To provide for a 3-judge division of the court to determine whether cases alleging breach of secret Government contracts should be tried in court.

Summary

Directs the Chief Justice of the United States to assign three circuit court judges or justices to a division of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to determine whether an action brought in a U.S. court for compensation for services performed for the United States pursuant to a secret Government contract may be tried by the court. Prohibits the division from determining that the case cannot be heard solely on the basis of the nature of the services to be provided under the contract. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) justice or judge assignment, terms, and vacancies; (2) the court's determination of whether the information that would be disclosed in adjudicating the action would do serious damage to U.S. national security or would compromise the safety and security of intelligence sources (allows the division to prescribe steps to protect national security and intelligence sources and methods, including holding proceedings in camera); (3) case referral; (4) the effect of the division's determination; (5) other judicial assignments; and (6) support services. Makes this Act applicable to claims arising on or after December 1, 1976. Waives the statute of limitations that would otherwise apply to claims arising before enactment of this Act, provided an action is brought on such claim with two years after enactment of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 11 February 1997

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 11 February 1997

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E209-210)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 11 February 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 11 February 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 5 March 1997

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 11 February 1997 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 11 February 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 11 February 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 11 February 1997

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.