrowed with the Committee on the Judiciary's input and is now limited exclusively to gifts 'pertaining to the history of the Court or its Justices.' The Court presently may accept gifts based on Comptroller General opinions. Third, this legislation empowers the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, along with the D.C. Superior Court, to adjudicate cases relating to crimes committed in the Supreme Court building and on Court grounds.”