A resolution authorizing the acceptance of pro bono legal services by a Member of the Senate challenging the validity of a Federal Statute in a civil action pursuant to a statute expressly authorizing Members of Congress to bring such a civil action.

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12369)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 3, 1996

Provides that pro bono legal services provided to a Member of the Senate with respect to a civil action challenging the validity of a Federal statute that expressly authorizes a Member to file an action shall not: (1) be deemed a gift to the Member nor a contribution to the Member's office account; or (2) require the establishment of a legal expense trust fund. Directs the Select Committee on Ethics to establish regulations providing for the public disclosure of information relating to such pro bono legal services provided.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV] · D–WV

Committees

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 3, 1996
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12369)
Oct 3, 1996
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12369)
Oct 3, 1996
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Agreed to Senate · Oct 3, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Oct 26, 2016. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.321 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.321, 104th Congress: A resolution authorizing the acceptance of pro bono legal services by a Member of the Senate challenging the validity of a Federal Statute in a civil action pursuant to a statute expressly authorizing Members of Congress to bring such a civil action.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-resolution/321

Text version to examine: Agreed to Senate · 1996-10-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/sres321/BILLS-104sres321ats.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2016-10-26T07:52:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.321 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.321 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.321, 104th Congress: A resolution authorizing the acceptance of pro bono legal services by a Member of the Senate challenging the validity of a Federal Statute in a civil action pursuant to a statute expressly authorizing Members of Congress to bring such a civil action.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-resolution/321

Text version to examine: Agreed to Senate · 1996-10-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/sres321/BILLS-104sres321ats.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2016-10-26T07:52:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.321 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.321 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.321, 104th Congress: A resolution authorizing the acceptance of pro bono legal services by a Member of the Senate challenging the validity of a Federal Statute in a civil action pursuant to a statute expressly authorizing Members of Congress to bring such a civil action.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-resolution/321

Text version to examine: Agreed to Senate · 1996-10-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/sres321/BILLS-104sres321ats.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2016-10-26T07:52:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.321 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.321 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.321, 104th Congress: A resolution authorizing the acceptance of pro bono legal services by a Member of the Senate challenging the validity of a Federal Statute in a civil action pursuant to a statute expressly authorizing Members of Congress to bring such a civil action.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-resolution/321

Text version to examine: Agreed to Senate · 1996-10-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/sres321/BILLS-104sres321ats.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2016-10-26T07:52:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.321 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.