A resolution amending the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials to ensure adequate access to witnesses and documents in impeachment trials of a President or Vice President, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S1079)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 13, 2020

This resolution revises Senate procedures for impeachment trials, including to

establish a process for obtaining testimony from witnesses and relevant documents in an impeachment trial of the President or the Vice President;

make it out of order to consider a resolution or motion that would modify, supersede, waive, or be inconsistent with specified impeachment trial rules; and

require the Presiding Officer to rule on any assertion of privilege or immunity in connection with the production of evidence in an impeachment trial of the President or the Vice President.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · D–OR

Committees

Rules and Administration Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Feb 13, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S1079)
Feb 13, 2020
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Feb 13, 2020 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

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: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.501 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.501, 116th Congress: A resolution amending the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials to ensure adequate access to witnesses and documents in impeachment trials of a President or Vice President, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/501

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2020-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres501/BILLS-116sres501is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:22:36Z. 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.501 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.501 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.501, 116th Congress: A resolution amending the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials to ensure adequate access to witnesses and documents in impeachment trials of a President or Vice President, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/501

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2020-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres501/BILLS-116sres501is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:22:36Z. 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.501 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.501 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.501, 116th Congress: A resolution amending the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials to ensure adequate access to witnesses and documents in impeachment trials of a President or Vice President, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/501

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2020-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres501/BILLS-116sres501is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:22:36Z. 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.501 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.501 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.501, 116th Congress: A resolution amending the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Senate When Sitting on Impeachment Trials to ensure adequate access to witnesses and documents in impeachment trials of a President or Vice President, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/501

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2020-02-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/sres501/BILLS-116sres501is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:22:36Z. 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.501 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.