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S.Res. 500Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)Passed Congress

A resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.

Sponsored by Mitch McConnellSen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Introduced April 26, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:29 PM UTC

This resolution lets the Senate’s legal office step in to defend two Senate staff members, Paula Armstrong and Edie Smith, who are named as defendants in a federal appeal. It uses authority from the Ethics in Government Act to allow the Senate to provide legal representation for its employees in civil cases tied to their official work.

Key Provisions

  • The Senate authorizes its legal counsel to defend Senate employees Paula Armstrong and Edie Smith in the lawsuit Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.
  • The authorization is based on the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which permits the Senate to direct counsel to represent employees in civil actions related to their official duties.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateFloor Latest Action

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2498; text: CR S2497)

April 26, 2018

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 26, 2018

SenateFloor

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2498; text: CR S2497)

April 26, 2018

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 500 on the floor

1 Republican
Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Apr 26, 2018

Mr. President, on behalf of myself and the distinguished Democratic leader, Mr. Schumer, I send to the desk a resolution authorizing representation by the Senate Legal Counsel and ask for its…

Record
Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Apr 26, 2018

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of S. Res. 489 through and including S. Res. 500, which were submitted earlier today. I know of no…

Record

Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued April 26, 2018

III

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 500

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 26, 2018

Mr. McConnell (for himself and Mr. Schumer) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

To authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.

Whereas, two Senate employees, Paula Armstrong and Edie Smith, have been named as defendants in the case of Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al., D. Me., currently on appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, No. 18–1095; and

Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(1) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. §§ 288b(a) and 288c(a)(1), the Senate may direct its counsel to defend employees of the Senate in civil actions relating to their official responsibilities: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent Paula Armstrong and Edie Smith in the case of Peter P. Truman v. Paula Armstrong, et al.