A resolution to authorize the payment of legal expenses of Senate employees out of the contingent fund of the Senate.

Mr. President, earlier this week the joint leadership group of the Senate made the following recommendation to Senate legal counsel regarding representation of two Senate employees in an upcoming judicial proceeding:

Recommendation of Action To Avoid Conflict or Inconsistency in the

Representation of Senate Parties

Having been notified of an apparent conflict of interest by

the Senate Legal Counsel pursuant to Sec. 710(a) of the

Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. 288i(a), and

as contemplated by Sec. 710(b) and (d) of that Act, 2 U.S.C.

Sec. 288i(b) and (d), it is recommended that the Senate Legal

Counsel take the following action in order to avoid a

potential conflict that could arise between the Legal

Counsel's responsibilities to the Select Committee on Ethics

and representation of Jean Manning and Erica Watkins, Senate

employees who are being subpoenaed to testify and produce

documents before a federal grand jury. In the event that Ms.

Manning or Ms. Watkins requests legal representation in

connection with her appearance before the grand jury, the

Senate Legal Counsel shall refer Ms. Manning and Ms. Watkins

to the Committee on Rules and Administration for assistance

in arranging for the employment of private counsel to

represent them with respect to official actions and

responsibilities.

The Joint Leadership Group

Ms. Manning and Ms. Watkins have now contacted the Committee on Rules and Administration for assistance in arranging for the employment of private counsel to represent them with respect to testimony and document production before the Federal grand jury in the District of Columbia.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 92, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.