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SRES 170
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A resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator.

To authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator.

Introduced Apr 10, 2025

Latest action (Apr 10, 2025) Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2542; text: CR S2569)

Policy area
Congress
Legislative subjects (4)
Civil actions and liabilityLawyers and legal servicesMembers of CongressSenate

Summary

This Senate resolution authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator Ronald Wyden in a civil case pending in the Oregon Supreme Court. The case, Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator, relates to Wyden's official responsibilities as a senator. Under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the Senate may direct its counsel to defend members in civil actions arising from their official duties.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.

Sponsor (1)
1 cosponsor

Actions (3)
  1. Apr 10, 2025 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2542; text: CR S2569) · senate
  2. Apr 10, 2025 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
  3. Apr 10, 2025 Introduced in Senate

More bills on these subjects (8)

Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).

  • HR 7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (shares 3 subjects)
  • S 1071 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (shares 3 subjects)
  • HR 6019 — To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. (shares 3 subjects)
  • HRES 1424 — Expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Lindsey Graham. (shares 2 subjects)
  • SRES 755 — A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for the State of Michigan. (shares 2 subjects)
  • SRES 745 — A resolution to authorize production of records to the United States Attorney. (shares 2 subjects)
  • SRES 739 — A resolution honoring the life and legacy of John Seymour, the late Senator for the State of California. (shares 2 subjects)
  • SRES 526 — A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs. (shares 2 subjects)

Similar bills (6)

Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.

  • SRES 478 — A resolution to authorize testimony, document production, and representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of United States v. Kaminski. · Passed Senate Oct 30, 2025 · Cong. 119 59%
  • SRES 199 — An original resolution directing the Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil action to enforce a subpoena of the Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters to William H. Kennedy, III. · Passed Senate Dec 20, 1995 · Cong. 104 57%
  • SRES 609 — A resolution to authorize testimony and representation in United States v. Crouse. · Passed Senate Feb 12, 2026 · Cong. 119 54%
  • SRES 745 — A resolution to authorize production of records to the United States Attorney. · Passed Senate May 20, 2026 · Cong. 119 54%
  • SRES 262 — A resolution to authorize testimony, document production, and representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of In re Architect of the Capitol Employment Dispute. · Passed Senate Jun 4, 2025 · Cong. 119 54%
  • SRES 65 — An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on the Judiciary. · Introduced Feb 6, 2025 · Cong. 119 52%

Text versions (1)
  • Agreed to Senate · Apr 10, 2025

Only one text version is on file, so there’s no earlier version to compare against yet.

Full text

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 10, 2025

Mr. Thune (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 Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator.

Whereas, Senator Ronald Wyden has been named as a respondent in the case of Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator. No. S071813, pending in the Oregon Supreme Court; and Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(1) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a) and 288c(a)(1), the Senate may direct its counsel to defend Members of the Senate in civil actions relating to their official responsibilities: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent Senator Wyden named in the case of Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator. <all>

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