H.R. 277 (111^th): Special Criminal Contempt of Congress Procedures Act of 2009

Scope of application

If the House of Representatives finds a current or former officer or employee of the Executive branch has violated section 102 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 192), the procedures of this Act apply.

Certification by Speaker

Upon the finding by the House of Representatives of a violation to which this Act applies, the Speaker shall certify that finding to the appropriate United States attorney, whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand jury for its action.

Circumstances leading to appointment of special counsel

If—

Appointment, qualifications, and prosecutorial jurisdiction of special counsel

Authority of special counsel with respect to matters within prosecutorial jurisdiction

With respect to all matters in that special counsel's prosecutorial jurisdiction, a special counsel appointed under this Act shall have full power and independent authority to exercise all prosecutorial functions and powers, and any other functions and powers normally ancillary thereto, of the Department of Justice, the Attorney General, and any other officer or employee of the Department of Justice, except that the Attorney General shall exercise direction or control as to those matters that specifically require the Attorney General's personal action under section 2516 of title 18, United States Code.

Compliance With Policies of the Department of Justice

Salary

The special counsel shall receive a salary equivalent to the salary of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Staff

The special counsel may appoint and fix the salaries of such staff, not to exceed 12 in number, as the special counsel deems necessary to carry out the functions of the special counsel under this Act. However, no salary of a member of such staff may exceed the salary of the special counsel.

Expenses

The Department of Justice shall pay all costs relating to the establishment and operation of any office of special counsel. The Attorney General shall submit to the Congress, not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, a report on amounts paid during that fiscal year for expenses of investigations and prosecutions the special counsel.

Report to Congress

Each special counsel shall report to Congress annually on the special counsel’s activities under this Act. The report shall include a description of the progress of any investigation or prosecution conducted by the special counsel and provide information justifying the costs of the activities reported on.

In general

A special counsel may be removed from office, other than by impeachment and conviction, only by the personal action of the Attorney General, and only for good cause, physical or mental disability, or any other condition that substantially impairs the performance of that special counsel’s duties.

Report upon removal

If a special counsel is removed from office, the Attorney General shall promptly submit to the Chief Judge and to Congress a report specifying the facts found and the ultimate grounds for the removal.

Judicial review of removal

A special counsel removed from office may obtain judicial review of the removal in a civil action. The Chief Judge may not hear or determine any such civil action or any appeal of a decision in any such civil action. The special counsel may be reinstated or granted other appropriate relief by order of the court.

Appointment of replacement

Upon removal of a special counsel, the Chief Judge shall appoint a similarly qualified individual to continue the functions of the special counsel.

In general

The authority of the special counsel shall cease two years after the date of the special counsel’s appointment, but the Chief Judge may extend that authority for an additional period not to exceed one year, if the Chief Judge finds good cause to do so. Good cause to do so includes that the investigation or prosecution undertaken by the special counsel has been delayed by dilatory tactics by persons who could provide evidence that would significantly assist the investigation or prosecution, and also includes the need to allow the special counsel to participate in any appellate proceedings related to prosecutions engaged in by the special counsel.

Termination by Court

The Chief Judge, either on the judge’s own motion or upon the request of the Attorney General, may terminate an office of special counsel at any time, on the ground that the investigation of all matters within the prosecutorial jurisdiction of such special counsel, and any resulting prosecutions, have been completed or so substantially completed that it would be appropriate for the Department of Justice to complete such investigations and prosecutions.