A bill establishing an Office of Congressional Legal Counsel.

Summary

Establishes within the Congress the Office of Congressional Legal Counsel, under the direction of the Congressional Legal Counsel who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate from among recommendations submitted by the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Makes it the duty of the Congressional Legal Counsel: (1) to render upon request of either House of Congress, a joint committee of Congress, any committee of either House of Congress, at least three Senators, or twelve Members of the House of Representatives, legal opinions upon questions arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States; (2) to advise with parties bring civil actions against officers and employees of the executive branch of the United States Government or any agency or department thereof, with respect to their execution of the laws, and the Constitution of the United States; (3) to intervene or appear as amicus curiae on behalf of persons making such request; (4) to represent, upon request, either House of Congress, a joint committee of Congress, any committee of either House of Congress, a Member of Congress, or any officer, employee, office, or agency of the Congress in specified legal actions and (5) if an opinion has been rendered, and upon request, to bring civil actions, without regard to the sum or value of the matter in controversy, in a court of the United States to require an officer or employee of the executive branch of the United States Government, or any agency or department thereof, to act in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States as interpreted in such opinion. States that the Congressional Legal Counsel, or any attorney of his office designated by him for that purpose, shall be entitled, for the purpose of performing duties imposed upon him pursuant to this Act, to enter an appearance in any such proceeding before any court of the United States without compliance with any requirement for admission to practice before such court, except the Supreme Court. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Office of the Congressional Legal Counsel such sums as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Congressional Legal Counsel under this Act. Provides that amounts so appropriated shall be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate on vouchers approved by the Congressional Legal Counsel.

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1 official file

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 11 October 1973

  Open at official source

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