April 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 61 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S2333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 151--TO AUTHORIZE TESTIMONY, DOCUMENTS, AND 
              REPRESENTATION IN UNITED STATES V. PRATERSCH

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

                              S. Res. 151

       Whereas, in the case of United States v. Pratersch, Cr. No. 
     19-26, pending in the United States District Court for the 
     Middle District of Florida, the prosecution has requested the 
     production of testimony from Greta Hasler, an employee of the 
     office of Senator Bernard Sanders;
       Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) 
     and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to 
     represent current and former Members and employees of the 
     Senate with respect to any subpoena, order, or request for 
     testimony relating to their official responsibilities;
       Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United 
     States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no 
     evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate 
     may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from 
     such control or possession but by permission of the Senate; 
     and
       Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or 
     in the possession of the Senate may promote the 
     administration of justice, the Senate will take such action 
     as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the 
     privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That Greta Hasler, an employee of the Office of 
     Senator Bernard Sanders, and any other current or former 
     employee of the Senator's office from whom relevant evidence 
     may be necessary, are authorized to testify and produce 
     documents in the case of United States v. Pratersch, except 
     concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted.
       Sec. 2.  The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to 
     represent Senator Sanders and any current or former employees 
     of his office in connection with the production of evidence 
     authorized in section one of this resolution.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and the 
distinguished Democratic leader, Mr. Schumer, I send to the desk a 
resolution authorizing the production of testimony, documents, and 
representation by the Senate Legal Counsel, and ask for its immediate 
consideration.
  Mr. President, this resolution concerns a request for evidence in a 
criminal action pending in Florida Federal district court. In this 
action the defendant is charged with threatening to assault and murder 
Senator Sanders in voicemails he left with the Senator's Burlington, 
Vermont office. A trial is scheduled for April 29, 2019.
  The prosecution is seeking testimony from one of the Senator's staff 
assistants who listened to the voicemails at issue. Senator Sanders 
would like to cooperate with this request by providing relevant 
employee testimony and documents from his office.
  The enclosed resolution would authorize that staffer, and any other 
current or former employee of the Senator's office from whom relevant 
evidence may be necessary, to testify and produce documents in this 
action, with representation by the Senate Legal Counsel of such 
staffers and Senator Sanders.

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