Legis Daily

Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act

USA115th CongressS-2644| Senate 
| Updated: 4/26/2018
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (3)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code to codify certain Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations that govern the appointment, oversight, and removal of a special counsel, including regulations: that authorize the Attorney General to appoint and select a special counsel; that establish the qualifications, scope of jurisdiction, and authority of a special counsel; and that authorize the Attorney General to remove a special counsel for misconduct or other good cause. Additionally, the bill provides new statutory limitations and requirements with respect to the removal from office of a special counsel. Specifically, the bill: requires removal to be by the Attorney General or, in certain circumstances, the most senior Senate-confirmed DOJ official; requires a special counsel to be provided written notice that specifies the reason for removal; and allows a special counsel to challenge the removal in federal court. The limitations and requirements with respect to removal apply retroactively in the case of a special counsel who is appointed after January 1, 2017, and removed before the date of enactment. Finally, the bill requires DOJ to notify Congress when a special counsel is appointed, before a special counsel is removed, and after a special counsel's investigation concludes.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Apr 11, 2018
Introduced in Senate
Apr 11, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 26, 2018
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 26, 2018
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 26, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.
  • April 11, 2018
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 11, 2018
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 26, 2018
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • April 26, 2018
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • April 26, 2018
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-5505: To ensure independent investigations and judicial review of the removal of a special counsel, and for other purposes.
  • HR 115-5476: To ensure independent investigations and judicial review of the removal of a special counsel, and for other purposes.
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of JusticeFederal officialsGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionJudicial review and appealsSupreme Court

Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act

USA115th CongressS-2644| Senate 
| Updated: 4/26/2018
Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code to codify certain Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations that govern the appointment, oversight, and removal of a special counsel, including regulations: that authorize the Attorney General to appoint and select a special counsel; that establish the qualifications, scope of jurisdiction, and authority of a special counsel; and that authorize the Attorney General to remove a special counsel for misconduct or other good cause. Additionally, the bill provides new statutory limitations and requirements with respect to the removal from office of a special counsel. Specifically, the bill: requires removal to be by the Attorney General or, in certain circumstances, the most senior Senate-confirmed DOJ official; requires a special counsel to be provided written notice that specifies the reason for removal; and allows a special counsel to challenge the removal in federal court. The limitations and requirements with respect to removal apply retroactively in the case of a special counsel who is appointed after January 1, 2017, and removed before the date of enactment. Finally, the bill requires DOJ to notify Congress when a special counsel is appointed, before a special counsel is removed, and after a special counsel's investigation concludes.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 11, 2018
Introduced in Senate
Apr 11, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 26, 2018
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 26, 2018
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Apr 26, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.
  • April 11, 2018
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 11, 2018
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 26, 2018
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • April 26, 2018
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • April 26, 2018
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (3)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 115-5505: To ensure independent investigations and judicial review of the removal of a special counsel, and for other purposes.
  • HR 115-5476: To ensure independent investigations and judicial review of the removal of a special counsel, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of JusticeFederal officialsGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionJudicial review and appealsSupreme Court